10k & Half Marathon Challenge- Little Rock Marathon Weekend

Take Two!

This recap is a long time coming. Life's been changing, and so very busy. I can't NOT post my recaps because I do them mostly for myself and I love having a digital journal to look back on. However, I am definitely realizing that as detailed as I am, I really need to cut back if I'm going to keep up with my running blog.

But I don't know how. lol

Four weeks ago Scott and I did the Little Rock Marathon- 10k and Half Marathon Combo Challenge. This was the second time I've done the combo, but a first for Scott. The weather was not great, but I have not experienced a LR Marathon Weekend with good weather. I've done the odd years, and it seems those are the years where weather is less than stellar. Even years seem to be not so bad. I guess I will need to do the races again next year. :-D

Because there is no race day packet pick up we needed to get to Little Rock on Friday for our Saturday 10k pickup. When we arrived things did not seem very busy, but there was some confusion when it came to packets. The couple in front of me seemed to have trouble receiving theirs, and Scott and I both had to wait a bit for ours. I will say, I think we were in the wrong line. I did not see a line that was for the combo racers. That is fully on me and I definitely apologized for being in the wrong line.

We had a hotel for the weekend to make things less complicated with back and forth driving. Saturday morning the 5k and 10k races started at 7:30. We were only about 10 minutes from the start line, but with the anxiousness that comes with race morning I, of course, wanted to allow plenty of time to get there and walk to the start. I don't like to deal with parking downtown, and I really don't like to pay for parking. I'd rather walk a little extra. The race started near the Statehouse Convention Center (also where the expo was held) and we parked in the lot for the Clinton Library. It was a little over a half mile walk. There was no gear check for the 5k and 10k so planning ahead for appropriate layers for feels like temps in the 30's with high wind before, during, and after the race were important. And almost impossible. As we walked from the car to the start line I could tell already that I needed to shed my top layer.

I got my layers situated as each corral started and we moved forward. We crossed the start line and it quickly became clear that I might need to adjust my goal for this race. Leading up to race weekend I had sort of been planning to give it all I had and try to PR. Friday morning I woke up with my throat swollen and by that night I was feeling pretty lousy. I was determined to ignore it, but I wasn't sure how I would be able to perform. I felt the decision had been made for me when I realized we were in a corral with mostly walkers. I will say it every time, EVERYONE worked hard and deserves to be at any race. Scott and I weaved through the congestion of excited participants for over half a mile, and things seemed to open up comfortably by the time we hit one mile. Once things opened up we were able to pick up the pace. Being in the cold seemed to clear me up a bit and the next thing I know our pace had dropped significantly and before I knew it I was suddenly on track for a PR. Scott was a great encourager, as always. The hills were killer. As we were heading back, we had maybe a mile and a half to go, we were heading towards the river which, in my head, should have meant only flat or downhill for the most part. I remember saying to Scott, how can we possibly be going up another steep hill when we are heading back and are so close to the river!? I still don't know. :)
We hit the 5 mile marker and I knew we had to be over the worst of the hills. We started a decent towards the river and I stretched out my stride. I was excited to hopefully pick up the pace even more. As we were coming up to an intersection with less than 3/4 of a mile to go and still a fantastic downhill, I noticed a large number of people. I knew by this point we had rejoined the 5k route so I figured it was a bunch of 5k finishers we would just run around. Then I realized they were stopped. Then a new realization hit. Even the runners that had just passed Scott and me were stopped. I kept running thinking surely I was imagining things in my sick and exhausted state of mind. And then I came to a dead stop because there was car traffic crossing the intersection. There was no way for us to continue. The volunteer at that intersection that was supposed to be stopping traffic was actually stopping racers. I wish I was wrong. But I wasn't. He was holding his hand up to us and waving the cars on by. To say we all just sat there and let it happen would be a lie. A majority of us, including the 5k walkers, were telling him that he needed to stop the traffic and let us go. It was unbelievable. It felt like we were stopped for at least a couple minutes. Based on my watch time versus my chip time it was not long at all. Yes, I did pause my watch. I was not about to have something completely out of my control prevent me from getting a PR. And at this point, that dead stop at an intersection was the only thing stopping me.
Most of us had started inching our way into the intersection and finally took a chance to cross in between some cars. As soon as I was safely across I took off. It helped that we were still heading down a hill. I looked at my pace after we crossed the intersection and I was running a sub 7 pace and managed to hold a sub 8 pace for nearly 1/4 mile. The last half mile has a couple short and not steep hills. I knew after we got over the second one the finish line would be in view. I was only mostly sure I had my PR. I thought I did, but I purposefully had not looked before the race to see what I needed to do in order to PR. Since I had been feeling sick on Friday I didn't want the pressure at the race. I had actually intended to just do the distance at whatever was comfortable. But after encouragement from Scott and a series of texts from my running buddy, Angela, I decided to push as best as possible. And I'm glad I did!

