5th 1/2 Marathon

Sunday morning I completed my 5th 1/2 marathon. But, prior to running 13.1 miles I met up with several TNT (team in training) gals to run 7 miles. We were scheduled for a 20 mile training run so we just added miles to our 1/2 marathon. I met up with the girls before sunrise in Wichita. We put in our miles and had about 30 minutes to spare before the 1/2 started. I had worn brand new running shoes for the 7 mile run and should have changed into my old shoes prior to the 1/2, but since my legs felt great I decided to stick with the new shoes. Let me just say by the end of the race that was a lesson learned. The race started out well, when I was at mile 4, the runner in first place was already on his way back and only had 4 miles left. That was one fast dude! At the second water spot I decided I had overdressed and stripped off my long sleeved wicking shirt and just wore my TNT shirt. Unfortunately that added time to my run and I spent the next three miles trying to catch up with a TNT member. I finally caught her and stayed with her for a bit and then I decided that I needed to slow down a bit or I was going to be crawling to the finish line. I was so happy to receive an encouraging phone call from Ryan and Madelyn to keep me going. At mile 10 or 17 (if you're counting) I started to hurt, at mile 11 (actually 18) I was really struggling. I stopped to walk and called Ryan. I wasn't sure how I was going to make it, I had decided that I may just walk the rest of the way. But, after some coaching from Ryan I was on my way. With 1 mile left Madelyn and Ryan called to cheer me in. Love them! I came in at 2:11:02. Unfortunately that was my 2nd slowest 1/2, but I guess for running 7 miles prior it wasn't terrible. After the race, Madelyn came running up to me and told me how proud she was of me. Of course that made me cry.

Right after I crossed the finish line.


Participant Medal... even us slow runners get one! :)


My achilles are really sore and I have a nasty blister on my big toe...that was the lesson learned from wearing new running shoes.
I am officially less than 6 weeks out from the San Diego Marathon.