Get It Girl Wednesday: San Francisco Mermaid Run 2013 Race Recap

When I think back at the Mermaid Run we did a week ago, the first thing that comes to mind are the AMAZING views.  I have completed a lot of races and there is no doubt in my mind that this course is in the top three of the most beautiful, most scenic courses I've ever ran.  I think that that alone is worth the price of registration!

But before I show you the pictures let's talk about the race.

The Fitness Mama team decided to register for the SF Mermaid Run (Sirena 10 mile) when some of us did not get past the SF Nike Women's Marathon Lottery Draw.  Since we wanted to do a race in the Fall, we found the Mermaid Run and registered right away.  The Mermaid Series puts on a lot of races, triathlons, and duathlons specifically geared towards women.  When I read their mission statement on their website, I knew this was the right race for #teamfitnessmama

Mermaid Series Mission Statement:
"Mermaid Series is building a welcoming community that inspires women from all backgrounds to uncover and realize their full potential.  Mermaid Series strives to serve as a catalyst for change in women's lives as they set and discover new goals for themselves in fitness and in life. By providing training, support, motivation and eco-friendly events we are committed to the pursuit of our participants healthy lifestyle.  Our events aim to provide an opportunity for a positive change while making each woman regardless of their ability feel welcome."

Fitness Mama is all about supporting and inspiring women in their fitness goals and so it was nice to find an event that also supports this.

After a few months of training and checking in on our Mama's who were doing the race, the event came quickly!  Before I knew it, it was time for bib pick up!

This race allowed for three different opportunities for bib pick up.  The Friday and Saturday before the race at different Sports Basement locations and then the morning of the race (this was highly discouraged by the event staff).  I went to the one on Friday in Sunnyvale and picked up a few bibs for our ladies.  The bib pick up situation was one of the only cons to this race.  I've been to MANY bib pick ups and sadly, this one was the worse ever.  :(  It was disorganized and the line was out of control and confusing as they zig zagged across eachother in a tiny room.  It could have been because I got there early, right when they opened.  But two hours later, the situation was the same.  And yes, I was there for nearly two hours.  I was so annoyed that I forgot to take pictures for the blog which I usually do at every race bib pick up.

Good news was that I did make it out alive, equipped and ready with our bibs, SUPER cute dri fit race tops, free mermaid athlete headbands and other freebies!

Sunday, November 10th was the day of the race.  I woke up at about 5:20 am for this 7am start time.  I was planning to get up earlier because I know how slow I move at that early hour but woke up at what I considered late.  I quickly got dressed, shoved some food in (banana + peanut butter as always) and my sister and I left Alameda at about 5:40.  We got to the SF Marina area right at 6am and the Marina Green parking lot was about half full.  This was a relief because I know how difficult parking can be here which is why we arrived an hour before start time.  As we sat in the parking lot, we watched the lot fill up to capacity in like 10 mins.  So just a head's up...if you plan to do this race next year, come early to get parking.  Otherwise you might find yourself parking a mile or more away.  The Marina Green parking lot is a half mile away from start.  This isn't really an issue for me because the event organizers did warn us repeatedly.

My sister and I arrived at the start/finish area and the place looked packed!  It was fun and lively...just what I need to wake me up for this race.  

My sister and I ready for the race.  Just to give you an idea of where this start/finish line is, you can kinda see the Palace of Fine Arts right behind/between us!

So the only other con that I have to report is the bathroom/porta-potty situation.  There just were not enough and the lines were really long.  The last thing you want to worry about is having to go pee right before a TEN MILE race.  :(

This above picture is the line at 6:50am.  You cannot even see the end of the line.  My sister and I were about 20 people from the front of the line when I took this picture.  Luckily we made it to the start at 7am with only minutes to spare.  Fitness Mama tip: If running this race, go to the bathroom at the Marina Green lot where you parked your car.  :)

Christelyn ran the 5k and her race start wasn't until 7:30am and so her arrival wasn't as early as mine.  But we were fortunate enough to meet up with her seconds before I started the 10 mile.  