  https://youtu.be/p-kcvP49vog?t=2301

After crossing the finish line there is a bell that finishers can ring. We had a little fun with that and then got our medals. I really like the set up for the race this year. I don't know if it was like this last year, but it definitely was not this way in 2017. The finishers area is blocked off and leads people into the lower level of the Statehouse Convention Center. Medals were handed out as we entered the building. It was so nice to finish a cold run like we had and be able to go into a warm building. The only thing was, we had parked half a mile away and still had to get back to the car. :-P
Just before leaving the finisher's area there's a spot set up for participants to put in their bib number and get the official finish time and stats. I was definitely using my watch for my time, but wanted to compare, and it wasn't until I got the printout that I looked up my last PR.

Previous 10k PR- Time 56:06, Pace 8:59 
Chip Time- 55:02, Pace 8:52
Watch Time- 54:45, Pace 8:42
Placement:
10k Overall- 116th/1169
Age Group- 17th/168
Female Age Group- 5th/104

It's been a month and I'm just now seeing the placement stats. To say I'm in shock in an understatement. Fifth!! I placed 5th in the female division of my age group. Going for a placement in a race of this size has never been a goal of mine. I don't know that it ever will be. But seeing, and knowing, that I was within TWO PEOPLE of getting an award, is pretty stinking amazing. I don't need an award. I'm thrilled just knowing I was that close. Never in my running dreams have I ever thought I'd be where I am now. 
To look at the 3rd and 4th place finishers in my age group, they were basically tied. The 4th place finish just milliseconds behind. And I was just ONE MINUTE behind them. I've been sitting here shaking my head for 10 minutes. I can't get over it. 

We left the finisher's area and Scott and I walked back to our car and spent the rest of the day trying to stay warm. We met up with my friend Andrea and her husband for dinner. Andrea was running her first half marathon on Sunday and was sharing our hotel room Saturday night. After dinner we went back to the room and relaxed. I was starting to feel bad again and just wanted to lay down. 

Sunday morning things went smoothly. I don't think I've been so relaxed before a long distance race. I can't speak for Andrea, but on the outside she seemed pretty relaxed. :) 
While the was no bag check for the 5k and 10k, there was for the half and full marathons. I was so grateful for that. We checked our bags in the same room at the Statehouse Convention Center as the expo was held and a few minutes later we were leaving the building and heading to our corral. From the moment we entered, it seemed like we were constantly moving forward towards the start line. I was so excited for Andrea to be running her first half, which I planned to run with her, and also excited for Scott because I knew he would not stay with us and I had high hopes for him to PR for the first time in 8 years. 8 years ago was the last time Scott ran a half marathon for himself. He's done every other one with me. Which I love, but I'm glad he had a chance to run on his own with no obligation to stay with me. (His feelings, not mine) It didn't take more than maybe 1/4 of a mile for Scott to take off. 
It started to drizzle just as we started running, and developed into a steady light rain quickly. The rain came down for the next hour. It didn't stop for over an hour. That didn't stop Andrea and me from making the most of the race. We talked, we watched for the elite runners to pass by (when we were at about 1.5 miles and they were at about 3), we encouraged other runners, and sometimes we kept to our own thoughts. 

