PF Chang’s Race Recap

This is one of the few marathons (half) I complete each year. I just love it. This year long after I had signed up, my friend asked me to join their team. Naturally I joined. The team was named Race Sirens. We even got some swag from being on the team. There was 17 people on this team. Most of them were first timers so they all met at the light rail. I myself was going with my man, who because he is amazing, was going to wait for me till I was done. If I saw him great, but with 30,000 participants I doubted I would find him.  He parked and I hoped out and got on the school bus.

When I got off the bus, I decided I had about an hour to wait so I put on my robe. Then I was warm. I also looked like I was HUGE, but I know the truth.

After getting stopped a few times about how warm I looked and how smart I was to wear that, I followed the directions to the bag drop off. Both my robe and my sweatshirt underneath were going to be donated.

Funny that in a matter of minutes this will soon be full of people.

Here are some of the gals with the team. Left to Right- Sue, Sushein, Yoomie and me on the bottom. There were two gals I didn’t know.

Time for another picture. Me and my lovely warm outfit. It got ditched about 10 minutes later.

We are almost up there. One more corral to empty then it is our turn!!!!

We are next…Next I say!!!

And we are off. Let me make a quick note. Over the last 5 months I have been dealing with knee and ankle pain. Docs been helping me heal myself. However, I just got a shot 2 days before the half marathon, (for my IT band) in my knee. I was NOT supposed to run a long distance. I was sent away with permission to run about 3-5 miles. But I had to WALK the rest. After struggling with the walking thing, I finally was okay.

I ran from the start, then began a 8/2 program. I would walk super fast for 8 min then run fast for 2 min. The goal was to obviously finish, but in under 3 hours. I had just finished Vegas and did it in 2:26 doing the 8/2 (run 8 walk 2) but I really had no idea how this was going to turn out.

There were many things I got to see along the course. Below is some rocker guy who had a guitar. No ipod for that gal, he’s gonna play her tunes for the entire race.

Now we have the the bumblebees. Who are grown men.

Now we have wrestler dudes. Sadly I am so slow I only got the backs. I should run the marathon backwards so I could get some decent pictures to post.

Dude, the 5k already?!! Awesome. I was feeling fine, Starving but fine. I knew there was some food on the course soon.

Mile 4.. Man I am almost done!

Mile 6 crept up! This is going so fast! I felt fine, no pains and my runs were going well! (totally sounds like I had a bathroom issue).

Here are the Sesame Street Cheerleaders… Featuring Elmo!

And the cookie monsters! Who had actual cookies. I took one, then worried for the next 2 miles that I would be paying for that.  Gratefully I forgot about it. And no “issues with the cookie”.

I am now officially in trouble. The man in a white coat is coming to take me away.

Besides taking pictures, and checking out the things people wear, I was digging the signs people made.

Well duh. I think he is saying we work out?!

The infamous Inflatable rock and roll dude. Man I could totally use a smaller version of him for my car in the carpool lane.

The sign says “Catch me if you can Bitches” By far my most favorite!!!

Ahh,where I was a second or two ago. Yes, seconds I’m on my my super duper 2 min running time.

This sign said, 1.5 miles to beer. The othe said 1.5 miles to PEE. At this point I texted my man to tell him I was almost done. He was surprised it was fast. Then I told him I had to PEE BADLY! He was not shocked.

Let me say at this point I know I can run this but was still saving it. I was running a little more and had stopped doing the 8/2 and just going with it. I ran the last mile strong and came in at 2:42. As I saw the finish line, I was crying. I have no idea why I do this. I have done this 16 times, and each time I act like such a girl and cry. So each finisher picture is of me crying but trying to smile. I flew fast that last mile and went through the finish line stuff, got my medal and food. I was asking for ice for my knee but they were TOTALLY OUT! Crazy! I had to go to meet my man at the family meet area (all the way at the other end of the lot). I got there, and sat down, stretched and finally it was picture time.

Yaa another medal!! I am DONE! Half marry number 17 finished!!!!! Next Little Rock Full Marathon March 6th!!!!

A lot of our team people were still out there, and I was hungry. We headed home for some grub!

Next year I am doing the FULL. I already signed up!