But it's a special Saturday night, 11/10/12, the third anniversary of my first half marathon - a race in Richmond, VA that I marked with running the same half marathon.
(What a difference three years makes.)
As I write, I am fed up on meat and beer from the local restaurant the Village Steakhouse, my calves are being hugged by my Zensah compression sleeves, and I've got the first of at least two glasses of water next to my left hand to drink before I lay down.
(What one learns in three years.)
Today has been a whirlwind day of perfect awesomeness.
(Even the weather gods smiled kindly three years later.)
Ladies and gentleman, the course:
This morning was the usual pre-race flurry. Groggily making coffee, choking down a bagel, lacing up and pinning on the bib number. Downtown, at the starting area, we made a last minute pit stop and checked a bag for me to pick up for all of us before I ripped off the top to a Gu and headed towards my starting corral.
Richmond has been labelled "America's Friendliest Marathon" and I have to say, that even from the start, you could feel this vibe. Everyone was happy, the air full of excited chatter, and the volunteers were keeping things running smoothly, the half marathon starting at 7:30 sharp and my B Wave starting exactly 2 minutes later.
The memories flooded in as soon as I started running that straightaway down Broad. Three years ago, the skies were a churning grey, the air heavy with mist, and the winds whipping up bands of spitting rain; runners flung shirts and garbage bags left and right as they warmed up in the first mile. This morning, the sun shone bright, the skies were calm, and no one had need of extra layers. I was also running with a group paced 20 minutes faster and these people knew what they were doing. I quickly honed in on a woman in a pink shirt and told myself that I would keep her in my sights.
Taking the first right onto Boulevard, we crested a hill over a bridge and then I powered down. Into mile 4, you run down a beautiful split parkway and get to see your fellow runners doubling back. Three years ago, James and I saw my cousin Bridgette as she sped along with some Richmond friends.
Just before heading into Bryan Park, I remember seeing a beautiful pond, complete with a fountain, and a fading willow tree. Then we hit the Party Zone and the crowd really ramped it up.
While three years ago running through Bryan Park was a chore, this year I welcomed the rolling hills and change of scenery. I kept powering down the back side of the hills to make up time where I could and tore open my second Gu as I left the park.
Miles 9-13 were an absolute treat. Virtually flat and full of spectators, the last miles were some of my most lucid. It became apparent to me at Mile 10, which I crossed at about 1:25, that a 1:50 finish was not highly likely. But, if I busted my ass, I figured I could pull out a sub-1:53. I was very aware of my pink-shirted rabbit that I was chasing and at mile 11, I threw on my burners and ran past her.
(I was also acutely aware of the Inclusive Racing teams, especially Team Heather and Team Keith, which ran beside me almost the whole time. Those teams were badass.)
It was especially eerie, remember my death shuffle three years ago. A quarter of a mile slog, a few choked tears, some walking and repeat. Not this year. This year, my last 5K was my fasted 5K.
How about those splits?!?!
A big kudos to the race planners for adding a truly spectacular downhill finish (different from three years ago). Gravity enabled a whole new level of sprinting. :-)
It wasn't 1:50. But 1:52:28 is not too shabby.
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