I knew going into this race that I was out of shape and fat. My first 13 miles AND race since my stress fracture (my longest run has been 10 miles). So my main goal of the weekend was to have fun (even though secretly, I knew I would be disappointed with my time). I dropped my preschooler off at school and picked up Collette (we went to SG last year together and had a blast!!!) and Kellie (my newest running bud in the neighborhood). I knew I instantly liked Kellie because she wanted to stop and get a soda before we hit the road. My kind of gal!!! We had a wonderful conversation on the way down to SG. These are such intelligent, interesting, educated, and funny women. So darn awesome! We headed to the expo and then to the hotel. After unloading our stuff, we ate dinner at Brick Oven. While eating, I started to get a case of the chills and body aches. I just prayed that I wasn't starting to get sick. After we ate our fill and laughed until our cheek bones hurt, we headed back to the hotel for some shut eye. I took some Advil before bed in hopes that it would help my pending cold. I struggled with my clothing choice for the race. But finally settled with capri tights, tank and long sleeved shirt - which ended up being perfect. I found Smooth and Karen and brought Smooth's stuff to my car (I got to bring her home after the race....lucky me!!!). We walked right up the start and the gun went off. I ran with them for the first 6 miles. It was SO wonderful to catch up on life with those lovely ladies. I started to loose steam after 6 miles and lost them on a hill. I took a GU somewhere in there too. My lack of fitness was starting to shine through. It bothered me. Though I can't train any faster after this dumb injury, it was eating at my ego. I could see Smooth's green hat just ahead of me, but could never catch her. Around miles 7, I caught up to Collette. We chatted for a minute, but were both too tired to say more than a few words. So we just ran. I left her after a mile. Mile 12-13 seemed to take forever. It never seemed to end and my ankle was starting to get tired. Not to the point where I needed to quit, but just tired. Finally the bridge came and then the finish line. I saw my cousin Callie at the finish area and was SO darn proud of her PR! Yahooo!!!! I caught up with Rachel...oooo...I miss her! And lots of other FRB's! I started to get a bit nauseous and just weird. So I sat down and chatted for awhile. But then I started to really get cold. So Collette, Kellie, Smooth and I headed back to the hotel for a HOT shower (I even took a 10 minute cat-nap). We ate lunch at Cafe Rio in Cedar City. Again, it was a wonderful conversation on the way home. I was able to catch up even more with Smooth and realized just how much more I love that woman! Though I ran my slowest half marathon ever, I was very sad to see the weekend end. It was just long enough to feel rejuvenated, but short enough that my family didn't suffer.
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