Run Principessa

I’m never very good at race recaps. My half marathon came and went without any big mention of it on the blog. Was it because I hated my knee SO MUCH in the following weeks? Maybe. That’s a very big possibility. But a recap, I think would be nice to have. To look back on and whatnot. I did exactly that from my first run down Broad Street last year.

So yes, I’ll be doing a race recap. But not today. Today I want to focus on some things that were very different from last year.

We finished again, that’s for sure!

1. My attitude.

Let me paint a picture. Last year I was freaking out and couldn’t fall asleep because Paul was watching SNL and DOESN’T HE KNOW you’re supposed to get a good night sleep beforehand and OH MY GOD we have GOT to be on the subway by 6:30am no later HOLY @$#* I AM FREAKING OUT. I AM IN A CORRAL AND CAN I DO THIS?! I CAN’T DO THIS.

Not at ALL the case this year. I worked on Saturday night, hung out a little, and just made my way up to bed to read until whenever sleep took me. And then I got ready in the morning and strolled over to the subway, not jumping on the first train that came but instead looking for one that wouldn’t look QUITE so uncomfortable to fit in. And then I laughed a lot at the start and we were off!

2. My family.

Last year, I knew I had my family to look forward to (twice!) throughout the race. This year I was told my dog had a seizure the night before so they wouldn’t be able to make it. After the race, I found out it was actually that my dad went to the hospital that morning (he’s okay!). I’m sad they didn’t get to see me, but so happy that he’s okay. And much as I was upset they didn’t tell me before the race, I’m glad they thought of me enough to hold off.

3. My day.

Last year, I slept all day. This year, I went into work right after I was finished running. Whether this stressed me out less about the race, I’m not sure. But it was nice to have to keep moving my legs at least a little bit. And helping people buy running shoes is a lot more enthusiastic after you’ve just raced.

4. My running buddy.

I still ran with Paul and I would say we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Except for around mile 8 when I had to tie my shoe and he was struggling. Naturally he blamed my shoelace for making the race suck.

Last year, I feel like we played it safe. We were running buddies enjoying the ride. This year, it was a bit different. We both pushed each other when we needed it and didn’t take it easy on each other at all. And that’s the way racing partners should be. EVOLUTION.

5. My PR.

Now, I know a bunch of you are all speedy little sons of guns that would laugh at my time and think I was racing a turtle. But I’m proud, dangit. There was about .1 mile of weaving on my Garmin, but I’m too lazy to figure out how to take that into account. I went sub-9 minute miles for all but one mile, I believe. And that’s good for me. GOOD IN GENERAL, SO THERE.

Last year–> 1:46:00

This year –> 1:28:56

That’s an 18 minute PR. Yes, it was from my first race to not my first. But I haven’t had a successful long race in between. So dang. Be impressed.

Ta-da!

Did you run any races this weekend? Tell me how they went!

How do you like my outfit? I was only missing yellow to be a complete rainbow.

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