Shoot for the Stars

Lincoln City Half Marathon and 10K. 9 a.m. on Sunday morning. The weather was perfect! We stayed at Nicole's parent's beach house the night before. We drove about 10 miles from her place to the race-Waipati (sp?) park-a little outside of Lincoln City. The weather was slightly chilly in the morning but it warmed up nicely. It was probably about 50 degree weather. It was sunny out with partial clouds. There were about 400 runners/walkers. I really didn't know what to expect with the race because I hadn't studied the course prior; it was all a surprise. Lots of Nicole's friends ran it. 10K: Nicole, Casey, Justin and his cousin, Kevin-Jordanne's bf, Jeff-Casey's bf. Half marathon: Lisa, Jordanne, me. I felt pretty good on the race but I know that i had started out too fast again. It is so hard to stop those anxious legs from going! I started fast and kept a good pace til about mile 6 and then I was tired, but I kept pushing. Whenever I would see my GPS go up to 9 min I would run faster to stay under 9 min.There were way more hills than I had expected!!! Whooooo!!! It seemed that past the 10K cut off point it just went up in elevation from there. We only saw 3 aid stations. I took water at every one. I actually was about to hit some twice because of the out and back route. The route went up on paved roads but then to a gravel road. It looked like a logging road. It felt so good to finally turn around and head back. I saw Jordanne and Lisa when I was going back the other way. I think I had passed everyone who ran atleast once. It was so fun to wave to people I knew! No IT band pain. That made me happy! Just some pain on my hip-L side slightly. Also the usual rubbing on my calus on L foot toe area and chaffing under my R underarm. Other than that it was good. I felt really tired going up the hills but was able to keep pushing myself. I would say the hardest part was going up a steep hill about a mile or so before the end. By that time you are just exhausted and it is so hard to go up a hill. I could see it a ways in the distnance. But I was able to keep running and not walk. I acutally did pass a few people going up the hill. After the hill I felt I had nothing left, but after I started to run more I got a lot of energy knowing that I only had a little under a mile left. I felt strong and finished hard! YEAH!!! Nick was there to take pictures of me and support me! Lisa's husband was there with Denali and video taping the whole thing. Good job Lisa for finishing your first half!!!!