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| Just leaving town (Tonya and I) |
Several months ago Tonya asked if I would do Hippie Chick '13. I told her I hadn't planned on it but she just went ahead and registered the both of us anyway...lol. She did ask first! I have to say, I'm glad she did! I really needed this race for a confidence builder for Newport Marathon in three weeks and to get over the disapointment of last year!
Saturday morning Tonya and I drove off about 5:45am towards Hillsboro Stadium. We got there with plenty of time to use the port-a-potty and gather our gear. Then we did a little warm-up going towards the starting line while looking for people we know. Sure enough, we saw our running friend Susan!
Tonya and I got in line and worked our way up to the pace group we wanted. We had just a few minutes to start and Tonya kept saying she had to go pee again, so you guessed it....I needed to pee too! The lines for the port-a-potties were WAY backed up at this point and there was no way to make it back in time for the big start. I decided to "deal with it."
The gun went off and Tonya and I split up right away. Usually we stay together for at least the first half but today we both had different goals. I felt really good. I wanted to hold a 8:15 for the first ten miles but I was going faster. I just went with it because I knew...as soon as it heats up I will slow down no matter what.
The first eight miles went super. I knew the course this year and that was really nice. I also remembered all the spots I broke down last year. Thing is...I wasn't breaking down this year! Even the "hill" we had to go up seemed very small this year. I think it just seemed bigger last year because I was having a bad run.
At the top of the hill we did a turn-a-round. The turn-a-round was about 1.5 miles out and back, so as the elites started coming back, I started counting them. It gave me something to do. 1...2...3....4. I kept counting until about 43. Then I got tired of it and stopped.
I got up to the turn-a-round and started looking for Tonya. Soon I saw her and she looked really good. I could tell she was happy! We gave each other a high five in passing!
As I got to mile nine I began to really heat up. It was getting very warm and I still had to pee. There was port-a-potties along the course, but every time I came to one, I couldn't bring myself to stop...so I kept going.
At mile ten, the plan was to speed up for the last 5k (3.1 miles). I didn't have it in me at this point. I just tried to maintain and keep my overall pace under a 8:15. We ran on a road, gravel, and a blacktop. As I came to the blacktop about mile 11-12 the heat was miserable. I also now found myself with 100's of walkers finishing up their 1/4 marathon. I weaved through them and got tired of my music. I stopped my music and just tried to enjoy the race...I knew I was almost done!
I came to the dreaded corner that Jerry meet me at last year and just flew by...I was stronger this year and I reminded myself of that. I didn't need anyone to come talk me through the last mile or two...no, not this year!
As I came to the "Luna Mile" (Luna bar aid station and final mile to finish line) I was feeling that finish line. I was very tired, but knew the end was near.
As I passed more walkers a lady grabbed my arm and said, "JULIE." I about peed my pants right then and there! It was Tonya's Mom, Teresa! "Hi, Teresa...I've been watching for you" I said as I went by! I love seeing people I know out there!
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| The final .1 mile |
Just before I came into the stadium (the final .1 mile) Tina (another running friend) yelled my name as I ran by. I turned the corner to step on the stadium grass and about took out the walker in front of me! My goodness...sorry lady but you need to move!
I looked up and there was Jerry! Was so good to see him! I took off and ran as fast as I could to the finish. I stopped my Garmin and hoped that my chip time was what my Garmin said, cause I liked what my Garmin said!
I was given a bottle of water and my Hippie Chick 2013 necklace. I went over to meet Jerry and Rylan (husband and 9 year old son). I was so happy to see them. Jerry has been a HUGE help in supporting me this last year with all my running goals.
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| Tonya and I...finished at last! |
I waited for my best friend to come in and then went over to check out the vendors. I won a Brooks shirt and got some food. I love the free food after a race!
I really was glad to be done, the last four miles were really hard but I can tell my marathon training is working. I PRed (personal record) by about 8 minutes from my last half in October. I finished at 1:49:31 (1 sec. off of what my Garmin said). 29th in my age group out of 331 other women. Overall I came in 100th out of 1860. Pretty happy about all that.
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| Rylan (my 9 year old) and I after the race |
I have Newport Marathon (26.2 miles) coming up on June 1st. I have higher scarier goals this year. Goals I didn't think I would ever even think about making for myself a year ago. It's nice having people who believe in me and support me. Looking forward to seeing what June 1st has in store for me! I can hardly wait!
Thank you Tonya!!!!
Great recap and great job on your time - I was there too. What's the deal with a women's race that doesn't have enough bathrooms? I almost stopped at a tree to pee, but I waited until mile 8.
ReplyDeleteNo kidding, lol! Thanks for reading :D
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