This was my first organized race again since having spinal fusion surgery 7 1/2 months ago. It felt really good to be out with the masses again. As per norm, I started out faster than I really should have, so I was feeling it at the end. My last mile was nearly a full minute slower than mile 1. Of course, I think part of the reason I slowed down in the last mile was that I kept getting distracted by the surfer boys and dolphins playing in the ocean as we neared the finish line. LOL

I think the highlight of the day for me was getting to do the race with my dear friend, MrsUSMC. It was her first race EVER and I was thrilled to be there to share it with her. Her tri-hubby also ran the race, but he went with the 2nd group that started 45 minutes after us. She said she heard him cheering us on as we looped back near the starting line at one point, but I didn't hear him. I guess I was really focused on making that corner. LOL

All in all, I was pretty pleased with how I did. I was pretty concerned going into it how I would do because I ended up having to help schlep a bunch of computer equipment up and down 2 flights of stairs the day before the race. My right ankle and heel were already hurting before we even started, so I was just hoping that I wouldn't have a DNF. I managed to get in a few segments of running using a 3:1 walk to run ratio before my ankle told me to f**k off and just walk. I hung with it just walking from about the 1.5 mile mark though and made it to the finish. Hell, I wasn't even DFL so that was even better! ;)

Uhmmm...not do any heavy lifting the day before the race. ;) I also wish I would've had some running gloves. My hands were pretty cold up until midway through mile 2. Line up at the starting area earlier.

Walked around for a bit and then circled back around to see MrsUSMC's hubby finish his race. After that, the three of us walked around a bit more, hit a local coffee bar, and then headed back to the cars.


Right ankle & heel hurting before the race even started. Getting stuck back in the walkers section. It took quite a while to get around the walkers, people with strollers, people more interested in talking than walking/running, etc.