Today was Tupelo. 10 weeks of training, and then it was here. I didn't do as well as I would have hoped, but I had a good time for most of the time, and really that is all that matters. I'll never win, so it's really just a personal accomplishment type thing.
And now a recap of memories:
Mile 1: It's already been a mile and I feel good. Time is about right.
Mile 2: Well, I've already cried. Good that I got that out of the way. "All Around Me" came on the mp3 player and I just got all emotional looking at the beautiful cloudy sky, the trees in the distance, the smell of morning, etc. Sure, it's dark, but dark morning is a very peaceful time. And it was just a beautiful moment.
Mile 3: Hey, little dog. Look at you hiding under the tree. So calm. Amazing. (Later find out calm dog tried to bite Marc).
Mile 4: Time to try my sportbeans. Fishing them out of their hiding place goes great, opening them goes great. Oh no, I dump half the bag into my hand. Guess I'll just eat them.
Mile 4.5: That might have been stupid. I mean, that was a lot of beans and I don't even know how my stomach will do with 1 bean.
Mile 6: Beans are bad. OMG, I want to die. How can it only be mile 6?!
Mile 7: OK, I have to walk. This side cramp is killing me. Stupid, stupid, stupid beans.
Mile 8: Lord, please take away the pain.
Mile 9.5: I get an expected surge at the water station when a guy picking up cups smiles at me and I say "thank you for volunteering" and he says "thank you for running." I'm running easy and super happy. I'm giving shout outs to everyone I pass on the road. I'm just happy happy happy.
Mile 11: Yes, I'll take 3 cups of gatorade. Normally I hate orange, but this is the most amazing thing I've ever tasted.
Mile 12: How can my gatorade already be gone? I just filled up.
Mile 13: Woot! A mile to go!
Mile 13.5: Stupid race organizers. Why can't they have a normal half marathon? I'd already be done by now.
Mile 13.8: See people drinking cold gatorade and smiling on the side of the road, already finished. I am soooo jealous. Tell them that. They offer me their gatorade. I don't want their pity gatorade. I am almost done after all.
Mile 14: When did this road get so hilly? I know it wasn't this hilly last time, and why is this building so far away? If I don't see the parking lot soon I think I will die.
Mile 14.2: It's finally over. Everything hurts, but I made it. yea God!
On the way back to the hotel (which I make Marc drive to) we see zebras. I think I'm hallucinating for a minute. Then I remember the Tupelo Buffalo Park. Ah, the zebras are real. Whew.
Over 12 hours later, everything on my body hurts and is chaffed. I woke up from a nap only to roll over and feel the pain. In my sleep I've forgotten that I was sore. But now I remember. It wasn't just a dream.
And now it's time for a well-deserved treat. Only 3 months til Memphis!! ha. It never ends.
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