Half Marathon Report

I doubt it was pretty at the end, but I ran the entire thing and finished in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 8 seconds which translates to a 10:01 minute pace.

40 degrees at the start, no wind and sunny. Really, perfect running weather.
The first part of the course is basically flat and runs through much of historic Springfield. The best part of course through historic Springfield is the run towards the State Capital with the rising sun illuminating its golden rays. I averaged a sub 10 minute mile pace through the first half. We ran through picturesque Washington park, then onto Lincoln avenue. Between mile 8 and 9, the hills started. I knew the course was a little hilly, but I thought, how many hills can there be in Springfield? This is Illinois and we are surrounded by corn. By the time we entered Oak Ridge Cemetery at mile 10, I started wondering how many more hills I would have to endure. Of course, all cemeteries are hilly. I know I ran past Lincoln's Tomb, but I don't remember it.

The hills didn't end until Mile 12, and by then, all I want to do is finish the darn thing..... Towards the end, people are cheering you on - saying "the tunnel is the end". Well, you go through the tunnel and down another street before crossing the finish line. I must have looked stressed crossing the finish line, because one of the volunteers came right beside me and asked if I was OK and that she would walk with me. I was like - hey, I'm OK - please don't touch me!

There was all sorts of food at the end of the race - bananas, oranges, apples (as expected). And pizza and sub sandwiches (not expected). As I am guzzling down water and Accelerade sports drink, I watched lots of people chowing down on pizza. And I wanted to throw up. I couldn't eat anything solid for another two hours after the race, and I was not about to eat pizza.....

Back at home, I spent the entire afternoon on the couch.
But running the half marathon was a worthwhile endeavor - I would (and probably will) do it again!