Race Review

I did it! Yesterday morning I woke up at 4:50am, panicked, wondered why I signed up for this in the first place, and headed over to Hyde Park to start the race. I was really nervous. It didn't help that people jogged past me on their way there. I mean seriously, there will be plenty of time for that later. Once I got there, I headed right over to the bag check to make sure I had plenty of time. It was really well organized and easy, until I needed to use the port-o-potty. I waited in line for almost 30 minutes and then didn't really have much more time to be nervous before the race started. So perhaps I should be thankful that there weren't enough toilets for the 10,000 participants?

How cool is this? Look how many crazy people there are in this one city? All of the people around me got me so pumped up and I couldn't wait to get started. I watched the sun rise along the harbor as we ran past. When was the last time you woke up before the sun? I can't remember when it was for me, but I liked it.

As soon as I crossed the start line I was SO excited. It was one of the most incredible feelings being a part of this race. There were literally thousands of people crossing the start line. I started feeling really emotional, like I was really part of something amazing. Forgive me for being so cheesy.

Also forgive me for having such an unsteady hand...

I couldn't believe how much energy I had. I tried to pace myself, but there was so much adrenaline coursing through me and my competitiveness couldn't help but relish in passing people as I booked it up the hills and threw myself down them. I could feel my energy waining a little bit around mile7, and just as I was thinking that I was handed a GU at one of the water stations. It is exactly what I needed. Pure sugar. I ate it slowly and held onto it for a few miles before finally ditching it having eaten about 3/4 of it.

As you can see the views during the race were amazing (mostly). I got to run on roads where I am usually running on paths, so I saw these views from completely different vantage points and it was amazing.  When I finally crossed the finish line I couldn't contain my excitement/emotions and I burst into tears. I know. It took me a few minutes and a few cups of Gatorade, but I finally composed myself enough to find Luke and gloat about what I'd just done.

 

When's the next one?