Last weekend I headed down to Eugene to do the Eugene Half-marathon. This was a little bit of a redemption for me. Two years ago I did the full marathon there and did not have fun at all. By the 5th mile in that race I knew that it was going to be a long, long, long day. As we rounded the corner to head to the finish line, both my training partner and I were, literally, seeing stars. After we crossed the finish line, my sweet hubby remarked, in all innocence, "You didn't look too amused out there." No Honey, it had not been a good day...
Thankfully, last weekend erased all that with a fantastic race that proved why I do long distance. As I was running the streets, I gathered some thoughts to share with you.
1. I still to this day, even though I have done many races, do not enjoy waiting at the start line when it is early and chilly. Brrr! I think my knees were even shivering that morning!
2. I love the minute the race starts and you run past all the cheering spectators, run over the timing mat, and head off on your adventure.
3. The best sign that a spectator was holding that day, "I am so proud of you complete stranger!"
4. Strangest thing I saw? A man wearing a red, curly wig and a crop top (yes, crop top), playing a loud cowbell. I think I counted seeing him 3 times. Lucky me...
5. Word to the runner in front of me, if you are going to do the "farmer's blow" to clear your nose, watch out for your fellow runners (a.k.a me) coming up on your side to pass you. Never knew I could jump out of the way so quickly after mile 9! (Wondering what the "farmer's blow" is? Plug one nostril, lean over, and blow hard out the other. Classy, huh? But gets the job done, I guess.)
6. I love, love, love the last 3 miles of a race when all the stars align and the pace is great.
7. Most fantastic moment? Running onto Hayward Field, down a chute of spectators screaming madly for you, and seeing the finish line just around the bend.
8. I still enjoy crossing the line and having a medal placed around my neck. Yeah, I like collecting those medals...
9. Best reward? A trip to Sweet Life Patisserie for a coffee and cinnamon roll. Would do that race every weekend to get that reward.
Now that the medal is hung with the rest of them, I am starting to think of training for a full marathon. The great debate about that one is should it be an August race or October race. Utah or Michigan? Hmmm....
