First, getting to run with ChipmunkHeart is fantastic - she's totally fun & sweet & I don't think I would have done nearly as well without her. Once we got going, the low temps became a non-issue, we both admitted it was a really gorgeous day for a run. (As long as you weren't in shorts.)

Basically ran about 98% of the course - 2 shoelace stops, walked through the water break, and a brief hurl stop just before the end - I am insanely pleased with myself over the lack of walking.

First two miles in around 20 minutes - felt terrific, but was definitely happy to see the water station somewhere after 2 so we could walk for a little bit. No problems starting back up again, missed the 3rd mile marker, but somewhere between 3 & 4, there were some Marines just *watching*, so had to throw out a little smacktalking for that. The fact that at this point I'd been running for at least 3.5 miles w/just one little walk break and could still a) hold a conversation w/Chippy & b) yell at Marines was fantastic.

Saw the mile 4 marker and looked at my watch, and started shouting a lot of very happy obscenities, as we were just past 42 minutes. Holy crap, it sure looks like I'm gonna truly break an 11 minute mile.

Coming down to the track at the end, I was getting HOT. Said screw it, and off with the sweatshirt & the t-shirt. About 50 yards out from the finish, I realize I'm gonna hurl, there is just no way around it between pushing myself and the fact that my nose has been running the whole time cause of the temps. I turned to Chipmunk & said "Gimme just a sec", stepped off the track, tossed my cookies, straightened up and sprinted the rest of the way into the chute. (I don't know if she could tell but I was laughing cause all I could think was "if you're not puking, you're not trying!")

There was no way on God's green earth I was gonna walk across the finish line after coming that far, puking or not. And I broke 11 minute miles.

Would have preferred to hold off on the hurling until after the finish line, but other than that, it was great!

First, SAT DOWN - thank heavens for those benches just inside the chute. Then tried to stand up to get my chip off my shoe and nearly fell over. :) Got that taken care of, then water, bagels, cookies and streching.


Honestly? Nothing. I can truly say I went out and didn't hold back and kicked ass. It was terrific.


It was a fun race, lots of families and kids (though it does hurt a bit to get smoked by several 8 year olds, but I tell myself they are just made of energy.) Pretty course, less hills than I'd expected (yay!), well organized and I just had a really, really good time.