Akron 1/2 Marathon 2013 Recap

I have tried writing this post for a few days now. My thoughts have been all over the place. I think I have it figured out...

It's done. 4th 1/2 Marathon in the books.  Will there be a 5th? Time will only tell...most likely. 

The morning started off pretty good. Slept great. Woke up feeling great. Toni texted that she was on her way from Cleveland . I wasn't able to "do my business". Everyone was out the door on time. At my dad's on time. Again, a fail in the "business" area.

Me. Deb, Dad

Head down to the parking zone.  All is good! Dad's relay team is there. Deb's marathon partner is there. Toni made it in time! Onward to "poop alley". Maybe the smell will get things moving.

WINNER!  It did.

Snap my picture with my dad and Deb. Get into our corral and wait for the day to begin.  Few more photo ops with the girls and I huddle Kelly and Cristen to give them a few last minute words of encouragement: Have fun! This is YOUR race! You trained for this! Enjoy it! Take it all in! I am so proud of you!!!

Then I huddle with Toni. She's been battling shin splints the last 2 weeks. She's worried. "If you have to walk, you have to walk. Don't hurt yourself. Stop. Go easy. There will be other races." 

Me, Cristen, Deanna, Toni, Kelly

Speedy-feet and I glance at each other. She knows what I am thinking. She knows I am worried. I can see the excitement in her eyes. We don't need to speak. We know. 

And the gun goes off. 

Speedy-feet and I start out together. 

We get to my mom and Terry! Big smiles. 

Head onto the bridge. Give Speedy the nod and she's off. Cristen and Kelly catch up. We run a little together. It's kind of a blur honestly. Back across the bridge and it's all coming back to me now. "Business". Ugh. I talk to Cristen. Fill her in. Start to tear up. Not again. Not. Again. 

Mile 4.5. Send her ahead. Just go. I will try and catch up. Big. Line. Damnit. Text bffae. She always knows what to say at this time. 

Start back out. And this is about where I say I am never doing another 13.1. "I'm done. Retiring. Hanging it up. I think I will concentrate on improving my shorter distances. Make the 10-15k my race. Will I have to change my blog name? Oh ok what if Cristen and Kelly want to do another one. Crap. CAF wants to run one next fall. Just run Tami."

Yeah. Those were the exact thoughts. 

I know Nate will be at mile 8. I can get there. So will my niece and my sister and brother-in-law. Oh an Madi (Speedy-Feet's daughter)! 

And I do. And I smile. And cry. And touch their faces. I keep going. However, yell back to them "I'm NOT doing this next year!" People around me are laughing. If they only knew I wasn't kidding...at least not at that moment! 

Keep going. It changes thru the university. This will be new scenery. Something new. Boy has that university changed in the oh, 20 years since I first started college. Ha!

Back at mile 10 and I see my mom. Give her a kiss. Tell her thank you. Love you. And keep going. Cristen is only about 5 minutes ahead of me. I can catch her. 

Go across the bridge. Half way across I see Kelly! We high 5! You got it!! GO! I keep going. Got. To. Find. Cristen. 

Back across the bridge. Smile at the hottie cops at the intersection. Yeah, I'm smiling. I'm almost done! Woooohoooooo!

Turn the corner. Oh the finish line is right there. Find my song on my iPod and put it on repeat. 

Keep going. Almost there! 

Turn the corner. Down the ramp. Into the stadium. OMG I am finishing. I take off on a HOLY HELL I AM A KENYAN SPRINT! (Pretty sure I look ridiculous but I know the people are cheering so I am gonna do it and DO IT BIG!). 

And I cross the finish line. I'm done. 

No PR. At least not from last years time at the same race. But it's a PR overall in my 13.1 career. I will take it.  

Find my girls. And start to cry. Sob. 

I'm done. Race is over. Not sure what comes next. Or when. 

I had fun. And I got 2 of my besties to do something they never thought they could.  

That is a victory itself. 

Run. Strong. 

-t-