I’ve started this at least 3 times now. But how can I put into words what an amazing time this entire experience was?

My first Lincoln Half-Marathon last year was a little scary. It was my very first half, I ran it with a couple of friends, but I knew they would all be running much faster than I would be, so I didn’t have anyone to line up with on race day. And that was ok. I like running alone. Its my time. 

But this year? This year was all about the internet. All about this community that I really didn’t know existed until after last year’s half. What a difference a year makes!

I went into the race hoping to PR my time. I’m down about 10 pounds from my racing weight last year, and hoped that my tempo runs during my training would pay off. I also didn’t want to walk at all. But I knew if I did, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

The morning dawned with a vicious thunderstorm. I prayed it would end before the race started and we headed to the starting line. About 10 minutes before my parents dropped me off it stopped raining. I took it as a good sign! I met up with Holli and Lindsay and we made our way to the back of the line. 

The Lincoln Marathon doesn’t have corrals, you just line up by your mile times or with pacer groups. I wanted to try and stay with the 2:30 pacer group and Lindsay and Holli decided that was too fast for them so they went a little further back. I also found my friend Rachael and suddenly, (30 minutes later!) we were off! 

The course is flat & fantastic–especially for someone who went to school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln! It winds its way through campus and then down into a beautiful older neighborhood called Sheridan where the homes and yards are stately and gorgeous! I get distracted there! Then, at the 10k point you hit the highway where you turn and follow the bike path for about 3 miles. After that you hit the only “hill”.  Its just before the 15k checkpoint and in the Country Club area. With a golf course on your right and even more lovely homes on your left, its hard not to get distracted here too!

Then you turn, and come out to one of the major city streets where you just know that Memorial Stadium (where you finish the race on the 50 yard line!) is coming soon! Its pretty great!

So I started running, seeing a group of Japanese drummers, a man dressed like Elvis, singing and reading our names off our bibs and yelling encouragement! It made my day when he said “Go Melissa! You’re a hunk of burnin’ love!” The spectators were great! Lindsay caught up to me around the 1 and half mile point and we stayed together until about the 3 mile point. But my hopes for a no walk race were dashed. I just needed to walk a bit. Which disappointed me, but I knew I would start running again. 

I saw my parents at the 5k checkpoint, waved, smiled for some pictures, got some water and kept going! I had thought my brother, sister-in-law and 2 little nephews would be at the 10k point, so I just kept running. I did pretty well–only took a few walk breaks at this point. 

I didn’t see my brother and sister-in-law at the 10k point, but I figured they were somewhere along the course. Before I knew it, we were on the bike path, and I was heading towards the hill. 

The hill sucked. I walked up it, I walked after it. But I knew I had to start running again because I had some fans that would be waiting for me!

My boyfriend Joe lives about 4 blocks off the marathon route. I came over the hill and saw him waiting for me. He took a picture and ran with me for about a block. He asked me how I was doing, and I told him I was dying! It didn’t rain–the weather cleared up and the sun came out. Leaving it very warm and humid. He was concerned, I told him I’d be okay. I then asked him why I signed up for the Chicago Full? He told me I had this and to finish strong and off I went. 

My co-worker Linda and her son were there too–but I never saw them. They made a fantastic sign. I think I was distracted by Joe! 🙂

As soon as I left him, I ran into Steph. She didn’t realize it was me, but I saw her sign, said hi, she cheered for me and I kept going. 

About a half mile later, I saw my friend Kelly. She was volunteering at the race. She ran up to me, gave me a hug, slapped me on the butt and yelled, “three more miles, go!!” So I did!

At the 11 mile mark I saw my family again. My brother and his family and their signs and my parents! I got some high fives and kept going. 

I finally made it to the stadium! I finished in 2:33:39, more than 9 minutes better than last years time! Yes, I had to walk–a lot. But I did it! I got my medal and started grabbing food and drinks–looking for anywhere to sit down!

My parents took Rachael, me and Joe out for lunch. It was their first time to meet him. It went very well! Then we went home and I took the BEST SHOWER EVER! 

I think that’s it. It was an amazing race. I had a great time, but what was even more amazing was all the people who came out to support me! I couldn’t have done it without them. They are the reasons I kept going! 

I can’t wait until next year! 🙂

Have a great day friends!