Around 6 miles we began the long out and back section of the course. I was hoping we would see Scott on his way back and we did! I saw him coming and we shouted and cheered for him. He looked cold but was running strong. I was so proud! After I saw him at this point, I started tracking him on the app. I just knew he was going to PR. Sure enough, he beat his previous time by 2 minutes. If he had been more trained (he did most of his runs at my pace) and if the weather hadn't been so lousy I'm confident he would have done even better. He's amazing! 

Andrea ran a strong race. I don't know how much she was keeping track of our pace, but I'm thinking not as much as I was based on her later reaction at the finish area. As best I can remember, we didn't walk once, not even on the crazy uphills in the last half of the course. I say "we". She didn't. Twice I dropped something and had to stop and pick it up. I felt horrible for being in the way of the other runners. We had dry conditions for about 4 miles and then around 11 miles the hail began. At first it was so seldom that I thought it was small petals coming off trees that were starting to bloom. But then about half a mile later those "petals" hit my face. And it hurt. I felt pretty ridiculous when it was pointed out that it was hailing and not raining flowers. 
About this same time is when we saw Andrea's husband and kids. They were just getting out of the car on a corner as we made a turn with a little over a mile to go. Andrea and I didn't really talk about it, but I think it was a pick me up and just the right time to focus and bring it home. I noticed she kept picking up the pace, and we would pull back. We made the same last turn that Scott and I did for the 10k and another runner asked how much further. I did my best to explain the last bit, we could actually catch glimpses of the finish line even with those couple rolling hills still looming ahead. 
Andrea picked up the pace and I told her to pull back for a little longer. I knew she had an incredibly strong finish in her, but I didn't want her to start too soon and lose it before the end. She started to surge one more time just before we hit the 13 mile marker. I told her if she was ready let's go for it. And boy did she go for it! As we approached the finish line all I remember is being so very very proud of my friend. My friend who all through training, followed her plan, did all the right things, still ran through pain, and still ran a stronger race than she knew possible. I heard the announcer say her name, as if he knew this was Andrea's first half marathon. I  know he said other names. There were just a few other people around us, but Andrea was in the "spotlight".  She ran her race and she deserved it. 

https://youtu.be/15N8_i4vg-g?t=4538

Between the finish line, and printing our results, amazingness happened. We got our medals of course, with me making a pit stop at the challenge table since I had done the 10k also. Then we made a turn and the finishers line made its way around a buffet of sorts. It. Was. Awesome. We were given a little bag and there were so many things we could add. I smelled food. There was pasta. It was so good! I have no idea who supplied it. There were so many drinks. Milk, pop, beer for those who drank it, orange juice... all the stuff! My word, I couldn't get my hands on the food fast enough! As we exited the finishers area into the reunion area I found Scott. It took me a minute to realize where we were. Turns out, we exited into the same room where bag check was. Of all the convenient parts of this race, this may have been my favorite. No searching, or walking all over creation in the cold, to find my much needed layers. We got our bags, then stopped at the results table.

Total Time- 2:21:21
Avg Pace- 10:47

My favorite part about running this with Andrea, well, I actually can't pick just one, but a stand out moment was when we printed our stats and she officially saw for the first time her finish time and pace. Tears were shed. Hugs were given. Pride was shining so big I felt the whole room (and it was a BIG room) could see.

We probably spent too much time inside, knowing that we had to make the half mile walk back to the car. Like a dummy, I didn't bring a change of clothes. I promised myself after my Hot Chocolate 15k St Louis experience, that I would be more responsible when it came to winter races. I don't know why I would uphold that when I'm not very responsible in most other aspects of running. I try. I really do. :) Anyway, NEXT time, I will bring a full change of clothes. Seriously. Everyone should do it.

