Mike Schweitzer Challenge

I spent the night at my parents' house the night before the Mike Schweitzer Memorial Challenge half marathon, and I didn't sleep well. I was still sore from the kick-butt yoga class I attended on Wednesday and I couldn't get my mind to rest. The next day my dad and I got up at 5:30AM to make the three-hour drive to Etna. We got there early. I didn't eat enough before the race, two pieces of toast at 6AM and a banana at 8AM. The race started at 9AM. There were only about 25 runners in the half marathon. There was a group of women who said they would probably run a 7:50 pace and since I hoped to run between a 7:30 and 8:00 pace I thought I might be able to run with them. I chose not to wear my ipod. I was by myself by mile 2 and wishing I had my ipod. The miles weren't marked except for mile 3, which I didn't see, and mile 10, so I had only a vague idea of my pace. There were more hills than I expected and I felt tired. I tried to appreciate the beautiful course and nice weather. I finished in 1:46, not my slowest half and not my fastest. I was beat by a woman I knew in my childhood. I remember thinking she was cool and I wanted to be like her. That's still the case. She's 10 years older than I and was 10 minutes faster! I'm inspired.

After the race, Dad and I went out to lunch and we shared a piece of pie. Then on the way home we ate an entire package of chocolate chip cookies. My mom was quick to spot the irony of this behavior and my last blog entry. So much for being a good example.