On the Miles in Between 13.1

I crossed the starting line and pushed play and the very first song to play (on shuffle mind you) was Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave.  I seriously had to fight tearing up when I heard it because I really just felt it was a sure sign I was going to have a good race.  I felt so great and stuck to my 10:30 pace and the playlist continued to deliver my favorites.  As long as the beat works for me I can listen to just about anything but I pulled some old faves up for the race and it definitely helped me pull through.  

 

Shake it Off

Hey Bartender

Dark Horse 

No Sleep Til Brooklyn

Church 

Stronger (Christina Aguilara)

La Grange (ZZ Top…really great beat)

American Girl (Tom Petty)

Eye of the Tiger…needs no explanation

Blank Space

Something in the Water

Tainted Love (yep I’m serious)

Boy’s Round Here (reminds me of Carly Jo…don’t ask)

I Want Crazy (reminds me of Keith)

Waiting on Superman (reminds me of Jordan)

Radio (reminds me of Dill)

Radioactive (reminds me of Riley)

She’s Like Texas…well this reminds me of ME 

 

I have this weird fetish with my ear bud cords and I hold them probably the entire run and rub them a little like a kid with a security blanket.  I really don’t even realize most of the time I’m doing it but when I looked at these pictures I can see I most certainly was.  

 

I was almost to the 11 mile mark when I heard a police horn and realized a motorcycle cop was passing to my left and he continued to blow the siren and motion for runners to move to the right.  I was clueless.  Little did I know I was about to be “lapped” by the runner who was set to win the marathon.  Seriously y’all I would not have been running as fast as this guy on my best day all out sprinting.  It was amazing!  I watched him continue and round the corner and was just in awe.  There are people out there who are truly blessed with the gift to run.  I definitely can run and am very thankful for that but it is definitely not my gift.  

 

One of the special things about the BCS Marathon is the story behind it and the mission the race director, Chris Field, is accomplishing in Ghana.  Mercy Project works to end child slavery and rescue these sweet children and the Field family actually even adopted one of the children who did not have a family to return to.  Amazing story.  Anyway….on this course when you make the final turn to the finish line, just shy of the 13 mile marker, this is what you see.  The faces of these precious children who have been rescued.  It is really hard not to become emotional.  How lucky we all are to live in a country where running is a sport for us and our children and we are free.  This is probably my very favorite part of the race. 

 

I finished the race 02:27:50 and felt great the entire run.  My pace dropped off the last 3 miles but I was happy and my mind was clear and my body cooperated which was so much better than my first two.  Still not where I would have liked to finish but it was improvement over my first at 2:41 and my second at 2:36.  At my age I will take baby steps!   

I enjoyed my cold beverage and cheered on other runners and then headed to lunch with the family.  Even though my stomach was not super happy with me I knew exactly what I wanted.  It has probably been 5 years since I’ve had Ninfas fajitas a la barry and it was calling my name!  Holy yum! I even ate two tortillas.  It was amazing.  

And I washed it down with a margarita!

And then I crashed for about 3 1/2 hours and it was a great nap.  If you know me at all the one thing you know is I am not a napper.  I have to be really, really exhausted to actually fall asleep in the middle of the day.  

 

I honestly cannot even believe that after all my complaining over the past 3 weeks that another 1/2 would even be on my mind but I honestly am thinking I will have to eat my words.  I really believe I can do better and I know I won’t be able to stop until I feel I have done my best.  

 

Thanks for reading!  I promise…last post!