Overall impressions: This was the best experience I have had with the Little Rock Marathon weekend. I loved that the finisher's area was indoors, and the food an beverage options were far better than what has been offered before. I'm wondering if things happening in the Statehouse Convention Center have been happening for a while and I just hadn't realized it in the past. Two years ago we definitely didn't finish and get led into the building. Whatever the case I'm really loving it! The whole experience was so great that I'm anxious to register for next year. :-D 

My training doesn't end there... In four weeks I'll be running the RussVegas Half Marathon, followed immediately the next weekend with the National Women's Half Marathon in Washington DC. I'm super excited for both! 

That Time I Ran Two Races in Two Days

Two races. Two days. For some this may not be a very big deal. For others, myself included, it might be a crazy idea. Why would anyone do this? For the challenge of course. Lately I've been a sucker for a challenge. High near 70? That's ok, I'll pass and run when it's 30 degrees in the early morning. Trail running when I expected paved roads? Okay then. Signing up to run a half marathon that is just 8 weeks after my full marathon and will happen the day after I'm hoping to PR at a 10k? Challenge accepted!

Back in October or November Scott and I signed up for the Little Rock Marathon 10k. I've only run a couple 10k races, and neither of them gave medals at the end. When I saw the medals for the races at Little Rock I knew I HAD to do one of them. Since race weekend was only a couple months after my Disney World Marathon I didn't think I should do the half marathon (certainly not the full!), but I wanted to do more than the 5k. So I talked to Scott and we decided he would join me and we'd both do the 10k. About that same time, my friend Kyla asked me if I could make up a training plan for her to run a half marathon. Turns out, she planned to do the half marathon at Little Rock.

After I got home from Disney I planned to take a week or so off from running and then get back to preparing for the 10k. I was thinking I could MAYBE go for a PR. A week or so after I got home I was talking to Kyla about her training and decided I would do her long runs with her while my daughter stayed with her kids. I hoped by doing this, Kyla could break through the mental block she was having (training for her first half marathon on her own, plus work schedules, plus being a single mom, all working together telling her things that were not true) Of course, doing the long runs with Kyla would have me over trained for the distance I was doing for my own race so I got it in my head that maybe I could do the half also. Five weeks before the races, I signed up for the half marathon. I also emailed the race director because the combo option had been sold out, but when I registered for the half it didn't say sold out anymore, I just wasn't able to choose the option even though it was there. I never do that kind of thing. I typically would just accept that it wasn't available and move on. I wanted to do both races either way, so no big deal. The race director got back to me pretty much right away saying that the combo option was definitely sold out and there was a waiting list, but she'd add me to it if I'd like. I had nothing to lost by being added. I had no expectations for getting in. With so few weeks before the race and over 100 people on the list, I knew the chances were slim to none.

Training carried on. I made up a loose training schedule for myself for the last few weeks before the races; aiming for 4 runs a week, two of them being with my running buddy, Angela, who was also training for a different race, trying to do some speed work each week (which happened most of the time), and get the long distances in with Kyla. Just over a week before race weekend I got an email with a confirmation for the combo. I was stupidly happy to get in! I would have been fine if it hadn't happened, but when I saw the confirmation I was more excited than I expected to be.

On Friday, before the races, Scott and I planned to go to the expo after he got off work. I was anxious because we had an hour drive, and I knew we would probably hit some traffic. I was relieved when Scott was off work an hour early, but it turned out it wouldn't matter. We were just 5 miles from our destination and we hit standstill traffic. Over half an hour later we had only moved half a mile. I'm sure I've mentioned in past blogs about how much of a control freak I can be. I was starting to freak out. At this rate, we wouldn't make it to the expo before they closed. The expo was also open on Saturday, but since we were running Saturday morning we had to get our packets on Friday. After creeping forward a little longer, we found a way to take backroads. Less than 15 minutes later we were parked and walking to the Statehouse Convention Center where the expo was being held. The panicky feeling quickly disappeared as soon as I had my bibs in hand. After walking around the expo for a little bit, we decided it was time to check into our hotel and find some dinner before aiming to get to bed at a decent time.

