Sunday was my 12^th half marathon for the year… still can’t believe I made it to #12, it has been a year of ups and downs, Injury and disappointment along with many, many happy moments.  I was feeling pretty good going into this race.  My DNF was a month behind me and I had completed the Empire State Half the week before.  I hadn’t trained much, just one 2 mile run earlier in the week so I knew my endurance wouldn’t be great, but I also knew that my leg is still not 100% and needs more time to heal so I was planning to run slow and conserve my energy.  My goal was a 10:00-10:30 pace, which I was able to maintain for about 85% of the race so I was pretty happy.

The day before my race I went and spectated the Skeleton Skamper 5K and half in Racine, I have run this race before so I didn’t sign up for it this year.  There were several members of the KRC and OFG running the race so I got to see lots of amazing runners set out to meet and exceed their goals.

KRC group before the race!

This Haunted Hustle was just outside of Madison so I got some family time too.  Spent Saturday evening with two pretty cute Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles after I went to packet pickup.

Two very cute Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Race goodies!

The race, it was chilly Sunday morning, but less wind than the day before so that was good.  I arrived super early since I wasn’t sure of the parking situation, the full started 1 hour before the half, so I got there about 15 min before the full started.  Luckily we could hang inside of the Keva center and keep warm (and use real bathrooms pre race!)  it was really fun watching everyone come in with their outfits, Halloween races always have some great costumes.

Start/Finish line!

pre race waiting inside where it’s warm

The race started at 9am and it was chilly, only around 36 degrees at race start, not very windy which was great.  I got going and felt pretty good, the first few miles flew by, and right around mile 3 I had a really great surprise, I saw Mel from Fellow Flowers, I smiled even bigger and gave her a high five.  Seeing someone you know on the course unexpectedly is the best adrenaline rush I could have had during the race.  I was totally pumped after seeing her.  I was also wearing my orange flower for the first time in this race, so even better.

story of the orange flower

sometime after mile 3 on the trail

After mile 3 we were on a trail, it was so pretty and nice.  I really enjoy running on a trail, plus it’s nice switching it up from pavement to crushed gravel/limestone.  There were even some wooden bridges that we ran across.  Very pretty area and a nice change from running on streets.  The trail continued for a bout 3 miles, then we were out near a few farms, and you could smell the farms…ewwww!!!

going up another hill!

As we got closer to mile 9 we were heading back towards the Keva center and the airport, I really enjoyed the combination of road and trail in this race.  Around mile 9 I started to slow down and began run/walking.  It also got windy on the course.  I ended up finishing with a time of 2:28:14 not my best, but not my worst!  It was a really nice course and a race that I would definitely do again.

around mile 9, the two ladies behind me also have flowers on, they passed me after a bit!

I did it!