Quad Cities Half Marathon

PRESIDENT

This would be my 4th half and I'm in better shape than any of the previous ones. I was always hurting somewhere. Confused

My PR was 2:28:54 which was my first half 3 yrs. ago in the same race. I set my goal at 2:20 but thought if everything was perfect 2:15 was possible. I had trained hard all summer and had finally been getting faster which I never thought possible. I just figured I'd be a turtle forever. Very Happy

The week prior to race I tried to take easy and relax. I put my time in at work but not much more and training was about perfect. The only thing standing between me and a PR I figured was me getting hit by a car. Surprised

I shouldn't have said that cuz sure enough, I did get hit by a car, sorta.

At the liquor store the night before I got hit it the head by the trunk lid on the car. teehee

So I figured I had it in the bag then. Surprised

Most of you know I love, love, love, running in the heat n humidity I hate to be cold, hate it. The final weather report was borderline long sleeves/short sleeves as well as shorts or long tights. I went with shorts and short sleeves and gloves when the final forecast was 64 partly cloudy less than 20% chance of rain. At the start it just started to mist kinda heavy and I looked at JUJR who told me it was just really humid.

It quit not even a minute later and off I went. I had decided not to wear my Garmin, I just feel too much pressure during a race with it and if I was to PR it would be on my own. I am great at pacing and am very consistant as well. I did set my ironman watch just to kinda look if I wanted to. My first mile was 10:41. It was slower than I wanted but it was crowded. At mile one I took off and threw the LS shirt I had just to get me warmed up to start. At mile 2 I had 21:00 on my watch so I was picking it up. I never looked at my watch again. I was getting warm so I took off my gloves about mile 3 and tossed them to a po-po asking her to just pitch them. Then I realized I had also peeled off my wristband that said JACKED UP that came oddly to the gym last year on a bottle of tanning lotion. Mad

I was mad, but I couldn't stop n go back now. It was also right after that the temp dropped and the wind kicked up.

I knew I was doing well cuz I was with people all the time unlike before when I would be alone much of the time. The miles just clicked off and I was feeling great still. I took fluids at every stop and a Espresso GU at mile 6. I managed to keep my straw for drinking on the run tucked into my sport bra until the last water stop when I dropped it. As I came around the corner and saw the clock reading 2:18 something I knew I was gonna finally get what I deserved and work so hard for. Mr. Green

My chip time was 2:16:07, 10:23 pace- a PR by almost 13 minutes. Shocked

I am happy with that, I threw down all I had. The course was a bit different a few pretty good hills that hadn't been there before but still, no complaints from me.

JUJR and I had decided to do this race earlier in the summer and couldn't find a room. Her Dad gambles down there and got us free rooms at the casino hotel and free meals! thumbs up

Thanks Jim!

We had a great time, lots of fun, tons of laughs.

I would like to thank JUJR for all her help and pushing me during some tough training runs this summer. You are still the best biek bish around JR. thumbs up