Notes
Note to self--- NEVER eat a foot long chili-cheese dog and a load of fresh cut french fries as pre-race fuel the night before a half-marathon! While I managed to beat my record, and was very happy with the results, I could have done MUCH better if I wasn't struggling the last 4-5 miles, trying to keep my gut from exploding all over the course! I honestly didn't even think I was going to FINISH the race-- I had a few emergency moments where I thought about stopping at the nearest building or house, and begging to use the bathroom. Fortunately, through the grace of God, somehow I managed to push through and finish the race. To this day, I still don't know how... and I definitely don't know how I salvaged pulling off a PR! But I'm glad I did!
It was a fantastic event, all in all. Other than those last few miles, I felt exceptionally good for a majority of the run.
I got to the race exceptionally early, and managed to find a group of people warming up inside of a building near the starting line. I entered to warm up with them, and was quite pleased with the accommodations! It was warm, the bathrooms were fully stocked and large instead of porta-potties-- it was a runners dream on a cold dreary morning like that one was! I late found out why. Come to find out, this was actually the warming building for elite racers and the runners that were performing in the USATF Half-Marathon championship run!! Apparently, since I got there so early, there was no security at the entrance! Now I know... THIS is how the OTHER half races! :-P