Half Marathon, round 2

Apparently the horrible memories of pain from my
first half marathon had dissipated, because

I was in a car headed for my second!

And clearly we weren't the only crazy ones.
You never see an off ramp this busy at 4am!

This time I was the 5th wheel.
Marcie, Austin, Stephanie and Travis let me tag along with them.

I sat next to a lady named Cheryl on the bus. 
She flew in from Wisconsin to run this with her daughter.
Did I mention Cheryl was 65?

The different people that run this always amaze me!

Waiting by the starting corrals. 
I think waking up super early and being in the cold is half of the torture of a marathon!

Oh ya, and using the porta potties, too!

I was sitting on the ground stretching when I noticed a lot of people standing by me getting

their picture taken. I couldn't figure out what the deal was with that spot.

I looked up and noticed the 13 mile marker.

Duh.

I photo bombed a lot of people on accident!

Trying to stay warm.

And then it was time to line up!

They had music blaring, fireworks popping, the MC screaming
 the countdown 3, 2... then lights out, no sound.

They blew a fuse!

The blowup arch for the start line was deflating.

Lol, it was pretty funny.

Backup generator to the rescue and we were off!

I felt really good the first 6 miles.
Almost faster and less crampy than last time.

It was a busy morning at home so I wasn't expecting anyone to cheer me on. 

I noticed Casey's truck and there he was with the girls!
He was amazing to juggle the boys things and rides so he could come support me.

It was the best surprise!!

Not long after I started to slow, but nothing bothering me too much.

I really loved the atmosphere.

I noticed all of the random bystanders cheering on strangers.

People who live on the race route coming out with buckets of jolly ranchers for 

runners to grab.

A family had their own tables set up with griddles making pancakes for

us to carb load on while running!

The funny signs to read and make you laugh.

"Remember, you paid for this"

"Any farts beyond this point can't be trusted"

And then the lead marathoner passed me up. 
Blows me away how fast they are!

Mile 10 and I was feeling it but kept going!

I never stopped, just slowed enough to not slosh my drinks all over me, ha.

The glorious finishing line photo!

I did it! And had a PR even!

My finish time was 2:24:23. I shaved 7.5 minutes off.

Still not that impressive, but I'll take it!
Stephanie whooped us all with her 2:01 time!

The finish line is by far the best part!

We witnessed a proposal.

Got stretched out be the massage therapist and ate all the freebies!

Creamies are heavenly after a long race. 

 

Till next year, Mesa Marathon!