Even a mule PR's once in awhile

My new mantra

It's been 3 days since I ran the Kentucky Derby Half Marathon. 

I ran this same race 2 years ago and the outcome was much worse. Largely in part because I drank heavily the night before the race. Beer, not water. This year I chose to behave myself, after all, I had been planning since January on having this race be my new Half PR. What I wasn't planning on was my slovenly, running ways to rear their ugly head. 

Finish Time: 2:05 PR!

Race: crowded elbows to assholes (I'm sorry but it's true)

Course Pros: running through Churchill Downs, home of the Ky Derby

Course Cons: 12 miles of neighborhoods and LACK OF WATER

My best running friend, Tami, and I had been hatching a plan since January, when we smashed a new 10 mile record for ourselves, that we would tear this race apart. Sub 9 min miles the entire way. I think this might have been doable but I came down with strep and neither of us were putting in the speed work we needed to get this done. So, about a week ago we decided that we would shoot for a time between 2 and 2:05. I new it would be easy for her but would take work on my part. 

I have no clue why I can't straighten this picture out.

Before the race we met up with my friend Julia from Utah! You guys know her! She's awesome and so supportive! Shortly after we visited, we nestled ourselves into corral C. It was suppose to be about 80 out but felt really comfy at the start. It had been awhile since I ran a corporate race that was packed!! We were close like cattle. The gun when off and it was like upright body wrestling and trying not to trip. Walkers, attention walkers, please don't hang out up front. Not cool. 

First mile was 9:44. Not nearly good enough but I figured we had been people- hopping the entire way. More like a game of Frogger than a half marathon. Second mile, 9:30. Closer to where we needed to be. Third mile 9:20. Ok, a little better. But then, by mile 4, I was back to 9:40. I was so mad at myself. Here we were almost halfway through this thing and I was "easy like Sunday morning". Tami knew I was frustrated at myself. She would glance over and ask me how I was feeling. I was fine, just not giving it all that I had or all that I needed for us to hit our time mark. 

At mile 6, I took out my GU, put the ENTIRE thing in my mouth, ran over to a water table to shoot it down and they HAD NO WATER. WTF!? So, I did what came natural. I went in search of water. There were volunteers there and I had a mouthful of GU that needed help washing down. I went behind their tables and over to their volunteer cars. I finally found a fire hydrant that had a water hose hooked to it. I still can't believe that happened to me. At the later water stops they found it suffice to put about 2" of liquid in a cup. 

Ummmm, I'm sorry water stop volunteers but 2" of liquid in the bottom of a cup isn't enough to quench the thirst of an All American athlete like myself. I felt like I was sucking cotton balls and licking sand each time I left a water stop. It was making me unhappy. Yeah, sad runner face.

So, as the miles wore on, we would yo - yo between 9:40 and 9:20. I was metaphorically driving Miss Daisy to the finish line. Finally, Tami at mile 8, looks back at me and says " if we wanna make time, we're gonna need to hurry up from here on out." She was right. I told her to get in front of me and run and that I would follow. We had work to do and I needed to get over myself and run. 9:20 would be our slowest mile from there to the finish, with our final mile being 8:15. I wanted to barf and pee my pants at mile 11 but neither took place. We finished strong and I learned that I can actually run if I set my mind to it. I thanked her profusely for taking control of the race and control over my brain and forcing us to that finish line. She knows how to bring out the best in me.

Look, me and a chicken, and we're sideways.

HAHAHA, look, this picture is sideways too!! Tami and I, sideways in crime.

Next stop, Flying Pig Half Marathon this Sunday with my friend Michael! I'm so excited!!