Sweat, rain, and snow: my first half marathon.

I am sitting (very gently!) on my ass in front of my computer trying to recall the past morning. It's a morning I have been anxiously and nervously anticipating for over three months. Now the excitement is over and all I have left is a slight pain in every muscle of my body, booty muscles are very much included....

I just ran my first half marathon- ok, yeah I admit, its not the real deal, full 26.2 miles of an actual professional marathon. It's like the "going to second base" version of the marathon, not only half as far and less committing as going all the way, but you still finish with some of your dignity. In long distance racing, runners often lose control of their bodily functions... I'm convinvced that the half marathon is the utilitarian's race of choice-- the most fun (fun being measured in miles) you can have without too much puking, etc.

Only once did I have to step in the puke of the runner in front of me.

There was snow (go- figure, snow in Seattle), rain, puddles, sweat, pain, ipod music, numbness, hills... it was abeautiful way to start the morning! I really felt like my training had paid off, I kept on my goal pace the entire race and even kicked it into the finish line.

I have to say that the best part was having all the downtown mainstreets blocked off so that we could run in style. I also liked the part about running on the I-90 curve that eventually led us through the I-90 tunnel! Feeling a good kick at mile 9 was a plus too....but nothing beats the inumberable amount of free stuff that the vendors were giving away at the finish line...

When I crossed the finish line, I was numb from head to toe. When warmth began to enter my body I realized how much my legs and ass hurt. I can barely walk. My average mile pace was 7:25 which means I finished in 1:37:00 or so....I got 11th place out of my age group.

I can't explain how amazing it feels just to be a participant, one of among 6 thousand people, and to just soak in the energy and excitement of those around me. It was a great race...but I feel like I never want strap on my running shoes ever again.....