The half went awesome!!!

We got to California the night before and did the hotel check-in thing before going to pick up race packets. Alameda is a cute town as was the bit of Oakland we went to for packet pick-up. I love the San Francisco area transit system!! We then ate dinner (after not eating all day really...file that under what not to do) and had drinks.

The next day was race day. We woke up and decided that we could walk the 2.5 miles to the race start. Our walk was right along the water so it was really pretty. I ate a pancake sandwich (another what not to do thing?) and had some Cytomax. I really felt pretty good, all-in-all.

At the start, we got chipped and basically meandered around. SO many people looked to be "runners". I was figuring for a womens only event, there would be a lot of people who were not 100% in shape. There was a fun "warm-up" event complete with 80's music and aerobics instructors in leg warmers and headbands.

At the start, I went to the 11 minute mile starting spot because I am not fast. There were about 1,000 runners and we started out kind of slow as we got out into the street.

The course was beautiful. It was along the water in Alameda, it crossed a bridge into Oakland and circled around a golf course then back along the water. There was a good breeze, some occasional drizzle, and the temperature was really comfy. The rest stops were every 1-2 miles so I tried to drink water at each one. I did slow down and briefly walk while I drank because I don't have that running and drinking artform down yet.

Honestly, I felt good. By mile 9, my friend was getting tired and got tired of hearing my need to be chatty. I think that's what happened...she put on her headphones and I started talking to the animals. The people who were out walking were SO supportive, they were clapping and being encouraging.

Also at mile 9, I realized we were almost there. Some of the runners that had been ahead of me were slowing. There was a slight incline and many runners started walking. I was feeling better and better so I decided to gradually speed up. I started passing people and it was a very strange feeling! It was fun though, I'd tell myself I wouldn't look at the time until I passed 20 more people. It was almost a game. I also realized I would finish faster than I thought I would. In training, I was running 2 hr 47 min 13 mile runs. My fastest average EVER (for distance) was 11 min. 16 second mile.

By mile 12, I realized that perhaps I was pushing too soon but I decided to stay with it and see how I did. I was starting to feel a bit ragged but I liked my pace and it felt good despite the fact I felt like I was going to barf. At this point people kept saying "you're almost there!" though even 1/4 mile was seeming to be too far away.

Finally, I saw the finish. I focused and willed myself to pick up the pace just a bit more. I passed a few more people too.

My finish time was 2 hrs 22 minutes. My average was 10:56/mile! I wish I would have sped up earlier but it's all about learning limitations and that might've tired me out more.

We then milled around at the expo (my friend was 4 minutes behind me), drank champagne, and walked back to the hotel. We all had tickets (DH came along) to Alcatraz so we went to San Francisco. It made it a long day with about 18 miles worth of race related running or walking to/from the race. I have to admit we were whining on the Alcatraz hills By that point it was 5pm and we had been on our feet all day.

Anyway, it was a fantastic experience. I am not sore either, oddly enough. I feel it but it isn't bad. I would go out and run today but I think I shouldn't. One of the really fun things was the race was called "See Jane Run". My name is Jane! The announcers tended to call everyone Jane and for me, it worked.

I looked at final results and placed 50.4% overall. That made me sad...I worked SO hard for this and I'd like to think I was better than average. I guess there's always next time