The morning started far too early! We got to the park and quickly got our packets and loaded on a bus. I was happy to see my sister Jody get on the same bus a few minutes later. We waited and waited for the race to start - what a joke?! We all decided that we were going to try to stay together and run around 9 minute miles. Of course the beginning was crazy crowded - some people are so inconsiderate when passing. I was glad when mile 3 came and I gu'd and things started to spread out a little bit. I was able to keep the first 6 miles under or at 9 minute pace. By this point our group was no longer together and then I started to slow, but was able to keep it under 10 for the remainder of the race. I got super hot and had a hard time breathing around mile 10 and was so grateful for the down hill and the shade to calm myself down. After the water stop and misters ( loved them) I had to get a little more mentally tuff. I knew that if I really pushed I could maybe hit it at 2 hours, but there just wasn't enough energy there for that. I crossed the finish line at 2:04 on my watch and am happy with that. To be honestly, it was hard and I'm proud of myself for running the entire thing!! | 