We woke to near perfect race weather on Saturday morning. It was sunny and right around 40 degrees. Normally that's too cold for me, even for a race, but it was great this time. By the time we walked from our car, made a pit stop at the port-a-potties, and got to our way to our corral, we only had about 20 minutes until we were supposed to start. There was some great music and even some beach balls being hit around the corrals to pass the time. It was pretty fun!

As it got closer to start time, the MC had the corrals move forward, closer to the start line. I was a little surprised they did not have us do a staggered start. When the race did start, it was pretty congested for a little bit. Scott and I were in corral E, but actually Scott's bib said C, and I'm pretty sure mine would have based on the completion time I put in when I originally registered for the 10k on its own. But when I added the half marathon, I put in a time that was slower because I know Kyla and I would be walk/running that one. I don't mind at all being in a further back corral, but it would have been nice to be with others that were about the same pace as me a little further up. I know this is a frustration many people have if they miss the cut off for proof of time and now I know how they feel. The situation would have been made a little better had the corrals been released a minute or two a part. All that not to say that my race was ruined, or anything like that. It's just an observation. Maybe they can allow the combo runners to put in two different completion times and not base corral placement for both races on just one. Anyway, back to the fun stuff!

The first half was fairly uneventful as far as the course goes. In the first mile I thought maybe the GPS on my running app had veered off course because I was hitting the quarter miles sooner than I thought I should be. Turns out, I really was just running much faster than I anticipated. In the beginning there were "gentle" inclines and declines, but not major hills. That gradually changed until the last half had rolling hills.

Up to mile 3 I had been maintaining a sub 9 minute average pace. Which totally surprised me. I mean, I knew I could do a 5k and that pace, but I had not planned on doing this race that fast. My fastest official 10k was a little over an hour. In order to get a PR I needed to average a 9:30 pace. So at mile 3 when I was still at 8:59 I was happy that I had gotten there fairly comfortably. I also knew that we had to be getting close to the hills I assumed were coming. I didn't know anything about this course, other than the fact that Little Rock is hilly. I just figured the hills would be there somewhere, and since they weren't really in the first half, they were certainly coming in the second. So knowing that, I also figured I'd have a big slow down coming. I was pretty sure I'd still PR though, so I tried to settled in and enjoy the hills. It didn't take long for me to start hurting once the big hills showed up. I spent a good chunk of that last half with a cramp that hopped back and forth between my chest and my diaphragm. Through out this time I was telling myself it was supposed to hurt. It's the kind of hurt I can push through. Just a couple more miles.