My only picture at the start line and I got photobombed.  lol

As we stood at the start line, music was blaring and the Mermaid run ladies were doing a great job hyping everyone up for the Sirena 10 mile.

And then the race began.

Mile one was nice and flat.  I had a tough time warming up and I was feeling like this was going to be a LONG ten miles.  I just felt slow and tired and was feeling like I wanted to walk in the mere first mile!  I hate that feeling.  Truthfully, I had not trained the way I normally do for this race because of a busier than usual schedule at work plus I was going through some minor medical issues.  A week before the race, I was really still on the fence about doing the race at all because of these reasons.  But I REALLY wanted to run with my girls and see that Golden Gate Bridge so I went forward with it even though I felt unprepared.  I figured I can take it easy and not worry about my timing.

The volunteer event staff were plentiful at this first mile.  They held up some entertaining signs.  I didn't stop to take pictures but Christelyn did during her 5k.  

My sister and I LOVED this one.  :)

After the first mile the hills started.  And these were some serious hills.  Insane hills that were no joke and seemingly never ending.  We were just going up and down (it felt like mostly up!!! lol) for like two miles.  I was dying.  My sister was doing so well and she pushed me to go harder and not walk for a long time.  At one of the last hills, I just could not do it and ended up walking for a bit to conserve energy.

Once we hit mile 3, we were on the Golden Gate Bridge.  The bridge itself wasn't completely flat but the incline is nothing compared to what we just went through a mile ago.  And it wasn't until mile three that I finally found my stride and felt at ease.  I was able to relax into a rhythm, enjoy the scenery, and remember just why I LOVE running so much.  So so much.  <3  Because just a mile ago, I was cursing those hills!  I was glad to find that inner peace that running gives me and I was feeling like I could really do this without so much walking.

As you can see, the views are stunning.  Running this course really is something you HAVE to experience at least once in your life.  It is just beautiful.  

so glad to have experienced this course with my sister!

This is an out and back course.  Once you get to the Marin County side of the bridge, you get a much needed aid station then you turn around to go back.  When you turn around and look at the bridge and the city of San Francisco it kind of takes your breath away because it is just all so pretty.  Be sure to soak this all up and take it all in at this point if you do this course.  It was a perfect day.  No fog to cover the views!  

View from the Marin County side

As I mentioned before, I was able to find my happy place and do most of the rest of course easily.  On the way back, there were no more tough inclines so that also helped.  All we encountered were more beautiful, scenic views.  The last bit of the 10 mile course merged with the 10k and 5k courses.  I only took a few photos at this point but Christelyn was able to get some pictures in with some of our Mamas who were running with her.

At the end of the course, I don't know why I thought it was going to finish where it started.  Well it did.  Sort of.  But since I was thinking in my head that I was seconds away from finishing because I had the start line in view, I was hugely disappointed that the finish line was in a different spot.  After just running 10 miles, I was ready to be done but the course took me through a couple twists and turns before I can see the finish.  This was all mental and of course it was hard for me to focus after being disappointed.  lol.  It wasn't even that much of a difference of where the start and finish were but I was SO DONE!  You know that feeling where it seems you are just giving all you got?  I was at that point.  :)  I even said OUTLOUD ''where is this darn finish line?!" and thankfully a fellow mermaid cheered me on and said "it's just around the corner!  You're almost there!".  And she was right.  My sister and I crossed the finish and officially became 'Mermaid Athletes'!  

Us at the finish line







The atmosphere and the support during this race was unbelievable.  It felt similar to NWM but perhaps not as chaotic because it is smaller.  I would recommend this race to anyone especially if you have not experienced running over the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge.  Take the advice I listed above and you will have a great experience!  

Instead of big medals we got these SF Mermaid Run necklaces.  It was a nice change from the medals I usually get and they are so cute!

Damn it feels good to be a Gangster Mermaid!!!

