One off the bucket list…

Saturday’s half marathon was quite interesting.  Never in a million years did I anticipate running in snow and sleet.  In Florida. 

Jim, Kristie, Howie and I – the Half Marathon runners in our group – met in our hotel lobby at 3:20 am to get a bus to the start line.  It was freezing cold but at that point, not precipitating.  I was wearing two pairs of pants (a big thank you to Maribeth and her running pants), a Under Armour mock turtleneck, a long sleeved shirt, a Disney sweatshirt (purchased the night before) AND my new running coat (a $17 purchase at Target the day before we left).  I had intentions of taking the coat off as I got warmer but in fact, it never came off.  That running coat was the biggest blessing.  It was waterproof.  I also had a new hat I bought at the running expo – another great purchase. 

We were dropped off at our first “holding tank” where we sat for about an hour.  Kristie brought a snuggie and we sat on it on the ground and ate breakfast – I ate a bagel with soynut butter and saw a first.  Snow!  It was flurrying.  So glad I was witnessing weather history in Florida (in case you can’t read the sarcasm in my writing, it’s there). 

After our first holding tank area, we hoofed it over to our Corral.  We were all in the last Corral – when we signed up for the race LAST January, we had no idea of a anticipated finish time.  This was a rookie mistake.  After all the training I did last year, I was hoping to finish in about 2:10.  We were put in a corral with the walkers which did not make that possible. 

In our corral, I took off my new Disney sweatshirt and put it on the side.  Disney was taking all clothes discarded at the race, washing them and then donating – yea for Disney! 

When our corral was released, we made our way up to the start line and began what I would like to call “the biggest game of frogger.” 

I was darting in and out of people and trying to fight my way ahead of the walkers.  It really slowed me down – my first few miles were spent running in the grass and dodging the walkers.  By this point, it was sleeting.  Let me tell you, sleet hurts on your face. 

Most of the race was spent dodging people.  I could not tell you where I ran through, things I saw and very sadly, I didn’t take any pictures.  It was too cold to unzip my jacket to take my camera out.  Yes.  I was that lame. 

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to my half-marathon spectators – Maribeth, John, Kevin, Meghan, Lina and Matt who were true troopers standing outside in the freezing cold.  They made the greatest signs and although I totally missed, them I really appreciate their support!

Matt did get a picture of me close to the finish line…

There I go – I’m the one in the bright pink hat.  If you notice, I have two different gloves on.  I’m special like that.

Here are my official results

My goal was 2:10 but I am happy with my results.  It was my first half marathon plus I stopped 3 times for water. 

Here are my stats from the Garmin. 

Plus the entire group at the finish

I’m less than happy looking.  I think its because I haven’t felt my toes for about 40 minutes.  

This was a great first half-marathon race – I need to find another one – probably smaller.  I’ve learned a lot about running and myself from this race.  Last January I signed up for this race just hoping to finish; I did that and so much more.