Still can’t believe that I ran 2 half marathons in 2 days!

The Biggest Loser 1/2 marathon Racine, I was doing this race because most of the course is right where I normally run, I love the Racine lakefront so when I’m training I drive the 2 miles to the lake often to run, North Beach is where I first started running, it has hills and great views, so when I found out there was going to be a race there I was in. I had done the biggest loser 10k last year and the race was very well put together and this year didn’t disappoint.

My friend Frank, Liz and Jerad were also running the race so I knew I’d have some familiar faces at the end of the race. It was perfect race weather, a bit cool so the ideal running temp. I knew it would warm up as the race got going and it turned out to be a perfect race day. But not the perfect race for me, I was sore, hurt and not sure I even wanted to start the race.

Before the race

Getting ready to start, Dan and Jackie Evans from Biggest Loser season 5

Once I got going I just wanted to quit, my legs felt like tree trunks and it took everything not to lay on the ground and give up, but anyone that knows me knows that I never give up, I hide my pain and I keep going and keep going I did.

Mile 1 sucked, mile 2 sucked by mile 3 I was feeling good, I was walk running but I felt good. By mile 5 I wanted to quit again, but I knew I could do it but I wanted to be done. At mile 6.2 I saw my mom, she finally made it to one of my races. She was right by DP Wiggly and as I got up the hill and saw her I was so surprised and I was in pain… But I was almost halfway done, I knew I could do it and see my mom at the finish, just run walk and I could make it… And I did… Mile by mile I trucked on.

At mile 6.2 when I saw my mom.

Around mile 10.5 I met a guy from Chicago that was doing his very first half, his wife was also doing it and she talked him into it. We talked and ran walked for almost 2 miles before I decided to run the last part of the race, so I ran down gateway hill, along Pershing park and behind festival hall where I got another surprise, one of my favorite running partners was at the end of the path, two left turns and I was done. It always gives me a rush to see people you know out on the course and a familiar face was just what I needed. I pushed on and finished, saw my mom then found my friends. Never again will I run 2 halfs in 1 weekend when I’m fighting an injury.

Almost the end of the race! Friends on the race course totally makes my day, thank Andy for the photo.

Post race with Frank and Liz, pic with Biggest Loser contestants Jeff and Francelina from season 14

Mom and I after the race!

With Andy, my broken running friend, can’t wait till we can run together again.

This was not my perfect race and I am happy I didn’t just give up, but it took everything in me not to quit.  I really hope I can make it through the Brewers Mini in just a few days, lots of rest and recovery this week and a trip to the chiropractor to see if that helps me at all… 9 of 13 done!