                                 

Which race would YOU say was your most favorite course?  Why?   

Get It Girl Wednesday: San Jose Rock and Roll Mini Marathon 2013 Race Recap

If you're in the bay area and you love running events, the SJ Rock and Roll Half Marathon is an annual event that you do not want to miss.  My husband and I ran the half marathon in 2012 and had a great experience.  So great that we didn't hesitate to sign up for 2013.  The only issue was that I had the See Jane Run Duathlon the day before SJ RnR.  Such a bummer that everything landed on the same weekend!  I knew that realistically, I didn't have time to adequately train for both.  Training to run for a 5k is definitely not the same as training for a half.  I probably could have completed the half at a slower pace but I also didn't want to risk injuring myself.  It wasn't worth it.  So my husband signed up for the half while I signed up for the Mini Marathon which was a five mile run just to be safe.

 And I am glad I did that because the SJR duathlon wiped me OUT!!  :)

Because it worked out so well last year, we decided to stay at the beautiful Fairmont again the night before the race.  The Fairmont is a couple blocks away from the start line and then the finish line is right at its front door.  Super convenient how we do not have to wake up early to drive the 40 mins. from home to SJ and then look for parking downtown.  Also, it is really convenient for us to have a hotel room for the kids to wait for us in so we can actually have them there post race.  Parents who run, know how awesome it is to have the kids there but yet this is really difficult logistically!  I won't explain further.  

So after SJR, I got home, showered, then packed up the family to go to SJ.  After checking in, my husband and I headed over to the San Jose Convention Center to pick up our bibs.  The convention center was only a block away from the hotel!  I am all about making our busy lives simpler and you could not get any easier than that.  

entrance to the convention center

the Rock and Roll half marathon expos are ALWAYS so organized!  I LOVE that about them.
There is a separate pick up window for each corral.  You never have to wait in any long lines.

Once you pick up your bib, you go around the corner where you pick up your free shirt and free swag bag.  Again, plenty of room, no lines and very organized despite the fact that we waited until the very last hours of the last day of packet pick up.  Awesome.  We took care of packet pick up business in less than 10 mins.

another RnR swag bag to add to my collection!

We walked around the expo, got more freebies and checked out a few booths but I quickly ran out of energy as the morning's events were catching up to me FAST.  We headed back to the hotel and pretty much stayed there for the rest of the night so I can rest.

My boys.  Big, fluffy Fairmont bathrobes are the best.  Thanks #FairmontSJ for another great stay!

The next morning, my legs were still sore from the duathlon but I dragged myself out of bed, ate a light breakfast (banana + peanut butter is always my go to pre-race/run snack), got dressed and somehow found my way to the start line still half asleep.  With the sun rising, and the infectious energy of 16,000 runners all anxious to start the course, I finally woke up.  Someone sang the National Anthem before the first corral was released.  I always get teary eyed when I hear the National Anthem!  Am I the only one?!!  Yeah I knew that I was.    

The Start Line.  We were in corral 2. 

 I quickly gave my husband a pep talk (he was hoping to PR on this fast, flat course) and we were off to start the race.  The first three miles were easy for me.  After mile three, I started getting tired.  And then bored.  And then it got HOT as the sun got higher in the sky.  This was not going well.  My legs started to feel so heavy and tight, probably from the day before.  At this point I was so glad to have signed up for the five mile and not the half.  There was no way I could've done the half.  

I ended up running the whole five miles.  The only things that kept me going were all of the people who live along the course who were out on their lawn cheering everyone on.  There were also a lot of neighbors who set up their own unofficial bands to play music.  All of this, along with the official course bands and high school cheer squads, helped distract me.  I was thankful.  By mile 4.5, I felt like giving up and walking but by this time, I was back near the Fairmont and the streets were packed and lined with tons of people waiting for their loved ones.  Their energy pushed me to sprint the last half mile.  Isn't it funny when you absolutely think you can't go on anymore but then find that you CAN?  It's like whoa...where did that come from?!  And where was that energy a mile ago?

