Holiday half marathon race recap

Holiday half marathon in Pomona.

Half marathon number 24.

I cannot believe this...that is a lot of miles..

Ok the race...

It was my third year in a row running this crazy hilly course.

The first year I PRd there, this year I did not....I died instead...

It was rough.

This race starts at 8 am and I think that it is too late.  Last year it was cold on race day and this year it was super hot.....heat and hills...talk about hell right there.

I knew I would not do great but I did not expect to struggle that much.  I went to the race by myself, I told Bill to stay home and skip that one.  I regretted that as soon as I left...I like having my family supporting me and it helps me to know I will see them on the course.  This race is pretty close to home so the drive there is short.  It was nice and cold in the morning but I knew that it would get warm and it did.  Race started at 8:05.  I felt OK at  first and I was hopefull that this would be a good day on the course.

The first hill came way too soon....it was like "wake up everybody!"

Before mile 6 my knee was done.  I could not run on it..it was too painful.  I power walked.  I was frustrated.  Darn injury.  I kept trying to run for short stretches but it was not going to get better.  I started to get a lot of muscle cramps. My right hip was on fire.  I had my phone and I posted about my troubles and I have to thank all of you who kept me in the race.  I was wondering why Bill was not texting me.  I thought that maybe the boys were not behaving well at home and he did not want me to worry about that or he just forgot...either way it was not good for my spirit!  But my Instagram and Facebook friends you were all the bestest of the best! Thank you!  Good thing I did carry my phone!!

The hills are part of the course up until around mile 11 I think.  I could not wait to be DONE. It was also hot and I lost a lot of salt...even with taking salt tablets and my stomach was not great once again.  I don't remember the last miles...I know I wanted to stop many times...I am so happy I did not.  

Here I could see the finish line 

And then......I got a huge surprise....

See this was my reaction

Bill and the boys were there at the finish!!!!

I was so happy to see them...

What a hard half marathon this was...possibly the hardest with my very first one.

It was hard physically and mentally.

I am glad that I did not give up.

I would say I ran 30% and walked 70%.

I came in 2:43:xx a terrible time but with all that walking how can it not be...

I almost collapsed at the end...some guy caught me just in time...

I refused the wheel chair and the trip to the medic tent....kids were watching...no need to scare them.

I saw the best sign ever around mile 9:

Seriously....custom made for me...

I got 2 medals this year...second one for completing this thing 3 years in a row.

I am resting for a few days.  My body is hurting from this one.

My parents are getting here tonight and it is the last week of school before the Holiday break...got a lot to do...