MCM - The Race.

Continuing from yesterday...

Race day came and we got up early.  We picked a hotel that was close to the finish line, but was about a little further from the start.  We decided to walk to the start because we knew the subway would be crazy.  My Dad and Margaret bought little flashlights and they were perfect for walking in the dark.

By the time we got there, the sun was coming up and the nerves were sinking in.  We ended up having to walk pretty far to get to the bag drop.  When we got there we met up with Ashley and walked back to the start.  We tried to find another friend, Abi, but could not!  We were all unsure about what to wear because of the weather (Did I mention there was a hurricane??) but I think I figured it out correctly.  As people were starting to go over the start line, I wanted to make one last trip to the port-a-potty.  So, Jen stayed with me and Kathy and Ashley started.  We didn't see them for the rest of the race!

I had some other really cute pictures of all of us that are too fuzzy to put on here for some reason...

After we crossed the starting line, there was no turning back.  The first part of the race was pretty hilly and we knew that coming into it.  However, it wore me out!  Our 5k (3.1 miles) time was slow, but there were also a ton of people.  We saw David with Kathy's Dad and Sister around mile 2, but did not see them again.

The first 10 miles went pretty quickly.  Jen and I ended up taking a pit stop in the woods...I am pretty sure that everyone saw me.  I think we got to Georgetown somewhere in the teens and that was fun.  By that time the hills were "supposed" to be over and it was a neat scenery.  We ran by Georgetown Cupcakes which I loved.  At this point, I realized by goal of coming in just under 5 hours would be tough.  I was started to lose the drive for finishing quickly.

After Georgetown, we started running back up by the monuments.  We saw Jen's brother and her boyfriend a couple of times which helped.  Life was not easy at this point, I just wanted it to be over!  I knew we would finish, but I just felt like walking!  Thank goodness I had Jen to keep me going.  I remember hurting pretty badly around this area.  There was man that had bio-freeze (crack for runners...numbs your pain!) and I was soo happy to see him.  It gave me a bit of a boost.  There was also a point where we were running downhill and a band was playing "Lean on Me"  That was a highlight!

Miles 20 - 26 were TOUGH.  I didn't even feel like talking.  Jen signaled to me with her fingers the minutes left for our walk/run.  The last .2 was uphill at the monument Iwo Jima.  Jen wanted to run and I just couldn't!!  We did end up crossing the finish line together, and I couldn't have been happier!!

 I made this picture XL because I am proud of me!