The mini marathon was not timed but according to my watch, I finished in 48:28 mins.  When I got to the finish line, I heard crickets.  There was no one around because I was in corral 2 and was one of the first to start even though my course time is pretty slow/average.  It was so strange BUT NICE to go through the finish line experience with only a handful of people vs. 16,000 other people.  Five different volunteers tried to hand me my medal.  Water, chocolate milk, gatorade were being offered to me left and right.  I had my post race pic taken by event staff with NO line!  The volunteers were so great.  My most favorite post race offering at this event was FREE Jamba Juice.  Ohhhh sooooo refreshing.  

I had time to shower and get ready + get the kids ready in time to meet my husband for his finish.  He ended up beating his PR by seven fricken minutes!  Amazing.

My teen.  We were just waiting at the finish line for my husband.  But I wanted to post this picture because it is VERY rare that he agrees to pose for a picture!  I just wanted to prove he exists.  

So with the SJR duathlon and the San Jose RnR it was a packed weekend!  We even went to my teen's baseball game after RnR.  I was exhausted.  I gave myself a much needed break from running.

It has been about 2.5 weeks since that weekend and I've only run once...a quick 5k.  I've been trying to do other things to cross train so that I can give the muscles I use for running a break.  I'm about to get back into it though because I have a 10 mile race to run sometime in November.  After the 10 mile, I have no other races scheduled for the rest of the year.  I'm not sure if I should just give all these races a rest for awhile to avoid burnout.  Having a goal of running a race helps keep me on track with my fitness though.  

How do you mamas stay in shape year round?  How do you work out?  And what keeps YOU motivated day in and day out?

Get It Girl Wednesday: See Jane Run Duathlon 2013 Race Recap

After I ran my last half in August, I was looking for another race to tackle.  I was thinking perhaps another half before the year ends.  During my search, I came across the See Jane Run (sprint) Triathlon and Duathlon.  I have never done a triathlon or a duathlon before and I thought that if I had enough time to train, I would like to try to complete one.  So I researched it some more and found out that the event site was only about 15 minutes away which was GREAT.  Yay!  But then I quickly was disappointed to find that the race would be in the beginning of October which only left me about two months to get ready.  Boo!  I felt that this was not enough time for me because A). I'm not a strong swimmer  B). I haven't rode bike for over ten years.

But I couldn't let it go.  And of course I kept seeing messages like this everywhere:

I wanted to stay active and knowing myself, I needed a goal in order to do that.  So I had to sign up for something, anything.  And I kept going back to this SJR event.  I told myself that OK....I KNOW I won't be able to do the Tri because I didn't have enough time in my schedule to devote to really get strong at swimming.  I work full time plus both my boys are very active in after school/weekend activities.  But maybe the duathlon was possible because I'd just need to focus on learning how to ride a bike again (instead of focusing on swimming AND biking).  I hemmed and hawed for two weeks and in the end of August, I took my old bike out for a spin and surprisingly did OK!  I went out for six miles that first day and was super sore but felt good.  This gave me a little bit of confidence. 

With my heart beating out of my chest, palms all sweaty, I pulled out my credit card and paid to register for the duathlon during the first week of September.  Yikes.  A year and a half ago, I couldn't even run a full mile without stopping.  This is part of the reason why I had so much doubt.  Everything is still so new to me and we all fear the unknown right?  I also knew full well that I only had a month to get ready which scared me but I was going to practice what I preach: No Excuses.  Period.

As the training days went on, I noticed I wasn't sore from riding the bike anymore.  I figured out a good RPM for myself and how to focus on keeping at that pace.  I also did a ton of research on proper seat height, proper foot positioning, good pedal stroke, proper cycling form, etc.  If you guys are interested I can talk about everything I learned in another post.  But if you are going to try to do a cycling race, it is SO important to read up on these things in order to prevent injury.  

