Heading out on the run, I didn't know whether to be relieved (that I was closing in on the finish) or unnerved (that I was on to my weakest leg). It didn't help that as I was putting on my race belt, I ripped out the hole on my number, so it was flapping all over. Eventually I was able to tuck the errant corner into my shorts, and that worked fine. But it threw me off right at the beginning of the run, along with...
The first hill. Now, I was ready for hills. Not "happy" about hills, but ready. But this one? This was a 33% grade TRAIL, that I would have appreciated my hiking boots on. Rocky, slick, uneven, a breeding ground for rolled ankles. I stumbled once (oh, because also I still had my bike legs... this was no more than 500 feet into the run) and decided that I would walk the hill. It was a little disappointing to need to walk so soon, but I was DTF, after all, and didn't relish the idea of hauling my bod six miles on a bum ankle.
So, hike up the trail then we were off in earnest. The run was hilly. Except, that doesn't quite capture it. It was HI-LLY. Were I a better runner, it might have been fun, because the run was pretty twisty and turn-y and at least it rolled. But? I am NOT a better runner. So I did a lot of walking. A. Lot. On the other hand, I was moving forward. So I didn't beat myself up. I walked the uphills, ran as many of the flats as I could, and ran the downhills. I snagged water at every stop. I drank my Gatorade. My shins felt great, I was side-stitch free, and I enjoyed all the community support from the neighborhood - including several sprinklers set up to allow a quick "run through" - sooo appreciated!
I got passed a lot on the run, and everybody was so nice! They always managed to find something "positive" to say to me: "Yeah! Keep going!" or "Great steady pace - you'll get there!" Even "Man, that last hill was killer!" helped. One woman and I walk-breaked together and both pointed out that mile 4 took FOREVER to go by.
But after mile 4, it was all downhill. Okay, not literally, but time started to fly then. Back we went past trumpet-playing guy (still Rocky), and then it was mile 6. I couldn't believe it. I was going to finish! When I hit mile 6, I really started to get excited and a little emotional. From about .15 mile out, the crowd noise started to build up. (Little did I know that the "crowd noise" was almost ALL TNT supporters!) I saw Pat and a couple other friends just before I hit the last downhill, and then the world absolutely erupted! TNT friends everywhere I looked, hands out for a celebratory moment as I ran past. That distracted me until I got past them, and then I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so I did a little of both - I teared up behind my sunglasses and laughed a little hysterically. And then the finish line was there, and I was across it.
Run was slow: 11:16 minute miles. But I thought I was running about 12 mins, so it wasn't as bad as I thought. Total time, 3:17:change. A good 30 min faster than I expected! And, I was finished!
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