13.1 in 2:13:06

Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
― Gail Devers

WOW, I read this quote today and thought how appropriate for my post about my half marathon. I started running in Jan 09. I paid 80 bucks to run in the AZ rock n roll half marathon but never trained for it so I skipped the race. I told myself I would never do that again. My neighbor was training for a full marathon but pulled her IT band so we were a good team. Two runners who had goals but never achieved them. Only I achieved mine this past Sunday in San Diego. My other running friend told me about the AFC, America's Finest City Half Marathon in San Diego. She had run it a few times before and told me it was great. My goal was to run a half before school started this fall. I signed up for the AFC and was scared to death. 8,000 people all running together did not sound that fun. The scenery would do it for me. I would look forward to that. I love San Diego; if I could move there, I would in a heartbeat.

Saturday morning I had the family packed and in the car by 7:45. Mo was very reluctant to come on this trip but did it for me anyway. We needed to touch the ocean so that was his reward for helping me on this journey. We stopped for our usual road trip Starbucks, free thanks to VBS gift card and headed south on the I 15. Our journey was stopped short just outside of Jean, NV because Raine Roo had consumed too much strawberries and cantaloupe. She told me she had something stuck in her throat and then threw up. YAY, what a way to start our trip. It was an easy clean up and we were back on the road. We stopped in Baker so Reece could pee and then headed to In-N-Out for lunch. It sure was a slow moving trip. We ran into the Baldwin at In-N-Out. I was very excited to see them, as were my children, they love Riley and Violet.

Back on the road by 12:30 and on our way to SD to check into the Expo and pick up my race bib and t-shirt. We stopped for gas one more time and then drove along Harbor Blvd three or four times in search of the Sheridan Hotel. No, I didn't map quest the directions, just though I would recognize it. Finally got my race number 5046 and headed to the Hampton Inn to rest for the night. We order some take out from Olive Garden and watched Pinocchio while we ate. I think it was the first time Reece and Raine saw it. They were very excited viewing a new movie. I bathed the kids and got them settled for the night. I got all my gear ready for my 4 am wake up call, took a nice long shower, iced my knees and was asleep by 9pm. Mo was so sweet he slept close to the kids so he could help them if one were to fall off the bed or need us. I slept like a rock until my mind was worried I wouldn't wake for the alarm. I must have checked the clock at 1 am and 3 am. Then Mo had to wake me when the alarm did go off.

I wasn't very awake but I felt nervous. I made a pot of coffee and got dressed. Mo and I planned to wake the kids and put them in the car at 4:45 so he could have me at Balboa park by 5:15. I had to catch a bus that would take the 8,000 runners to Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. The starting line was 7 miles from my hotel but I had to back track and ride a bus to the beginning of the course. Weird I know. I made a friend while standing in line for one of the 10 charter buses. Her name was Shawna and this was her first half marathon too. We were both solo runners scared to death. Wish I could say we ran the whole thing together but I lost her after about 10 minutes of running. I still wonder when she finished.

Once the bus made it to Cabrillo National Monument we headed to the line for the port a potties. There were more bathrooms than I have ever seen at a football game or concert combined. It was crazy. We then found our way toward the middle of the pack and waited for the race to begin. I was glad to have someone to share my joy of people watching with. There were some very interesting characters there. Some dude wore his sailor hat and shiny red shorts. His friend had on cute off jeans and a cut off flannel shirt. I told Shawna they were part of the YMCA crew but lost their buddies. Then some freak was wearing baby blue feety jammies with a baby flying out of his stomach. It was bizarre. Shawna pointed out some girls who were writing all kind of stuff on their arms and legs. I told her looking around at some of the people here makes me feel like I really can run this in 2:30 and not be the last one getting picked up by the van telling you the race is over. She laughed and said me too!

Time was ticking and I was growing anxious and bored, let's get going already. Then they sang the National Anthem and we started walking toward the starting line. Then the crowd started running. I looked at Shawna and said I guess were starting-Good Luck! I barley had my Ipod ready to start the timer and get Dave's mix of music ready. I have been running to an awesome Dave Matthew's mix during my long runs. I crossed the starting line and headed down hill. It was so crowed and fast. I couldn't believe I was running a half marathon. I looked down at my timer and 5 mins had already passed. I am used to running 1 min 30 secs then walking 30 seconds. I was so excited about the whole thing I kept running. I was trying to make my way to the right side of the road so I could look out at the ocean. It was hard crossing in front of people, but I did it. Then I was afraid if I was looking to my right I would run into someone, or slow someone else down. It was crazy. I kept running 5 more minutes and felt great. The next time I looked down at my timer is said 32:00:22 I was pleasantly pleased and prayed I could keep this up.

It was encouraging having people on the side of the roads clapping and yelling for runners in general. People would sit on their decks drinking their coffee and yell. Families with kiddos in their pjs would sit at the end of their driveways and ring cowbells for us. I would see people in front of me and use them as my goals to pass. I would also look ahead at some people and try to keep up with them. I loved seeing the mile marker signs and timers on the side of the road. I would see those and think only this much more. I would also be so proud of my time. Adrenaline really helped me run this race. Running is such a mental thing. I knew I could run 13 miles, I did it a couple times before, but I am competitive. I wanted to beat my time; really, I just wanted to finish with knees that would still be able to walk on the beach after. We were finishing up on the side streets of Point Loma when my stomach churned from the most disgusting seafood smell. I knew we had to be near some restaurants because it smelled just like my kitchen when Mo is making crabs and other stinky seafood. I quickly ran passed that stench; luckily it didn't linger and was over fast! Then we came down another hill and I saw the San Diego skyline. It was so pretty with the clouds parting and sun starting to break through.

When I passed the 10k sign I knew I was half way and I could do this. I ate the rest of my cheery caffeine filled Jelly Belly Jelly Beans (which were so so so yummy) and started to push a little harder. We were just rounding Harbor Island Dr and it was so scenic and pretty. The crowd had thinned out some and I could really enjoy running along the ocean. People were already out on their sailboats and playing in the water. I kept hoping Mo would be on the sideline somewhere and surprise me. We had planned for him to meet me at the finish line. It was kinda of fun to running to see the kids and my man.

We passed the 15K mark and were just starting to enter the city streets. I knew that the end was near, but even more importantly that the 6th Ave hill was coming. Who designs a race with a mile long hill at the end? I tried to push it through the first gradual hill on Broadway but was stopped by the trolley. Nothing like that crushing your momentum. Oh well. There was a water station coming up and that's where they were serving mini cheeseburgers from Margaritaville. Weird, who would eat a mini cheeseburger in the middle of a run? It smelled so good though.

The end was near and I could feel the adrenaline kick in. I was so done with this race, where was that finish line? Then I saw the signs for Balboa park, I can do this I thought. I pushed it and ran a bit faster. I was climbing that stupid hill on Sixth Ave and then I saw the tunnel, Yes the park! I caught a glimpse of the finish line and ran my heart out. I saw Mo and my babies on the side cheering me on. I sprinted down the last 500 yards and crossed the blue line. I did it, I ran my first half marathon. What an accomplishment!