I recently stumbled across a fantastic blogger/vlogger who I relate to in so many ways (minus the fact that she's much faster) and has been an incredible source of inspiration and motivation for me. Kelly Roberts at Run, Selfie, Repeat is as real as real can be. I feel like I've known her my whole life. She speaks to me and only me. Well, a couple days before my 10k race, I was listening to a podcast of Kelly's (yes, we are on a first name basis... even though she has no idea who I am) and among other things, she was talking about how working for a PR at a race isn't meant to be easy. You have to push hard. You have to accept the pain. But you also know that when you finish, you'll know that you have done the absolute best you could have done. I thought about this podcast for most of the last half of the 10k. I hurt. I was tired. I had a cramp. And still, I repeated to myself, "Heather, you're supposed to hurt. This is what a PR feels like. DO IT!" My pace did slow a little bit in the 4th and 5th miles. That's when I talked to myself the most. I was averaging 9:04 going into the 6th mile. I knew I had my PR, clearly! So I started letting other thoughts take over and I talked to Scott about them. If I know I have the PR, why should I keep pushing so hard for this last mile, when I don't feel like I can push any harder to get my pace back to a sub 9? Why don't I just let up a little on the pace, to where it's just a TAD easier, but will still give me the PR? You know what Scott said? "Heather, why WOULDN'T you push for the sub 9?" And that was all. He didn't say anything else. I hit the mile 5 flag and had a nice downhill. I been hearing 9:04 average at each quarter mile for over a mile and decided I was tired of hearing that. When talking to yourself in your head is no longer enough, the next step is to just say it out loud. So I'm running down the hill and I was telling myself out loud to break that 9:04. Even if I didn't get the sub 9 back (because I truly did not think I would) just push and break it. After that I stopped hearing my app tell me my pace. I hadn't turned the sound off, I just was so focused on the course and how I was so close to finishing, I didn't notice. There was another uphill at the end of mile 6. I was not thrilled, but at the top, I saw the finish line just down the road. Just a quarter mile to go. And it seemed like the finish line was at the end of a decline. I didn't think I had anything left to give, but off I went. My kick came in and I flew down the road. As it turns out, that last quarter my pace was around 7:43. WHAT?!? I don't even know how that happened. It also explains why I was seconds away from losing my breakfast as I crossed the finish line. Quite a few deep breaths later, and I finally looked down at my app and saw that not only had I had gotten my PR, but I HAD gotten a sub 9 average! I was ecstatic!!

Something I had never seen at a race I've done before was an instant results tent. I've had results almost right away before, but not with this much detail. We put in our bib number, pulled up the results on a little screen, and with the click of a button we got a little print out that had not only our finishing clock time, chip time, and average pace, but also our standings. So here's what I have.

Chip Time: 56:06
Average Pace: 8:59

My overall placement and standing within all the woman participating was right around the top 30%, which is pretty typical for me, but the best thing I saw on this piece of paper was my placement in my age group for women. I placed 11th! I was THIS close to being in the top 10 women!! And yes, I'm thrilled about that. I have never been that close to placing in any race I have done. There isn't a reward for for placing in the top 10, but in my head, that's a pretty big deal. I just can't get over it. I am just so happy to be that close. :)

After the race we went back to the hotel to get cleaned up and wait for Kyla to get into town. With lunch at Panera and a delicious treat from Gigi's Cupcakes taken care of, we headed back to the expo for Kyla's packet pickup. I'm pretty sure I was more excited about this than she was, but I do remember those feelings from my first half marathon. Excitement definitely was not at the top of the list. :)

It was still a little too early to get dinner so we rested back at the hotel for a little bit. I had a growing headache that refused to leave, and we were all just plain tired. That carried on through dinner, and in the end we turned in early. I was asleep by 9. That never happens, especially the night before a race.

Sunday morning we woke up early to rain. It had been in the forecast with the chances varying each day. I was still hoping it wouldn't actually happen. Of course I wanted Kyla's first half to be perfect, and rain wouldn't allow for that. To say we were a tad grumpy could be an understatement, but there was no use dwelling on it. The race was happening either way. So we layered up and happened to find some ponchos in the car. I have never been so grateful for being a packrat. The ponchos definitely helped the situation! Once we parked and started making our way to the starting line my poor mood left me. I think I was more anxious than I realized. And the rain wasn't a horrible downpour, more like a very heavy sprinkle. My perfect kind of running rain. It invigorated me.

We crossed the start line 7-8 minutes after the clock started and not even half a mile into the race we came to our first hill; a bridge that crosses the Arkansas River. I think it's an appropriate warning for what is to come on this course. Particularly in the last half (again). After we crossed the river and the runners had thinned out a bit, it was time to shed some layers. Literally, but also symbolically for Kyla. Doing a half marathon is something that was on Kyla's bucket list after she was told she could never complete one by her ex husband. No one should ever be told they can not do something. No matter the situation. Through out training Kyla has proven strong, physically AND mentally. When I was talking to her about having a layer that could be tossed on the side of the course that she wouldn't want back, she said she had the perfect thing. It was a sweatshirt that was her ex's that had still been hanging in the closet. So not quite a mile into the race it was time to get rid of all the awful thoughts that had been weighing on Kyla's heart and mind. We giggled through the struggle of working with a wet poncho, but really, watching her chuck that sweatshirt in the mud and stomp on it was amazing.

