The big Race day!

This is the start of the race. I had just gone over the big mat, that activated the chip on my shoe to keep track of my progress during the race. I am in ORANGE, but not for long!!
This is at the 6 mile mark. Sister and the gang saw me here and I stopped for a quick drink, and chat.



Then I had to get back at it, because I was not even half way done. I also gave sister and them my long sleeve shirt, I warmed up rather quickly considering the 40 degree temps.

Here is the 12 mile mark. I was still smiling even though the last 4 miles were all up hill.......CRAZY. I waved, but kept going. At that point if I stopped, my body would have given out. I was starting to hurt in places that I would have never fathomed. How on earth was I to know that the tops of my feet would be so sore?

Here I am coming into the last 1/2 mile. Still running, although I do not know how. I am guessing adrenaline. The crowd was yelling and cheering, the music was loud, and I had a cheering section of 8 right in the corner. How could you not run after that?

I saw Traci first thing after I crossed and picked up my loot. Check out that medal! I am so excited about that especially. I was starting to feel the race as soon as I stopped. You can so see it in my face, I was starting to get stiff. (did not stretch like I should have after the fact)



Chase finally found me in this one. I was so glad to be done, and I was ready to go home.
Another picture, where I am clearly in pain! Haha But so happy to see Jonathan Anderson! He came to the race to cheer us on, such a good friend. We had not seen him in 10 years.




Cason came to the race to cheer too. This is a great picture of us. I was glad to see him, but he did not talk much. Sister said that he was overwhelmed by the huge volume of people that were there. Did I tell you that there were 13,000 that ran the race? Um, yeah massive amounts of people were cheering on friends and family too.



A better picture with Chase.
Me and sista.
Traci and I in the parking lot, right before we went back to the hotel. So proud and happy with our awesome medals! I was just actually happy to still be standing, and moving. I am glad to say that for my first 1/2 marathon, this was a wonderful experience. Will I run Austin again? Probably not, those hills were killers. But for my first time 3:13 was not bad. I am happy with my time, but the next one will be under 3 hours.