If you ain't first, you're last!

Oh Ricky Bobby, you are so wise!

Lets face it - i knew i wouldn't be in first yesterday at the 13.1 half marathon (or ever, for that matter).  Despite the high temps, i keep forgetting that i ran a marathon last weekend.  And another one two weeks before that.  I am both physically and mentally not up for racing right now.  And probably not for a little bit - but i did pay for this race, and as the only one who actually paid to run it - i better freaking show up.  And there would be other bloggers there.  And cameras.  If i ever miss a photo-op you should probably be concerned.  

I am far too lazy to link everyones blog, but luckily, Maggie already did it here.

I saw three potential outcomes for this race:


1.  Push myself, and while i would not be able to sub 2:00 in these conditions, i probably could have run a 2:05, but i would have had to push myself to the absolute limit, and risk getting heat sick again, or worse - injuring my still tender footsies.


2.  Push myself, realize somewhere around mile 6 that i would never meet my unrealistic goals, and lay down and start crying.  Finish race, but realize i am so burnt out that i take the next month off from running.


3.  Not race at all, and just try to spot people out on the course, work on my jokes and dance moves, and have a generally awesome time.

photo: Erin

Obviously, i chose number 3.  I just mentally can't handle racing right now, especially not in heat.  But man, did i have a good time.  And i don't mean to sound like a total asshole, but after Rockford, which was about 10-15 degrees hotter, this actually felt like a nice day.  I was warm, but i never felt too warm, i never felt sick, and i never even felt the need to dump water over my head.  I felt really good, and finished the race feeling like i could run a few more miles.  Granted it was my slowest half marathon time ever, but i was more focused on chit-chatting with my friend Keren the entire race.  She was definitely hating the heat for the last few miles, but i like to think that my side splitting humor helped her forget about it.  And i got to see lots of people out on the course!  Super speedy Chicago Runner Girl (way ahead of me, obviously), I saw Kim a few times, Zack blew by me, and i saw Cary twice!  (although she only saw me once)


I tried to make myself stand out so that people could see me easily too, so i wore bright colors and giant pigtail buns.  It was really nice to just run this casually.  It makes me want to be a pacer for future races.  


My biggest regret is that they did not blow the horn three times when they switched the flag from green to yellow.  They sent an email the day before saying the would, and i had an AMAZING game of thrones joke lined up.  (One horn- "ranger returning!"  Two horns- "Wildlings!" Three horns- "WHITE WALKERS, RUN!!!!")  Ugh, i was denied.  That was a good one.


Either way, i had a great time, mostly because of all the friendly faces.  I felt great for the entire race, although i am still burnt out on racing and will be taking a little break-a-roo to focus on training.  The race did a good job of preparing for the heat (its mid-June, are we really surprised?) but for me, the course was really familiar and a little boring.  I ran down there all last summer, so it wasn't very exciting.  I wouldn't run this race again because of the price.  It's WAY too expensive for what it is.  There are at least half a dozen half marathons that take place on the lakefront path, so i don't understand why this one is SO much more expensive.  And, again, as they only runner there that they didn't give a free entry to, you can believe me.  I would much rather run the Chicago Half Marathon, which in my opinion is a more exciting race. Or one of the suburban races that would have a more interesting course and parking. 

The tastiest Michelob Ultra EVER.