It was almost a perfect day for running. 45 degrees, but with the wind it was pretty darn cold while waiting for the race to start. Due to the wind I ended up wearing my running jacket (it was just too cold without it), so naturally at the 2 mile mark I was sweaty and wishing I'd left it at the starting line (Next time I will take a long sleeve shirt to toss off instead or get arm warmers). Also had technical difficulties with my garmin due to forgetting that the GPS was off until 3minutes before the start (today happened to be one of the days where it took forever to find satellites).
I met my running friends about 3 blocks away in a park (for ease of finding each other & parking). After getting the last race bib pinned on (I had picked up one gals packet for her as she was out of town until last night) we walked/jogged to the start line to see off our friend running the half marathon. Lots of trying to stay warm later it was our turn. At this point I'm still trying to get my garmin to find satellites. I started out running with the whole group, but ended up running the first 2 miles with my friend that I usually consider my "beastly fast" friend. The pace wasn't hurting me and I was able to talk so I figured I was okay. The first half mile was slightly uphill, but nothing compared to my usual route. The other gals in our group tend to run on the flats and they had some trouble. Finally about the 1 mile mark I got my garmin working and "started" my run (I'll be correcting that run to the official time a soon as I find it out).
Right about mile 2 my knee (the left one) starting really bothering me. I made it to about 2.5 before it hurt so bad I had to walk. I ended up walking about a minute before running a bit more. Total I probably walked 2-3 minutes. I'm bummed that I had to walk, but it wasn't because I was tired or didn't have the legs or went out too fast. I was able to run except for the sharp pain in my knee.
I past a traffic cop in the last mile who told me 6 more blocks, so I got to the top of the little hill and ran the last 5 blocks to the finish line. I'm not sure of the official time, but I crossed the finish line at 35...something which anyway I bend it is a PR for me. I definitely crossed the line smiling due to seeing 35 on the clock at all.
I found my sweet husband and kiddos at the finish line, got a banana and a water and watched my remaining friend cross the finish line. The boys wanted to go home because they were cold, and I couldn't blame them, so we headed out. I'm now sitting in the recliner with my feet up, a knee brace on, and an ice pack on my knee. Hopefully it'll feel better tomorrow, but if not I'll head to the doctor to see what I've done.
Here's a photo sweet husband took post race. The time is wrong as I didn't find him until after I got water/banana etc, but I wanted share anyway.
UPDATE: Official time....34:47!!!! Yipee!!!!
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