Today was an AMAZING day!!!!! I ran the Tallahassee Half Marathon!! The weather was PERFECT..... yes, a bit chilly and slightly windy, but overall a GREAT day for running!!!!! I was feeling good! I didn't pay attention to my Garmin for the first few miles, and I just ran at a pace that I thought felt good where my breathing was not "huffing and puffing." When I did eventually look at my watch, I was surprised by my pace... This is when I may a critically decision!!!! Yes, I decided to give it what I had! Not to struggle or push too hard or get to where my breathing would be labored, but to stay at the pace I was going.... at mile 7, I knew I would PR and there was a chance to reach my goal of a sub 2 half marathon time!
As you know, with this half marathon being a month out from my first ever full marathon in March, the plan was to run comfortably and stay between 9:30-9:45 pace. Well, with great weather and feeling great, I made the decision to "seize the day." Seriously, tomorrow is never promised, there is no guarantee that something won't come up that would prevent me from running the full marathon in March, and if I fatigued myself where my training would be messed up, I just told myself there would be other chances to try a full marathon ...... Today, my mind was only on half marathon at hand! Yes, I choose to live in the moment today! I felt great and there was no pushing to point of labored breathing! Truly, it was like all the stars aligned, and I was having the best run!!
Awesome T-shirt this year!!!! Last year, the t-shirt was a tan/brown color that only washed out my pale skin color. This year, the t-shirt committee was on point and I LOVE the shirt!!!!!!
Below, we found the finish line which was close to the Expo area!!! At that moment, I was like..... oh no, are we going to finish up hill?!?! LOL! :D
My friend Arlene and I couldn't resist taking a picture on the finish line.... the line that we couldn't wait to cross the very next day!!! We literally dodged traffic to take this picture!!!! LOL!!!!
Below are pictures from he Expo and the listed sponsors! Of course, I tried to simulate a running pose..... well, kinda got it right... HA! HA!
Talk about a hilly course..... literally it was hill after hill after hill..... below area a couple pics of an example of the hills.... and these were not as steep as some! In fact, mile 10 had a monstrous hill! Literally, it was like straight up!!!! But, I will give a recount of the race tomorrow....
Top picture is going up and the bottom picture of a down hill...... Holy Hills for sure!!!!
Ok, break down of run: 13.1 miles at an average of 8:56:
Mile 1- 8:59
Mile 2- 9:05
Mile 3- 8:45
Mile 4- 8:56
Mile 5- 8:59
Mile 6- 8:47
Mile 7- 8:28
Mile 8- 9:00
Mile 9- 8:46
Mile 10- 9:06
Mile 11- 9:38
Mile 12- 8:18
Mile 13- 9:10
There is NO WAY today could have been any better....... I truly am pleased with my performance today! I am on cloud 9..... even if my full doesn't go as planned in March, today's sub 2 half marathon has made my entire year!!!!!!
Well, gotta get dinner going.... back to reality, and to get ready for week at hand! Tomorrow, I will try to recount the actual day of the half marathon, and I have more pictures to share!!!! Again, THANK YOU all that follow my blog, follow on social media (Facebook, twitter, Instagram), and who email subscribe....... those of you that sent emails, text messages, or sent posts on Facebook...... your support, words of encouragement, and tips that you shared truly have helped me motivate to improve as a runner! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
UNTIL LATER!
******************************************
**Ever had a race day where the stars just seemed to aligned and just couldn't be any better?!? Please share!
**Like holy courses, or stay as far away as you can possibly do so?!?!
**Did you run Tally with me? IF so, share your experience....