1:56:13

That was my finishing time for the 20k today. The "official" time was 1:56:48 but it took 35sec to cross the start line so I'm sticking to my real time! What can I say looking back on today's event? I'm so glad I did it! Thank you Suzanne for asking me clear back in March! And a big thanks to those of you who encouraged me to stick with it when I was having doubts a few weeks ago.

Results:
*3700 signed up!
1991 Male Finishers
1539 Female Finishers
3530 Total Finishers

1743rd place overall
522nd place out of women only
82nd place in my age bracket (total of 207)

Driving home today I was thinking about all the different thoughts I was having during the run. I'll try to go mile by mile and share some of them with you.

Mile 1- Ok...that wasn't too bad. I'm still surrounded by way too many people though. Come on, why don't some of you just give up now so I can have some running space. That took me 9min? Jeesh I really thought I was running faster than that.

Mile 2- Legs are still feeling like jelly, I hope I find my groove soon. *looked at watch* Damn, only 16min, that means I ran that mile in 7min? Whoa. I need to find a pace and stick with it or I'm going to collapse by mile 5.

Mile 3- Here comes the barbie twins up beside me. (There were these 2 chicks dressed identically in pink & white shorts & sports bras. But it didn't stop there, they also had matching belly rings, earrings, & bronze tans). No way in hell am I going to let these chicks beat me. I picked up my pace just enough to leave 'em behind me.

Mile 4- Did I just get passed by "Blind Dude"? Yep. (That's what it read on the back of his tank and it was connected to another guy with a cord. How cool is that, running a 20k blind. I was super impressed.) I looked over to the left and there was a guy with "Finish With Jesus" written on a paper on the back of his shirt. Hell, if I stick by this guy I should be good. Jesus will keep me from collapsing from heat stroke.

Mile 5- Oh that water looks good, should I use the toilet now? No. Keep running. Feeling good. Poured some water on me and kept on. Mile 5.5- CRAP. HAVE TO PEE. Damnit. Thank God the urge was quick and over with, for now.

Mile 6- Squeezed some Power Gel crap into my mouth, tastes like crap, and WTH didn't I take it with water??? Oh yeah, my damn bladder can't seem to hold any form of flippin liquid anymore. Almost halfway, feeling ok, time is around 50min, best yet.

Mile 7- Oh great, here comes that big ass hill. Several people had stopped to walk up it, hell no, I train on hills, no way in hell I'm stopping. My speed definitely decreased but I didn't stop. Once I made it up the hill we were running through town and crowds were cheering. The best part of the run was between mile 7 & 8. Some sweet folks were holding out hoses and spraying us with water. Bless them.

Mile 8- I can feel myself slowing down just a tad. I kept telling myself I was 2/3 of the way done, no stopping, no walking. Even if I had to slow way down I was NOT walking. I was trying to add up my time to make sure that if I slowed down to a 10min pace I would still finish under 2hrs. It was looking like I could do it in 1:50, sweet.

Mile 9- Where the hell did all these people come from? Seriously, I was getting passed left and right and I know I hadn't slowed down that much. Damn. Can I keep this up for 3 more miles? Ughhhhhhh.....

Mile 10- OMG, what happened to all those kybos I passed? Aren't there any more? There has GOT to be one close....HOLY HELL am I going to make it? (We're not just talkin #1 here folks, TMI- IN KNOW!!)

Mile 11- Have to stop for a quick min, I don't know if I'll make it to the potty. Shit, stopping makes it worse, started running again. I did this about 3 or 4 times stopping for maybe 5 sec each time. I probably looked like a damn moron. OOOOH people with water "Is there a bathroom nearby?" Quarter-mile, ok, you can do it. Had to stop for maybe 15sec b/c I thought I was going to lose it right then and there. Mile 11.25- THANK THE LORD THERE'S THE SHITTER! Potty break.

Mile 12- Damnit I lost some serious time stopping. But damn do I feel better. Ok. So I just ran 12, WTH do I have to run another .4? Shit. My ass felt like it was literally dragging on the pavement.

12.3- Oh I see the end! A sign stating WOMEN was on the left and MEN on the right. That's the finish right? (Hell no, again this is me being a complete moron). I kicked it in good here. I think I passed at least 20 people and felt like I was kicking some serious booty. The crowd was huge and I swear I felt the eyes on me b/c I was blowing them away. Oh yeah, it felt good. Then I hit the sign and totally slow down b/c I thought I just finished. Damn idiot I tell ya. There was at least 10sec of running left and about 5 of those people I'd passed blew right by me, probably laughing their asses off in the process.

FINISH- Holy Batman I'm spent. Hey? I'm walking and don't have to pee! Guess that pitstop was worth it. :) My legs felt like pudding but my confidence was soaring. The feeling was awesome, and I'm so happy to have finished it and met my goal in the process. And you know what? I beat the Barbie Twins.