The next couple of miles before crossing back over the river were fairly flat and uneventful. I don't know if it was the weather, or the location, but there were not many spectators. I know this part of the course was not as convenient to the start and finish lines so it could just be that. We crossed the bridge and all of a sudden there were a ton of people on the side of the course. As we were approaching the mile 4 flag, we saw Scott for the first time and a mile later we got to step out of the rain for a quick picture with some llamas at the Heifer International sponsored aid station.

The next couple miles were quiet. We were in a part of Little Rock I had never been in and there wasn't much to see. Again there were not many spectators, but the ones we did pass were wonderful. About mile 7 the bigger hills truly began. Our plan for this race was to run every 4-5 minutes, unless there was a hill. We planned to walk up those. Interestingly enough, we didn't have to change the intervals too many times. It worked out really well. Around mile 7 is also where we started seeing many spectators again. And that carried on for the rest of the course. Scott found us again between 7 and 8 and gave us a banana. By the time we saw him for the last time before the finish line, near the mile 9 flag, Kyla and I were ready to get rid of our ponchos. It was still lightly raining off and on, but it was getting increasingly hard to run with them. We decided we could handle the last few miles if we did get very wet, it would be worth it to not have the annoyance.

I don't know if it was the freedom of not having the poncho or the amazing sideline support, but the last few miles for me were so much fun. At the same time, through out the race I know Kyla was working through stuff in her head. Once in a while she'd tell me she had stuff on her mind. Each time, I feel like she felt a bit more free. What an emotional roller coaster this race was! Casting out lies and gaining freedom and confidence all while running through high fives and fist bumps make for a pretty amazing last few miles. We made conversation with people around us, we thanked the volunteers (those people are AMAZING), and I was continuously reminded why I love the running community so much. In the last mile we saw many people who had already finished on the sidewalks with their medals. The reality of what we were doing hit me then. Of course I knew we were doing a half marathon, but time had passed surprisingly quick and I really just felt like Kyla and I were out for a training run. I went back and forth between talking to the finishers we passed and telling Kyla how proud I was and that we were so close. Until she told me to stop because she kept crying. :) She and I are the same that way. I have had to tell a couple friends to stop saying encouraging things because if I cry I can't breath.

As we got closer to our final turn we could hear the sounds of the finish line. I told Kyla once we turned we were running that final stretch. To be honest it was further than I expected, but I knew even though our runs had been shorter, that she could do it. We maneuvered our way around people as we ran down the street. I was so thankful that it was the same street as the 10k finish, so we were on a slight decline. The closer we got, the louder it got. There were so many people on the sides of the course, plus music, plus the man at the finish line announcing marathon finishers, and all the while I'm shouting at Kyla. I don't even know if she heard me. I was so incredibly happy, and PROUD of her!!

It's not polite to stop as soon as you cross the finish line, so as we walked towards the medals I gave Kyla a walking hug and excitedly pointed towards the most fun half marathon medals ever.

The last picture we had together at the race was at the backgrounds that were set up after the medal stands. We had a normal finisher picture taken and as we were about to walk away the photographer says, "Hey let's do one more. Show me your strong!" She has no idea how incredibly appropriate that was.

The last stop we made before leaving the finishers area was the Challenge Tent. I was giddy as I showed the lady my printed results to get my challenge medal. I may be a little addicted to these combo races now. :)

This was a fun half marathon for me. Not to say it was easy. I was definitely feeling the effects of Saturday's race. I just really enjoyed the process. It was great to experience Kyla's first half with her!

So what's next? Apparently a half marathon towards the end of April. More on that later... :-O