Chickamauga 1/2 Marathon (11-12-11)

I'll start with the only negative thing that I could come up with for yesterday - the alarm that sounded at 0345.... Anyone that knows me, KNOWS I hate getting up early - but, this time I was glad I did. Thanks to Simple Fuel's DELICIOUS Granola for keeping me company on the ride up!

I arrived early enough to get a fantastic parking spot (Yes, that is the start finish line just a few yards away)

 

I crawled out of my toasty car and went to packet pick-up - which was in a toasty tent staffed with awesome volunteers.  Got my number (1079, which kind of concerned me because of what it means in 10 codes - look it up and you'll understand)  Was handed my race shirt (which was not white and was printed specifically for the half marathon!)   Also received some cool swag in the form of a custom race belt with a pouch and thingies (technical term) to attach your bib.

(yep, that's a sneak peek at the medal too)

With about an hour before the start, I was able to crawl back into my car and stay warm for a bit longer (It was about 29 degrees at this point).  I finally decided that I'd have to get out and start getting "used to" the temperature- Found my friends that I was going to be with for the next 13.1 miles or so and we went over to the encampment where the starting canon was located (yes, I said starting canon) 

Finally, it was time to start (Start had been delayed because of soem crazy traffic back-up coming into the race site.)

We were off - a wonderful group with Cindy Ralson and her husband, Ray (it  was Ray's first  1/2 marathon), Mystie Buice (it was her first race EVER) and Jonathan Wilkins ( (who was "taking it easy" before he did a 50K the next day).

 

Running and walking through the battlefield was an amazing experience - I'm not sure I'll ever get to go through a more scenic course...

    

 Being in the back of the pack, we got to meet some really wonderful people - Jean was, by far, my favorite.  She is 83 years young and started running at 82 (something about a double dog dare from a grand child)

 

A little over 3 hours later, the finish line was in sight -

 

I was really excited - realizing that I was going to meet all my goals for the day - to finish, to beat my time from my first 1/2 marathon and to break the 3:30 mark! 

Before I started enjoying the after- race festivities, I took a moment to remember why I was there that day.

 

My friend Michael Keim is currently awaiting a double lung AND bone marrow transplant.  He has fought harder than 99.99% of anyone would ever even think of fighting, all the while maintaining an exemplary attitude.  I dedicated this race to Mikey, and can only hope to be half as tough as he.

Then, it was time for us all  to enjoy some of the yummilicious soups, pizza an banana pudding (I could have dove into a tub of the pudding it was so good)

Throughout the event, there were some amazing volunteers who kept us hydrated, fed and in good spirits.  They MADE this race what it was - and were very much appreciated.

It was time to fly home now -

This was a fantabulous day - many thanks to EVERYONE for making it so sweet.


*photos courtesy of the AMAZING Cindy Ralston*

Reality setting in...

WOW - Reality is smacking me in the face that next year is going to be BIG.  Not only am I less than 100 days from completing my first full marathon  at the 26.2 with Donna  ( www.breastcancermarathon.com )  but I also just sent out my first email letter requesting donations for the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon in which I am participating with a great group of people from Push America (see link at right). 
I recognize that it will be tought training for these events - and I will most likely get frustrated on an all too frequent basis - but my perceived suffering will be far less than those for which I race.

I run - so that others might be able to...

Ignition

ig·ni·tion/igˈniSHən/

Noun:

The action of setting something on fire or starting to burn.

Well, since my last post - I can certainly say I've been ignited.  The spark that was missing for a couple of months has started a fire which I don't see dwindling any time soon.

 

I've registered for my first TWO marathons (The Breast Cancer Marathon in Jacksonville on 2-12-12 and the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. on 10-28-12)  There's even talk of me entering a 50k race sometime in 2012.  How's that for a former couch potato?!

 

Both these races are very exciting and will get many posts (I promise)

 

As exciting, if not more exciting than the races, is my newly established partnership with Sherry Post and Simple Fuel (an all natural meal replacement that is easy and takes only seconds to fix)   Sherry started simple fuel as a powder meal replacement in her own home and has been kind enough to now share it with the public.  I'll wait till my booming excitement settles a bit to tell you more about the awesomeness of Simple Fuel (if you cannot wait, there's a link to her website on the right side of this page-[and if you decide to order something, just add a note that I referred you!])

One week pre-Peachtree

So - it's a week before I run 6.2 miles down one of Atlanta's most well-known streets with 60,000 of my closest friends.  Yes, 6 0 0 0 0 people - I don't like people en masse and I am doing this on my own free will.  Thankful that I have a couple of close buddies that will be the alongside me (well reasonably so).
I am definitely not racing this like those in the beginning waves - I am going to be challenging my fitness a bit and trying to have as much fun as I can in the process.  I discovered at a recent 5k that a smile makes a big difference to not only yourself - but also the others around you - it's turning into being a body lingo mantra for me!

(and yes I know this is fairly random - but I am writing this after a long shift at work - just wanted to get the old blog going again!)