About two and a half weeks before the race, I was SUPER sick with a bad cold.  I tried to continue on with training but just made myself weaker/worse.  So I had to stop a full week to rest.  This set me back but I told myself that if I finish the duathlon without passing out then I've accomplished my goal.  

I had a ton of anxiety leading up to the race.  There were just so many unknowns.  Where do I park my bike?  Will it be really crowded in the transition area?  Will I be the only one not knowing what they are doing?!!  I had not had any time to get to Shadow Cliffs Park (where the race took place) to try out the course either.  So taking a possible wrong turn and getting lost during the race was something that was weighing on my mind too!  I have to thank my sister for talking me through my freak outs and my anxiety.  Having experienced a duathlon before and having much more running experience than myself, she was able to talk some sense into me.  She also let me borrow her lucky helmet!  :)

I picked up my race packet the day before just to reduce a little bit of anxiety.  At least I'll have my bib ready and not have to worry about that right?  I got to the car with my stuff and looked at the goods.  In the packet there was the bib, a home arrest looking ankle bracelet and a sticker with a number that matched my bib.  I had no idea what that sticker was for so I went back to the store and asked them.  Had I stopped to think, I probably would've figured out it was for my helmet.  This is what happens when I freak out...I can't think!!  Of course when I got home, I had to frantically message my sister...WHERE ON THE HELMET DO I PUT THE STICKER?!!  Front?  Side?  Back?  As if it meant life or death if I put it on wrong.  Turns out it doesn't matter.  

 My husband and I arrived at Shadow Cliffs about an hour before my start.  The Tri ladies started before my race and I was able to see them all start their races in the water.  It was so beautiful and inspiring.  Swimming scares me because I don't swim often and I have no idea if I can go 400 yards.  But this just means that I'm going to have to do this someday!

This is the transition area; it is a fenced off rectangle in the parking lot.  I decided to wait in the car a bit because I had arrived so early.  But I should have  immediately picked out a spot to set up my transition and THEN go back to the car.  By the time I got there with my bike, most of the spots were taken and I didn't want to move anyone else's stuff to make room for myself.  My husband helped me set up my spot by a tree which worked out fine.  This event probably needs more bike posts because I did notice all the other trees were also soon taken. 

pre-race stretches led by the SJR team

#word Story of my life. 

There were four different entrances and exits into the transition area....all with timing strips on the ground to record your time (off the ankle strap they gave me at bib pick up); you have to go into the proper entrance/exit in order to get timed correctly.  After familiarizing where to go and when, I headed to the start line.  The first leg was a 1 mile run.  There is a pretty steep hill sometime in the first quarter mile but everything else is flat.  The course is on a dusty, gravelly trail.  The weather started off cool but it got hot QUICK.  

Me trying to say hi to my husband!  I was so happy to see him right before I have to leave on my bike!

I'm happy to see I'm NOT landing on my heel!  #noheelstriking

After the one mile, I went into the transition area and I wish I had gone faster here and not take my time.  I think I could have gotten out with the bike a lot quicker if I had a water bottle already attached to my bike.  Instead, I futzed with a Dasani bottle and stood there and drank it.  Time wasted.  At the time, I didn't really care about my timing; I just wanted to finish.  But when the results came out and I saw that I ended up in SIXTH place in my age group, I start to think in my head different things I could've done that would've landed me in top FIVE!  

The bike leg was 8 miles.  I thought it was going to be all flat but there was a steep incline right at the beginning of the leg as you exit the park.  Maybe have your bike already shifted to a low gear before you start if you want to do this race next year.  There's also another steep but short hill sometime after mile 6.  I debated getting off and walking at this hill.  It killed me.  I wanted to quit.  My legs were simply not trained enough for this.  But I somehow pushed through and made it.  This was one of those 'fitness accomplishments' that I am proud of and will never forget.  One day, this hill be like cake but on this day it was one of the hardest things I had to do.  :(

This race has also taught me that if you do care about your timing, then getting a bike that is better suited for this road would be ideal.  The only bike I had was a mountain bike.  This route was all road/pavement/cement.  And because the bike distance was short, I wasn't too concerned with not having a road bike.  But on race day, it was very discouraging to have so many (who had road bikes) pass me up on the bike leg because I was working twice as hard to keep up on my mountain bike.  The only reason I got sixth place (and not last place! lol) was because my short little legs can run even though I'm not so great at the bike thing.  Anyway, I recommend getting a road bike or a hybrid bike for this race.

