This marked my 3rd consecutive year running the Lincoln Half, and 4th Half overall. I was thirsty for a PR for this race. My first Lincoln I did in 2:42:57, Last year I did it in 2:33 and change, and I was so close to a sub-2:30 I could TASTE it. So I set about to get it.
We were worried about the weather all week, and we got a pretty perfect race day; temps in the upper 40’s cloudy and cool. No humidity at all. Perfect running weather. After meeting Holli, Bailee, and Lindsay before the race, we lined up and finally we were off!
Did I mention that my older brother and sister-in-law ran the half too? It was their first half. Last year my sis-in-law was pregnant and said that she wanted to run it this year. So she talked my brother into doing it with her. So proud of my family!
I kept up a decent pace; about 10:30-10:45/mile. I think I’ve told you that the course is pretty flat. Well, I lied. You might say Nebraska is flat, it might not have huge hills, but there are some good ones along the course. I hit the first rise just before the 5k point…I had to walk there. My secret goal of a no-walk half was suddenly over. I was irritated with myself and started running rather quickly. I saw my parents at the 5k point and slowed down for a photo…Then I was off, and heard my name being called and I saw my friends Tracey and Rose at mile 4! I started yelling and Tracey snapped this photo.
I love this picture! Seeing them energized me to keep going. Some race highlights: Lincoln has A LOT of good looking cops that were working the marathon! There was one who I stared at as I ran up to him, and by him-he was dreamy! And buff! Eye Candy in the morning!
After I made that turn, then I was at the next water stop. I then saw my friend Keith just before mile 6. I had told Keith I would get to him around 8:45…and he lives 2 blocks off the marathon route so he rolled out of bed and and got down there 2 minutes before I arrived! Good timing! I saw him, Yelled at him, and he said “go get ‘em Sugar Tits!” (that’s his special nickname for me! No judgement!) And off I went!
That part of the race is downhill for about ¾ of a mile so I was booking it. Then I got to the point where the race winds around to the Highway 2 bike path and narrows. I had some issues at this point. I walked and ran. I got a stitch in my side But every time I walked I thought about that stupid text message from Douche-Bag Scott that I had gotten the night before. THAT motivated me to keep going. Rage running is a thing. Right? It’s my thing apparently! And I did great when I thought about that text and how much of a douche Scott is/was.
“The Hill” is at mile 9ish. Its a long sloping hill, then it levels off, only to do another long sloping hill again. It sucks and I’ve always had to walk it. Whatever. It’s fine. That area is the Country Club with a lot of nice houses. One house had a spiral staircase in its backyard and a stone courtyard. I totally found it on Google Maps Street View. This is the house:
I then saw my friend and co-worker Linda and her son Myles. She yelled my name, and ran out and gave a hug and off I went again!
Miles 10-12 are a bit of a blur. I was so ready to be done. I just wanted to finish with a sub-2:30 and I saw the 2:25 pace group pass me and I was devastated. But then I decided that I had to run my own race, no matter what. I dug deep and started running again.
When I got to mile 12 I decided I would run it in. I got to about mile 12.5ish and saw Victoria! She told me to keep going and that I was awesome. So I pushed a little more and found the fire to go.
I crossed the finish line (at the 50 yd line of Memorial Stadium! Pretty cool for a Nebraska girl and Husker fan!) in 2:28:11. PR by more than 5 minutes. Victory is mine!
I was cold after the race:
Me and the sign my mom and dad made for me: (I love my medals!)
Afterwards, since it was Cinco De Mayo, my parents, brother and sister and I went to lunch at a local Mexican Restaurant. The Most Interesting Man in the world was there, so I posed for a picture with him:
This race was great! Next week I head to Fargo to run a 5k and Half Marathon with Bailee, Brooke and Johnna. I’m wildly excited for a Tumblr reunion!
Happy Friday Friends!
Runnin' Down a Dream 