Viking 2014-PR!

After my 2nd marathon, I decided I wanted to train and race a half-not race to finish, but race for a time.  So, long story short I decided to race the Greenwood, MS Viking half with some of my Clinton Running buds.  So, off I went training (I plan to blog that process next), and the weekend came! 

So, off Renee' and I went to Greenwood, to stay at my dear friend Robby's house. His mom cooked dinner for us and I seriously felt like royalty.  It was great.

Coffee, bib, classy/swanky hotel, and a selfie in Robby's room made for a great Friday night.

So, off to bed we went, woke up, and off we all went, embarking on the windy, chilly, but flat race course.  It was a pretty great first few miles, and mile 3 was really windy.  Around the end of that mile is when this woman, Carey, and I ran together.  You know-like-runners have incredible non-verbals of staying together. So after a little while of running next to each other I asked her what her goal was and after hearing her PR of 1:45 and she that she had no goal, and me sharing my crazy goal was 1:50-we realized we were PERFECT running partners.  So-off we went on the rest of the race, chatting UP a storm, and ranting about random things.  It amazes me really how runners can be friends for a total of an hour, and share so many emotional moments of life.  So, we crossed that finish line together-and my heart was just radiating from getting to finish it with her.  I hope to run again with her! 

Carey and I after!

What a moment.  Seriously.

A few friends and I all ran the race, so it was fun after watching Joey, Sallie, and Amanda all cross and have their moment.  I was thankful to have my cheer buddy Renee' there at the end, and then fellow friends to celebrate the run with.  The running community has/had/always will change my life.

Me, Renee', and Sallie post-race.  #bedhead

So, as I said above, my goal was 1:50.  I wasn't sure if that would happen, so it really scared me that I told everyone I wanted 1:50.  However, I went for it.  Here is our final time, with splits.  I am mostly in shock that I ran this.  ME..as in.  The kid who claimed to NEVER be able to run 13 miles in July.  The kid who was SO pumped to finish a 1/2 in 2:10 on the dot.  Now.  This kid finished a 1/2 in 1:48.

splits!

So, when I finished.  You get an 'official' sheet saying your stats, and as I got mine printed, I found out that I got first in my age group!!  So, we stuck around so I could get my award and see the other girls that placed. I must say, watching the other girls get their placing medals, I momentarily felt out of place.  I don't LOOK like a girl that runs 8:15's at a race.  I trained at 8:30-8:45.  I don't LOOK like a skinny mini runner.  Today I have seriously eaten enough food for 10 people and I feel NOOOO shame.  Mostly. But. At this moment-I felt a bit of shame.  I wanted so desperately to look like them, and be 120 lbs.  But no-I will totes be my 140 and run the hell out of my race-just like them.  I tell my fellow runner friends who are not as fast as me to not compare to me or any other runner, but to compare to themselves.  And-as I say this- I realized I am PREACHING to the choir to the Nth degree.  So, needless to say-I am seriously proud of getting 1st in my age group, and 8th in ALL females!!

my finishing medal, and my 'award' for 1st place!

So, now I have no races planned, and am super excited to just RUN my heart out-FOR FUN!! : D.