The above (not so flattering) picture is of me re-entering the transition area.  If you look at my mountain bike it has the knubby, bulky wheels.  The road bike next to me has thin, light, smooth wheels...perfect for speed on the roads.  Again, in the end, it will not matter what bike you have if you're not concerned with timing.  Don't let this stop you from trying this race.  There were ALL KINDS of bikes there; I definitely wasn't the only one with a mountain bike.

My husband was able to come into the transition area to help and coach me at this point.  I needed those words of encouragement because just a few moments ago, I thought about quitting! 

I knew that this last leg was going to be tough.  In my training, going from bike to running, was the hardest for me.  The last leg is a 5k with hills.  Getting off the bike, my legs were feeling like lead.  I felt like I was running with weights on my ankles.  In water.  Upstream.  After awhile, I was able to run that heaviness off and felt good with this last 5k.  But as with every race, I was SO GLAD to see the finish line!

I REALLY want to encourage all you mamas to try this race or something similar.  Or try something new that you feel intimidates you or scares you.  You might wonder why you balked at the idea at all once it is all said and done.  I had so much fun learning all these new things and accomplishing something I never thought I'd do.  This SJR women's tri/duathlon event had such a supportive vibe.  I found being with these other women, a lot of them also moms with their husband/kids cheering them on, is so empowering.  This event proves that moms CAN do ANYTHING! 

I had a busy weekend.  I completed this duathlon and then went straight to San Jose to pick up my bib for the SJ Rock and Roll mini marathon for the next day.  Race re-cap coming up for this event with pictures!  Stay tuned!

Get It Girl Wednesday: Brazen Racing Summer Breeze Half Marathon Race Recap + Running Form

For my fourth half marathon of the year, I was *determined* to beat my PR (personal record).  My timing for my third half marathon of the year (Seattle RnR) was so far off  from what I was used to getting that I wasn't really sure if I could even get anywhere near the PR.  The last time I beat my PR was over a year ago (and I've ran 5 halves since then).  I was very apprehensive but I wanted to do this once and for all.

So I trained.  And trained some more.  I train with EVERY half I do because I'm so afraid of pushing myself too far and getting injured.  But this time around, I switched things up a little.  This is what I did: 

#1--I changed my diet.  Since starting this blog and really learning about how Christelyn eats clean, it made me realize that it isn't so hard.  And everything she made sounded so good. When we filmed Good Day Sacramento, she opened my eyes even more at all of the healthy foods she had me set up for filming. She inspired me so much.  I dropped white rice.  This was really, really hard for me.  I eat mostly protein, vegetables and fruits now.  I am not on what I consider a super strict diet.  I still have my sugary coffee in the morning.  I had a cronut the other day for the first time!  I have not lost any weight but I do feel lighter on my feet and more energized.  And the lower belly pouch that I've had since I had my first son at 21 years old is shrinking!  I am far off from a 6 pack but I didn't even know getting rid of that pouch was possible.  I thought I was stuck with it for life because I worked out all the time and could never get rid of it.  What finally did it was my diet.  

#2--I used a different training plan.  My go to plan is Hal Higdon's half plan.  This time around I used Jeff Galloway's plan.  The Jeff Galloway plan is a walk/run method.  I didn't follow the plan to a T but I used the basic concept of it.  I think this plan helped me get over a mental plateau I have been on for a year.  At this point in my running, my body could handle the pushing but for some reason, my mind couldn't handle it...or it wasn't mature enough?  I know this might only make sense to other runners but I don't know how else to explain it.  I have heard this before from other runners.  Running can be compared to growth and development stages and you just have to get through these stages and learn in order to go further or improve.  Jeff Galloway's plan helped me do this.

