The Red White And Boom Race Report!

This is a picture of my running group after the Red White and Boom Half Marathon. We went to Hell's Kitchen for breakfast:)

I would like to take a moment to thank all of you for leaving me those wonderful and supportive comments! I was overwhelmed and tears came to my eyes as I read them. I really do love each and everyone of you and appreciate your kind words and well wishes. This is a hard time for me but having such a great support system makes it easier:)

I call this picture...me and the boys:) Arvid, Rick, me, Ron, Paul and Tim. Well, I survived the Red White and Boom Half Marathon! I got up yesterday morning at 3:30 AM so that I could get ready and have enough time to drive into St. Paul. I was planning on meeting my team for group pictures at 5:15 AM. I drove to St. Paul and found a parking spot in a lot across from a big ramp. I pinned on my racing bib, gathered my things and started walking down the street I thought that I was supposed to be on. After walking a few blocks it was clear to me I was not going in the right direction. Have I ever mentioned that I am directionally challenged? Seriously, I am the worst and I drive my hubby absolutely bonkers! I looked at my watch and started to panic because it was 5:05 AM and I needed to meet my group at 5:15! Yikes! I must of looked like a sorry soul because two cars drove up and the owner of the first car rolled down his window and yelled, "Hey, good luck today!" I yelled back, "Do you know how to get to the start line?" The nice gentleman in the second car yelled, "Matt, give her a ride!" Matt told me to get in and I was so happy to have a personal ride to the start:) It turns out that Matt and Sam were both pacers for the race! God, I love pacers! Matt dropped me off right at the Team Up tent and wished me good luck again. I thanked him and went on my merry way. Within a few minutes people started to show up and I saw my running team. After they picked up their racing packets we walked to the Team Up tent and had our pictures taken. It was pretty busy and the photographers were shuffling running groups in one after the other. I met Average A by the tent and spoke with her for a few minutes. We were both planning on taking it easy today. We decided to at least start out together by the 10 minute mile pacers.

Me and Tim.

Mark and me.

This is my view of the people in front of me about ten minutes before the start. It was 85 degrees and super humid already! I knew that this was not going to be a fun one and I was so glad that I brought my hydration belt. There were only four water stops and I knew that I would need more than that. After taking a few pictures I headed to the start line and found the 9:55 minute mile pacer girls:) I have seen both Tanya and Becca at several of the half marathons this season:) I met Tanya at Earth Day and talked to her for a long time at the Minneapolis Team Ortho expo. I met Becca at the pacer booth for the Lake Minnetonka half. I looked around for A and did not see her anywhere....I figured that I would eventually see her somewhere along the course.

Here is my view of the people behind me.

Tanya took this picture of me right before the start. My plan for the run was to take it easy and do a jog/walk program. I figured that I would stay with my pacer girls for a few miles and then walk a few minutes. I would just listen to my body and make sure that I never felt like I was pushing it. I stayed with my pacer girls and the 9:55 pace seemed so slow but it was nice.

This picture was taken a little after the start. Sorry about the crappy pictures but because of the humidity and my running, there is motion. The first two miles went by and it was so hot and humid. Yuck! It looked cloudy and we knew the rain was coming. It was somewhere between mile 2.5 and 3 miles where it started to rain. It actually felt good....I was thanking the running Gods for cooling me off!

It was at about mile three where I noticed Speedo Steve out on the sidewalk taking pictures. I yelled Steve and waved. He yelled, "Go Julie!" I attempted to take his picture but it was just a blurry mess! After I saw Steve I told the nice woman next to me that Steve is a famous Minnesota blogger. I told her what a Tri stud that he is and that he has an awesome blog with a huge following. She noticed my St. Cloud River Runner's shirt and asked me if I knew Kathy. Kathy is also a member of the St. Cloud River Runner's. I told her that yes, I have met Kathy. She then asked me if I was the Julie with the running blog. It turns out she has read my blog too:) At mile five there was a water stop and I decided it was time to rest. This would be my first walking part. I took my gel and drank my water slowly. It felt great to stop and walk for a few minutes. Eventually, I continued on and within a few minutes I spotted A running with her friend Pablo! I pulled up next to her and we chatted, slowly running together. We jogged for a mile or so and then took walking breaks. There were two big ass hills....we walked up both:) It was so much fun chatting with A and her friend Pablo. The time and the miles just flew by and I was totally relaxed! It was at mile eight where I realized that I did not once have the need to use a Biffy or felt like getting sick! Mile nine rolled along and Pablo needed to slow down but urged A and I to continue on.

Here is a shot of A as we were running through a tunnel. A and I moved ahead continuing with our slow pace. At mile ten A needed to stop at the Biffy. There was a line but we were hoping that it would move quickly. I continued on knowing that she would catch up to me. I looked down at my Garmin and I think that I might of accidentally stopped the timer! Crap, why am I always having issues with my Garmin durning races? Whatever! Does it really matter anyway. I started to run with a man who looked like he could of been a football player. He was twenty something and listening to music. He was at least 6 feet 2 inches tall:) We ran side by side for the next two miles. I kept looking back to see if A was on her way. I did see a few runners with the same color shirt as her but no A. Mile twelve finally came and I was feeling good. I decided to turn up the speed a bit. I left my football player running companion waving and wishing him good luck. He nooded and smiled:) I took it up to a 9 minute mile pace and ran steady and relaxed. When I reached the last 400 meters I turned it up a little more running strong and steady. I would not say that I was sprinting but I was moving. I could see the finish line and I was smiling:)

My final time was 2:17:33. This turned out to be a 10:30 minute pace....not so bad considering I walked so much of it:) It took me 23 minutes longer than my PR! This was my slowest half marathon in the books but I am okay with it. I did not ever feel like I had to stop and use the Biffy or did I feel like getting sick! I would say that this was a successful race! Finishing is winning....right Jill?

After the race I went to the Team Up tent for some watermelon and ice cream! Good stuff:) I met A again a little later....turns out she finished shortly after me! I took her over to meet my running team and she took a few pictures. Unfortunately, I am not able to open the file:(

This picture was actually taken this morning. I needed to have at least one picture of me with the bling:)

Do you remember a few posts back how I mentioned that I had gone through a bit of good luck with winning blogger giveaways? I won a few blogger giveaways again! My socks arrived from MCM Mama and I also received a Starbuck's giftcard from Shannon! Thanks ladies!

I am going to leave you with a picture of my boys. Here is my college boy and my little guy. We went to the Como Park Zoo on Saturday and we all had a blast! This was at the end of our day and little guy is a little tired, crabby and sugar maxed:)

Also, a big thank you goes out to my St. Cloud River Runner's team! Thank you so much for being so kind and not being worried about my time. You are all such amazing runners and I am proud to run with you ! You have made me feel welcome since day one and I appreciate it! I had a so much fun at both the race and the breakfast! Never a dull moment:) You all rock!

Happy running, biking, swimming, and lifting! Cheers to you all:)

Anne is hosting a $60 CSN giftcard giveaway!