Yesterday was a busy day for us because we had things going on with the kids that we couldn't leave any earlier than 2. We usually have our kids stay the night my in laws so that we can be there at the start and just spend some time away. I don't feel comfortable with the kids going to Nashville because it is a big city. It makes me nervous and I like to be able to run carefree and not have to worry about how the kids are doing.
We got to Nashville and got to the expo to pick up my race packet. From the beginning I was disappointed there. Not many things to look at or anything like what I have seen in the past. They did have this photo thing that you could do so I decided to do a pic with the pink flowered necklace and a blue and green one.
This one was for my daughter. Her favorite color is pink.
They didn't have just a green for my son so a blue and green for him.
We then checked into our hotel and just hung around the room until time to meet some friends that were running the next morning. We ate at a place called Amerigo. It is an Italian restaurant and it was pretty good. I had spaghetti to carb load and Brad had a lasagna. We then had to stop and get some cheesecake and then went back to the hotel to watch a little bit of TV before heading to bed.
I think that we finally went to bed around 10 but around 2 this morning I just couldn't sleep. Took me forever to finally get back asleep. I was quite pleased with the hotel that we stayed. Even though they were pricey, they did have an amazing complimentary breakfast and since the race didn't start until 8, we had time to eat. I always do better when I eat eggs before I run.
We were then off to the start line. We had a little bit of issues finding the start line but we had plenty of time. Got there and did the normal potty before you run. Then we were off. I was excited and the start of the race was going good and the route was absolutely beautiful. I was quite pleased with it. At every water stop, they had the option of Gatorade and I learned at the Oak Barrel half last year that I always do better when I drink Gatorade instead of water.
I hit my wall after mile 9. I struggled and honestly I was getting to where I didn't care what my goal was. I just wanted to finish. I had to dig down deep to find the strength to keep going. I got through mile 10 ok until we started coming to some hills. I didn't want to but I knew that if I didn't walk up those hills that I wasn't going to finish strong. So Missi and I decided to walk but she wouldn't let me walk slow. We still had to keep a good pace and we made it. I didn't think that I had anymore left in me to make it to the finish line in a sprint but I found it. She looked for me and I was gone. My friend Mark took a pic of us approaching the finish line.
She still beat me to the finish line by 5 seconds but that is ok. My goal for this half was to finish in 2:15 and no later than 2:20. I was unable to do 2:15 at this time. I did, however, finish in 2:17 with a PR of almost 4 minutes from my best half time. Here is one that I didn't even think about until my husband made the comment but the last time I was in Nashville was September 2014 for the last Women's Half Marathon that they did. That race I finished in less than 3 hours so I believe that I have redeemed myself at this half by shaving off almost 45 minutes from that time.
Here's Missi and I with our medals. I can't thank her enough for staying with me and not letting me give up. For helping me with my breathing so that I didn't get too tired. She is absolutely awesome and I can't wait until we can run together at a half again.
Here is just me. I used this pic to post to my buddy Henry that I run 4. I am so incredibly proud of this medal because when my legs and lungs were about done, I ran with my heart. I loved this race and this course. I had the best time with friends.
Until next time everyone.
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