Believe to Achieve

So I worked last night, dressed up in a Zombie costume (torn dress and scary make-up) over my running tights with a huge green button down light wool sweater.  Drove Melanie and Kim to the start of this half marathon at Aspen Grove.  Conversed in the warm building for a bit then headed down to the Riverwoods (the ending) to get started on my trek up the trail to meet them then run as fast as I could on no sleep with them.  The race started very late.  Could have run 9 miles before meeting them but stopped at Vivian Park (6.2 mile mark in the Half).  The run up was extremely cold to me, winds and ice and fog.  Just plugged along thinking how insane I was and how insane I looked.  Mostly my arms and legs were frozen.  Got a lot of comments on how I looked on the trail.  I fit the part, a true zombie running the trails on no sleep.  At Vivian Park the fog was more intense it was crystalizing the water at the station and all the surrounding grounds.  I waited about 20 minutes while my sweat began to freeze.  Jumped in a strangers car and warmed up (thanks again!!) and waited for Melanie or Kim to wiz by.  And boy did they.   Melanie was the first woman (a bandit, however) and Kim was third.  I also saw Julie Esplin (as I identified later).  I flew out of the car as I saw Mel pass trying to catch her.  I stayed pretty close to Mel for a bit then Kim was right there and I kept her in my sights (they finished in 1:22 an 1:24).  I came in just under 1:25 and something (not thru the shoot of course) but I did get tons of cheers.  I just pushed my body to the max on empty.  Actually felt more with it then Hobble Creek Insomnia Half.  Last 7 Miles were at a decent pace.  MaryAnn came up to me during the race and I was able to pull ahead.  Her breathing was labored (asthma?)  I felt strong then had weird sensations like my dress was falling off with my large sweater around my waist.  Just losing reality but still focused.  Ended up sixth girl including Mel and Kim (bandits), Julie E., and some young girl, and tutu girl that passed me the last mile.  No big kick at the end because hey I am a bandit and need to exit stage left, so I did about 20 feet from the finish, not long after Kim.  Now to try and sleep because I work tonight on Halloween in the nursery-- the best part.  Sad to miss my kids trick-or-treating.  The hospital is in lock down so they can't even come visit except outside.  Total mileage 14.  The course wasn't marked but course tooled it to be 13.25 mile half.  Garmins reading 12.8. Not sure of accuracy with either method.  Pace was 6:30  to 7 down, 8:20 to 9 on the way up.