Believe to Achieve

This was my first NO sleep start of a race.  Meaning I toed the line of the Thanksgiving Point Half  at 7am with Melanie after clocking out from work at 6:30am sleeping only 3 1/2 hours Friday  morning after working Thursday night.  I made a stupid trade for someone and work three Friday nights in a row  : (((.  I never got a moment's rest at work.  Lots of sick babies, crying babies all through the night.   So I didn't register and went to support MelanieB.  I couldn't even make sense out of my legs beneath me.  NO neural drive and no neuron connections to my muscles.  It was as if I was running in slow motion.  My garmin was full and it was the first time it didn't pick up my pace.  I swore I was running 10 minute miles.  The universe was in stand still.  But I thought I'd try my lap button and was glad to see that thru all the MAJOR rolling hills with steep inclines I ran a 7:28 avg (5 miles).  My breathing was never labored I just couldn't get my dead asleep legs to move.  My head was in a cloud and I began to think that I am an ULTRA personality.   I think I could tough out 100 mile runs because of the runs I do on no sleep no matter the pain as the nerves in my legs feel totally fried, burning and I am still pushing through it.  So when I got to the road that crosses past the JRP I started to cross the street and stay in the "race" that I wasn't racing and thought I should just turn off left and get in to the finish line to be there for Melanie's finish.  I got to be right there as the lead guy passed mile 11 and was over 3 minutes ahead of the next guy.  I felt like I was "way in the lead" : DDDD as spectators looked at me.  I tried to stay off the course and ran on the side walks and on the opposite sides of the true course.  I got back with over 10 minutes to spare before Mary Ann S.  came in first followed by a runner I did not recognize.  And another fast BYU track girl and then another and then MELANIE.  Since my garmin was messed up I had no idea where they were at for finish time and when I heard Mel's time I was sooooo proud of her.  1:30!!!!! She is tooo awesome.  I am thinking that work is overated and running is not.  I am taking some time off so I can be a real runner.  I hope that goes over well.  I just got to be brave and stick up for myself.  I am working too much and I am at the end of my rope in survival techniques.  No worries I am sure I will get a grip on myself come Monday's 23 miler.  BTW  I do love my job its just that I love running/racing more.  10.41 miles at 7:15 pace average.  The last five miles I was booking it pretty good at 6:55 to 7:07 pace.