It was a glorious day! After a night of getting up about 4 times due to nerves, a headache, and a head cold, and then nearly panicking (okay, I DID panic!) 10 minutes before the start b/c all 100 portapotties had about 300 people in front of EACH ONE, I found my place on Elm Street. My nerves were calmed by a veteran runner telling me that I would "have a great time running the half marathon - they're so much fun!" After the "Runners Ready" Signal and the horn, we bolted down Elm and Trinity and over the Founders Bridge into East Hartford!
I couldn't ask for better running weather - cool, sunny, dry. I ran the whole way and came well within my goal range of 2:10-2:30 with a time of 2:13:47. The run through RiverFront park was by far the most beautiful scene - sun mirroring off the smooth waters of the Connecticut River. Bands played enroute and spectators cheered everyone onward. I felt great the whole run with just a little pain in my knees around mile 11. After mile 10, I felt awesome, as each step I ran was longer than I'd ever run in my entire life (in one running!). I found Matthew taking pictures at mile 10.5 and sprinted over to give him a kiss, then got back into my pace! :) By the time I hit the 12 mile marker, I felt no pressure, because I knew I was close to my 10 min/mile pace goal, and I only had about 20 minutes left.
Inspirations abounded all along the way - like the guy missing a leg, but running on his arm crutches! Or the VERY elderly man I ran by who had run a marathon in ALL 50 states TWO TIMES!!! (He said the "first time" took him 2.5 years to complete! Can you imagine a marathon in Alaska!?)
Afterwards, Matthew & I walked around the festivities in Bushnell Park and enjoyed the freebies and sights. I would definitely do it again, and would encourage anyone to try it - if you train, it's VERY do-able, and even if you don't, you can always walk/run the course with a buddy. It was honestly, the most fun race I've been in to date (and I do love the Manchester Road Race, but it's a bit too crowded, and no water breaks!).
Here's my inspirational verse I kept repeating whenever I was tired:
Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall RUN AND NOT BE WEARY, and they shall walk and not faint."
