I did it!!! I did it!!!! It was a beautiful day! Let me tell you all about it!

Night Before

I was so glad Olivia and I ran the 10K last week. It had me really prepared for preparing for a race. I had everything out and organized. I knew what I was going to do if it was 30 (pink-thicker and full length pants) and I knew what I was going to do if it was 40 (blue- thinner and capri pants). I didn’t eat anything crazy and I only drank water all day long.

We also had to deal with the time change. I was soooo worried our clocks and phone would mess up!! We ended up setting one clock, both phones and I also put in a text to Mom asking for a wake up text. I knew they would be on the road by the time I had to wake up. Laurie also came to town on Saturday to help with the girls on Sunday

Morning Of

It was chilly — but not crazy cold. I opted for blue! I did take a fleece pullover with me as well. Mom was confused by the time and went ahead and called me at 5:10 am (I think i asked for 5:45 — but 5:10 worked I told her, “Thanks, but I’m gonna sleep for 20 more minutes. Drive safe!” hehe. Jamey and I left the house without any issues. Preparation the evening before is key in my opinion. I had EVERYTHING out and ready — including everything I would need for breakfast before we left the house. We left the house at 6 am. I couldn’t believe how dark it still was?? The sun finally started waking up as we were nearing the river.

Jamey thought that Thriller would be some good motivational music. LOL

At this point my crew was getting ready as well! Laurie was still tucked in tight waiting for the girls to wake up; Jenn was heading to the race with her mom; Brooke was waiting for Mom and Dad to arrive at her house; Olivia was getting a morning run in before heading to STL with her family.

We arrived at the race around 6:35 am.

We met up with Jenn and Jane in the warm gym!

Brooke and Mom and Dad showed up shortly.

It was time to line up! This wasn’t a HUGE race so there weren’t any corrals. They pretty much said — if you are fast, get in the front — if not, stay out of the way. So I went ahead and took my spot near the back of the pack

Jane and I right before we started running. Jenn and Brooke convinced me to wear my jacket and gloves. I knew I would see them in a mile or two and I could take stuff off if I got too hot.

Jenn was ready to go! She is usually running these races – but today she was the best photog and cheerleader anyone could ask for! Also, a BIG thanks to Jamey – he is the one taking all of the pics you are looking at right now!

And We’re Off!

It was a pretty uneventful start. The pack moved slowly out of the starting gate. I started my watch at the Start Gate. And then I ran. For a long long time Jenn and Brooke had decided the day before that they would hop in Jenn’s car and try to stay a couple miles ahead of me. Then they’d throw the car in park and sprint to the street. Cheer really loud, take a couple pics, check on me and then sprint back to the car and do it all over again. I have done this for a few friends when they had big races. Jenn and Brooke are two of those people. I’ve never done a race like this – so I was super excited to have a team cheering and helping me! This morning, Jenn asked Jamey if he wanted to ride with them. Hehehe, I’m not sure he knew what he was getting in to. But I think he said something like, “Those two run EVERYWHERE!” Good job keeping up honey! You were awesome! I’ll bet his legs are a bit sore tomorrow too! Here I come! This course was hilly. And I don’t mean little hills – I mean LOOOOOONG hills. It was rough!

I knew there was a big long hill at the end. And by long – I mean miles long. A nice long incline right when your legs are the most tired. Perfect! I thought I could handle it a couple different ways. I could try to run slow and conservative and save myself for this hill at the end — or I could run the best I could at the beginning and hope I would make up enough time that I could walk more at the end if I needed too. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do even after I started running. Mile 1, Mile 2, Mile 3 – Holy Cow! I was doing 12 min miles!!! This is great news! My pace is going to rock!!! I can’t remember how many times I saw my crew – but I know they were right there every single time I needed a pick me up!

They were also able to see Jane a couple times. She is much faster than I am – so they had to plan really well to catch both of us! She was so strong! A totally Rockstar on the course!

I carry Gu Brew with me. You can think of it like Gatorade. I can only carry about 6 miles worth with me at a time. Brooke was ready with a newly filled bottle for me every time I passed them! She also assisted in a rock removal and providing water to choke down a GU packet. I’m not trying to set any records here — if I’m taking a drink or eating – I most likely stop. No need to get wet or dirty when it is chilly out

Here is Speedy again!! She looked just great the entire race!

Those miles at the beginning were now seeming like a distant memory. The hills in Forest Park were kicking my rear! The reason you see people running the opposite direction is because they had already reached the turnaround. I tried to cheer for them while I ran. I thought it would take my mind off of the never ending hills.

