consistent

Yesterday I completed the Get In Gear half marathon...in cold rain, up and down hills, with a pulled hamstring and a bruised ankle (thanks to Drew's mighty slap shot the day before)...in a time of 2 hours 4 minutes and 31 seconds. "Not too shabby", as my running partner said. But it was still 7 seconds slower than my finish time in Vegas this past December. I was so hoping to break that 2 hour mark!! Does this really mean I have to run ANOTHER one?!

Despite the cold, rain, hills, and aches...in many ways this race was much better than the one I ran four months ago. For one, I have been able to train with and race with a wonderful friend and neighbor. Having someone to run with on those long training runs and then each step of the 13.1 mile race makes a world of difference. No matter how silly we might look running next to each other (Hollie is 5'11'' and I am 5').

I also had the absolute best fans! Damon and Drew braved the weather to cheer me on...and I do not exaggerate - during the morning before the race there was thunder; there was lightening; and there was hail. They patiently waited at the 7mile/11mile mark for Hollie and I to show up and the high fives and hugs I got most certainly helped me keep the oh so consistent pace of 9:30. And, in all that time waiting for us to come by, Drew cheered on and inspired plenty of other (faster) runners. Drew says he gave "90 high fives and thumbs up". I would not doubt it!

And, believe it or not, but the Big Guy Upstairs certainly helped Damon, Drew and I know that Leo was just as much with us that day. On the race route was St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church...who knew that there was a Korean Catholic Church in the Twin Cities? Not me until I hit about mile 8 of the race (good thing I didn't just sign up for the 10K - which is what I was wishing I had done right about at that mile 8 marker - or I still would not know it exists). I have a feeling we will be checking out the inside of that church in the future.

But that wasn't the only church reminding us of Leo. As Damon and Drew waited and waited for us...a bathroom was needed. They struck out twice. But, the two most convenient places they tried:

Church of St. Leo

and

Temple of Aaron

And finally, a little insight into my thoughts and cravings while I run. When I trained for the Vegas half marathon, most training days all I could think about was drinking a nice cold mojito. So, I told myself that when I finished the race...I would celebrate by having one in Vegas. It took until literary the very last moment of the trip for me to get my crappy $14 mojito from the casino bar. But, I got it.

So, this time around training, most training runs had me craving a nice cold Vernors. Vernors is a "Deliciously Different" ginger ale soda from Michigan - my home state. Extremely easy to find and enjoy back in Detroit...not so easy here in the Twin Cities. But guess what...we tried a new awesome & delicious little cafe in South Mpls after the race and you will never guess what was on the menu:

CHEERS!!!