RockNRoll Nashville Half - 13.26 mi/10:17 pace

My third half marathon. My first half with this many runners...35,000! It was organized, but crowded and crazy. I started off in corral 18, at the very front of the corral. Caught up to the back of corral 17 in under half a mile. From then on it was pure craziness. Wouldn't have mattered what corral I was in. All I could see forever was runners. It never got spread out to where you had much room. I ran the whole race constantly passing people. Ran the left side mostly and hopped up on the sidewalk several times when it got really crowded, which worked out pretty well. The only thing that really frustrated me was the water stations. Every one I stopped at was backed up at least 5 people deep waiting for the cup to be dipped and handed out. I am appreciative to all the volunteers, but it really affects time when you have to stand in line waiting.

I started out really strong. Ran the 2-3 miles with a sub 9:00. Then decided I'd better pace myself. I stayed way under my 10:10 mark I had on the Garmin until around mile 11. After that I stayed under the mandatory 10:18 pace to get at least a 2:15. But here's the kicker. My Garmin reads 13.26 miles instead of 13.1. That's why I had given myself some cushion room on my pace, but the last couple of miles I fell behind that and was running a steady 10:17. I sprinted the last half mile...almost having to nudge people out of my way it had gotten so tight. I almost hyperventilated after crossing the finish line. Just couldn't not catch my breath

So I finished in 2:16:25 and my time to beat was 2:16:07! Can you believe that???? I wanted to set a new record on this race so badly. But I trained hard and I know I did my best out there today. It was a tough course with the crowd and the hills, but I ran it strong. I've got to accept the fact that my PR was made on a nice, flat course. There'll be another time to break that record!

Had a fun, fun time with Amanda and Linda this weekend!! So proud of my girls on their first half marathon! They did an amazing job! I hope they're hooked now because I am ready to plan out the next road trip!!

Warrior Dash Mississippi 2012 - 3.4 mi/13:51 pace

All I can say is the Warrior Dash ROCKS! We met up with my sister-in-law and a coworker of Clint's who brought friends...and had a blast! It was cold! Don't think it got out of the 50s all day. Once we got started we warmed up. Had some great obstacles!! I ran the whole race but the obstacles really slow you down, especially when you have to wait on people to get out of the way. I felt well prepared. No problem with any obstacles. Saw some injured on recourse. Thankful it wasn't me. Had to swim through water where I couldn't touch. There was plenty of mud on the course. Lots of climbing, army crawling, jumping over fire, etc. Lot of crazy costumes today. It was a throw-down party, for sure. Laughed my butt off today. Now I'm ready for Tough Mudders !! I finished in 47:06. :) Fun time!!!!