I’ve told a few friends that I often try to do math while I run. For some reason, I can’t do it. I can’t add, subtract or multiply. And you can just forget division. The problem with that is, I’m trying to figure out if I’m going fast enough, can I rest a bit, do I need to push harder. I started trying to figure some of this out around mile 4. I have no clue what mile this is. I know it was Forest Park. And I know I was hurting. I was walking up the steeper hills and my legs were getting tight. If you keep running it takes a little longer for the tightness to set in. Once you start walking, you really have to fight to get the blood moving and your legs working again. It was like a gift from the Heavens when I would hear that cow bell! I knew they were close. I knew I’d have someone to talk to. To refill me – hope, belief, energy and drink! Jenn popped out on the course to chat with me. Checking my morale and my body. Both were feeling pretty beat up but I kept trying to smile.

Here’s Brooke with a stellar hand-off! Seamless perfection!

Jenn told me to look up because Olivia was here! Woo Hoo!!! She made it!!! They both ran with me around the corner for a minute.

Jenn broke off to pack up her car and move to the next location. Olivia ran with me back to her family a little down the road. Check that out! Running and snapping a bottle back in place. Seriously! This takes practice

Always smiling. Always encouraging. This woman is the one that inspired me. I’ve watched her do many races. But seeing her do her first IronMan was really life changing. I had never before seen someone so determined, so focused. She pushed herself so hard and inspired me in the process! I know some of that big smile on her face today was because she knew she had a big hand in what I was doing. Go ahead Jenn! Be proud!!! I love you! And, see that cowbell… It was loud! At one point Jamey yells, “Hey honey! I downloaded a cowbell app!” Yes, Yes, Of course he did. That’s my geek!!! He also downloaded air horns. Needless to say, I knew when I was coming up on them.

Check that out! Water in one hand Gu in the other! I have no clue how people do these longer races without a support team. I am blessed! And even though Jenn started the fire in me – Brooke fanned it when she asked me to do Lewis & Clark with her. Unfortunately I was hurt for that race. I did go cheer for her – boot and all!  I was so happy she was out here on MY race day! Thank you Brooke! And how about these pictures! What an awesome job honey!

Still running…

Brooke and Jamey headed back to the finish line. I was walking up a huge hill when I see Jenn coming back for me. Now it is really cool that she is coming to run me in – but this isn’t the first time she’s done this. She was also there at my very first triathlon. Bouncy and smiley! Reminding me how awesome I am. Thank you friend! Oh Look!! Rocket Jane is done! She was just super!!!

I really was feeling pretty beat up. At 11.5 I remember telling Jenn, “I’m not even to 12 yet. I don’t know how this is going to go.” And just like that – we saw 13! I noticed a lady with a medal around her neck and asked how far away I was. She told me it was all downhill at that 13 sign and I need to sprint.

And sprint I did!!! Everyone was at the end. I heard cheering. I heard yelling. They even said my name as I crossed the line. I started clapping because I was so excited! Run. Breathe. Smile. Run. Breathe. Smile.

My chip time for this race was 2:51:48 – 13:07 miles. My best long run min/mile pace previously was 14:10. I wasn’t fast by any means – but I totally rocked my goal of 3 hours and blew away my previous pace by over an entire minute per mile!

Pretty overwhelmed with emotion. Most of you know I have been consumed with this race since July. It is really weird now that is is over. It was really weird the minute I crossed the finish line. I suppose I just need to do it again – better

It is good to be loved!

Jane was standing at the corner before the finish. I could hear her yelling my name! Awesome feeling!!! Awesome!

Me and Jane – and the crew! Thank you so much everyone!!!

So the day before at the expo – Jenn asked me if I was going to get a sticker for my car. Now, of course I wanted a sticker. But I didn’t want to push my luck buying one before I had actually completed the race. So Jenn says, “Well, if I was going to buy one for me – which one should I get.” So I told her, “If you were going to buy one for yourself, you should get an IronMan and not this little 13.1.” Haha! It seems she and Brooke thought I would really like the pink one. They were correct! Jenn bought it and gave it to me when I finished today. Along with a box of cream horns. LONG story

MMMmmmm! Celebratory cream horn!

A great big round of applause to Jane! She finished 3rd in her age group!!!! Great work Jane! Excellent race! 2:21:19 Woo Hoo!!!!!

After the race we headed to Maggiano’s. Super yummy food! I was yucky. I smelled bad. And I wore my medal through the entire meal. I may have also wore it to Crate and Barrel

And I know this is the picture you have all been waiting for… It was delicious!!!

My new sticker!