This was my first half-marathon race. I had taken the previous week off from any physical activity due to a knee issue. Glad I did...figured I would be in pain...but wanted to start with no pain and work my way into pain. Plan worked perfectly...haha. Debated whether or not to dress for start time weather or mid-run weather...20 mins before "kick-off"...decided to go with my brother's suggestion of running back to the car and grabbing warmer clothes...good call Chris (karhooligan)...The first couple miles were a piece of cake...then our "plan" started to be altered a bit...karhooligan - having the thible sized bladder - had to make a tree stop...I slowed the pace a bit for him to catch up...which he did rather quickly...at mile 4...my mother nature was calling...so, being a bashfull person...I chose to wait in line for the port-a-potty. The "plan" was for karhooligan to slow the pace for me to catch up...well...after relieving myself...I went back against the traffic (to get back on course on the correct side of the metal barrier fence) and took off to catch up to my brother...(meanwhile - karhooligan decided to wait for me at the end of all the stalls)...so I flew by him and didn't even know it...after .5 miles or so...I realized: A) I was out of breath from sprinting to catch up my bro; B) He had decided to keep going and left me in the dust...so, I slowed my pace back to my running speed (it's about 1 min. slower than my brothers)...and I had given up on the idea of running the final 9 miles side by side with him...so then...between mile 7 and 8...I start hearing my full name being yelled...I am startled to hear it coming from BEHIND ME...it's my brother...First thought (why the hell am I in front of him)...Second thought (why the hell is he behind me)...either way...Lucy had some splainin to do...turns out...Chris had waiting (jogging in place mind you) at the other end of the potty's for me to come out...never knowing that I had gotten out...went the other way (to get back on course) and then sprinted through...so after a couple of songs had finished blaring in the loud speakers they had set up at mile 4 or 5...he gave up on me - figuring I was doin' a sit down and that i was going to be a while...LMAO)...fortunately, between 7 and 8 mile...we were reunited...and it felt so good! He had shed his outer clothing...so I did the same...much better feeling to be cold again...ha ha. So around mile 10...right knee pain crept in...into my head and out my mouth...I kept complaining to Chris about it...he didn't want to hear it...he wanted me to suck it up (which I was doing...but I wanted to share how I was feeling...haha)...we finished up "strong" (for me anyway)...Here's my splits:

Lap 1: 10:12/145 bpm
Lap 2: 9:56/159 bpm
Lap 3: 9:54/161 bpm
Lap 4: 12:37/158 bpm (potty break - long line)
Lap 5: 10:23/166 bpm
Lap 6: 10:01/168 bpm
Lap 7: 10:19/165 bpm
Lap 8: 10:33/160 bpm
Lap 9: 10:14/164 bpm
Lap 10: 10:02/164 bpm
Lap 11: 10:17/164 bpm
Lap 12: 9:49/169 bpm
Lap 13: 9:28/170 bpm

Nothing as it relates to my pace...planned on 10:00/mi...maybe not lose sight of my bro? Was shootin for a time between 2:15 and 2:20. Including potty break...accomplished the goal.

got finishers pic...got 1, 2 or 3 beers...ate some pasta salad, basil coup and yogurt...oh, did I mention the 3 beers? As we finally found a way back to the car...we were actually walking past the marathon (and I suppose some slower half marathoners)...lo and behold...I see Gaarryy and we gave a few hollers for him...whilst dining on the food...Chris saw a fraternity bro (Raegan Gill) and his wife (Sue)...small world...glad to see some BT'ers...even though I didn't know em really...lol...


short legs?


chaos trying to get back to the car...