Leopard Headband = Quickness

My first 1/2 marathon is completed and what the experience!

First off my mom did decide to go.  We just needed to leave Fargo a bit early.  Anyways...

We arrived in Fargo on Friday about 7:00pm and headed to the FargoDome to registered and look at the venue.  After I did all the necessary things mom and I started to look through the vendors tables.  We stumbled across these dri-fit headbands.  At first I didn't really want one because I looked funky in them.  But mom really thought I would like one, so we found a leopard pink and brown one and I got it.  Turns out the next day I would be super thankful for it!

We went out for a carb supper at about 8:30pm.  Mom was really concerned which I found funny.  I dont eat bread or pasta, but knew that it would be vital for the next day's run.  So I polished off a plate of pasta and several bread slices.  STUFFED. 

The next day we had to be there about 6:30am.  Unfortunately it was suppose to be a 2 hour delay on the interstate because of the marathon.  All the hotel rooms were booked so people were driving in from Waphaton and Valley City.  Crazy!

As we were driving I was getting anxious, like would I make it in the 2 hour time frame?  Would it pour?  Would I have jello legs?  Would I throw up?  If so, would I than finish?  All these questions were just flying through my head.

So racing attire, quite interesting, was my running capris, two shirts, leopard headband, and this bib number.  It had to be visible at all times.  I wasn't sure if I was going to strip during the race, therefore, I plopped it on my thigh.  So attractive I know!  Also I had to put a chip on my shoe.  This thing, to nonrunners, is really interesting.  It gets laced up on your shoe and keeps your stats (see below my results).  Also since 20,000 people cannot all start at once the race officials place laser beams across the start.  Once you cross the laser the chip is trigger to begin.  I was terrified this thing was going to fall off and my race would be done in a poof!  I saw alot of chips laying on the group along the way.... stinks for those runners!

ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, GO!!!

and throw in a down pour for the first 7 miles...

As the race started I found the pace group of 2 hours or 9:10 minute miles.  I ran with them for about 3ish miles.  The man I was running next to be was Amsterdam.  This was his training for his full marathon coming up.  Needless to say I wanted to distance myself from him.  Just didn't want to run by a really good runner because I knew I would begin to struggle.  However, my pace group adventures soon quit.  Unfortunately the first aide station screwed me up.  I knew I should grab some water at each station so I don't wear down.  But the volunteers could not stick out the cups fast enough for the runners.  Therefore, I got stuck behind a bunch and did not want to sprint to catch up.  I did keep them in my sights though for quite a while.

Along the way of course I could not go without coming out with some great stories.  I managed to try passing a cluster by running in the grass.  But because of the rain it had created a mud slide.  I slipped and fell in the mud.  Oh well.  Kept running... the next thing that came up was the street was flooded on mile 5.  Everyone was running around to the sides.  I however thought this was a perfect opportunity to catch up on some time.  I blame your blog Kyle for making me think so much about time :)  So instead of following the group I decided I could run right through it.  I did not think about how deep this swamp was going to be!  It was ankle deep!!  But I did manage to get ahead on time. 

On mile 7 and they were handing out oranges.  I grabbed a slice and stuck it into my mouth like a mouth guard.  Sucked it up and threw it on the ground.  Crazy thing... all the glasses/peelings/wrappers you throw on the ground and they have rakes that are continually raking up the debris.  It was insane!!!

Mile 10 I tried a GU Gel.  Strawberry-Banana.  I will only eat these when I race.  Never, ever just for fun.  Awful.

Also on mile 10 I heard the sweetest thing.  A goose whistle!  Mom had brought it to let me know where she was.  It was the funniest thing to hear and really pumped me up!  I get my weirdness from the Holmes. 

Overall the atmosphere was amazing :)  They had pep bands, bagpipes, cheerleaders, signs, stereos, photographers, and a superhero lining the streets!  It really keep my energy going.  I would slap kids hands, having people cheer for me was just amazing. 

This picture was the finish line.  People watched you spring into the FargoDome on the jumbo screen.  They also announced your name!  Having this intensity...It was honestly so neat... words cannot even describe it!

At the end I can say that I was probably more proud than I should have been.

"Let us run with perseverence the race that is set before us." ~ Hebrews 12:1