Both of these keys I think helped me PR at the Summer Breeze Race.  

This race takes place in San Leandro, CA.  The start is about 10 mins. from my house with no traffic but Mr. DJ, who was also running the race, and I decided to get there about an hour early.  There is only ONE lane on the street leading into the park where the start/finish line are.  I've ran a race here before and learned my lesson that there is a HUGE traffic jam on the one lane street and traffic can be a hassle.  This is just a head's up for anyone who might be planning to do this race next year!  

Just like at every start of any race, I was nervous.  I don't know if I'll ever be not nervous.  Brazen puts on a great event with food available before and after the race.  But I couldn't eat anything before my race.  I was way too nervous!

I started the race off pretty fast.  I tried to slow down because I didn't want to burn out early but I just naturally kept going back to my 'Miracle Mile' pace and felt good.

Me on the course.  Picture taken by event staff.

I wanted to share this above picture because it highlights what NOT to do.  :)  I have been consciously working hard on my running form and I have gotten better but it really is difficult to break bad habits.  This picture shows that I am definitely a heel striker which I am working on improving.  Studies show that when you heel strike, your leg is extended away from you (vs. being more under your hip), creating a force that could be jarring to your knees and hips (risk for injury!).  Read this article from runcoach.com for more information about this.  Below are some more event pictures showing the running form that I'm trying to master. 

landing on a flat foot.  landing knee is under hip.  Good.

Super tired at this point.  Can you tell? haha.  But notice the foot is not landing on the heel!  Good.

Right before the half way point of this race, I started to feel really tired.  It's an out and back course and the turn around is right near the San Mateo Bridge.  After the turn around, I started to get a second wind as the sweeping views of the peninsula across the bay were so pretty.  I also passed a mom pushing her physically disabled daughter in a modified wheelchair.  I thought if that mom can run this easily, there is no reason why I should give up.  I had to take a few deep breaths and blink some tears away when I saw the mom and daughter.  That mom's strength and perseverance was so beautiful and it inspired me so much to keep my pace up.  I wish I knew her name.

This race is definitely a lot smaller than the Nike races or the Rock and Roll races.  I was by myself for a lot of the second half which was hard for me because I didn't have anyone to follow or focus on to pace me.  I just had to continue to push myself.  I kept looking at my pace on my watch and was becoming a little obsessed and somewhat disappointed when I saw my pace slowing down.  I decided at mile 10 I was not going to look at the watch again.  

By mile 12 I felt like I was done.  I didn't feel as if I was near a PR.  No one I started with was any where near me; I assumed they all finished ahead of me.  All of these negative thoughts.  At mile 12.5, was when I saw Mr. DJ.  He always finishes ahead me and but always returns to the course to see me through the last half mile.  I swear I was going to start walking had I not seen him.  I really needed that push of someone running with me to pace that last half mile.  It's like having someone carry you through but not actually carrying you.  What would I do without my better half?!  

As I came to the finish line, and looked at the big ol' clock, it said 2:09:13.  Or something like that. I can't remember exactly but all I remember was that it was under 2:10 which was my goal!!  I felt that I ran so slowly during the second half of the race that it couldn't possibly be right.  So I didn't even celebrate my PR until I got home and looked online at the results.  haha.  Mr. DJ kept telling me the clock/timing was accurate but I just could not believe I accomplished my goal.

Like I've mentioned. this race isn't a big race with a ton of participants but it's always nice to see your name in the top 20 isn't it?   :)

Mr. DJ and I, post race

I realized a lot of our #fitfam was also at this race.  But I didn't know until I got home and saw all of the pictures online on everyone's IG and FB!  If you guys ever see me at a race, please come over and say hello!  I would LOVE to meet you guys in person and I promise I do not bite.