2:49:58

I did it! I finished! My FIRST half-marathon! I ran the entire time!

I must say overall I really enjoyed the race. The atmosphere was AWESOME! All different types (ages, sex, etc.) and sizes of people (big, small, in between) I saw running! I was quite surprised at all the people that walk so much of the race. I mean after all you train for these long runs etc. I actually was quite envious of these walkers during miles 8-11. I really wanted to walk seeing all the others walking. But, I was afraid I would NOT be able to start running again. And I sure as hell didn't want to walk across the finish line!

Before the race I lined up near the back for finishing under 3 hours. Must of been a good place to be because of the 15 porta pottys there were NO LINES! I did get to pee before we started! My knee felt fine the entire time (it's been sore around 5 miles for my last 2 long runs, but going to the chiropractor must have helped). I also must have eaten my banana early enough before the race because my stomach was fine also the entire time also. As we crossed the start line there were two fire truck on each side of the road we were running through with their ladders raised high. The two were holding an HUGE American flag over the road between the two ladders. The downtown ,the neighborhoods and park were beautiful. It was a great scene to run 13.1 miles through. The sun was HOT! It was quite windy all morning, which I loved, I think it helped me cool down. I did drink some water at the water stations from like miles 7-12, which was so refreshing. I had never drank water or anything while running before. But since the sun was so hot, I was sooooooooooooooooooo thirsty! It didn't bother my stomach either! Like I said, I really wanted to walk a few times, but my goal was to run (jog) the entire time and I DID!!!!! The last mile seemed like the longest. I didn't know exactly where we run into the stadium. I seemed like we kept running around and around the stadium and I just wanted to take the shortcut inside. Finally we turned up the sidewalk and through the stadium. I ran down the football field and made it to the 50 yard line! And saw myself up on the jumbo tron. THE FINISH LINE! I ran 13.1 miles! My time might be slow, but I was so glad to finish! They handed me my medal and a bottle of warm water (YUCK)! I walk and walked and finally sat down @ the 50 yard line near the sideline to watch DH when he finished the full marathon. I felt kind of light headed and sick to my stomach. I took my socks and shoes off. I felt like I had a blister on my little toe. Sure enough I did, 3 actually total on my feet! About 1/2 hr after the race I felt so sick. I actually had "stomach" issues for about 2-3 hours after. We all just hung out on the field for that time, watching, eating, taking in the atmosphere & lots of pictures and enjoying the day! The post race food (bananas, pizza, granola bars, pasta, bagels, water) was located at the top of the stadium, which was a pain, literally! And with my "stomach" issues, I think I climbed those stairs at least 10 times! I only ate about 3 bites of pizza, 1 banana and a granola bar after the run because I couldn't stomach anything else. After we left the stadium we headed to the 27 mile victory bash where I had 1/2 of a Diet Coke and we sat and listened to the band for a bit. We then decided to go have a beer and the closest to our parked cars was Hooters. LOL We got a beer (I only had 1/2 of my MGD 64) and I ordered boneless wings & fries. Ate about 1/2 my fries and like 4 wings with 2 LARGE glasses of water. My stomach still wasn't feeling great! We visited and left about 2 hrs later to head for home. Right when I got in the car I got a horrible headache. I didn't have my morning coffee before the run, or 2 sodas during the day like I do everyday (only the 1/2 of a can after the run). I'm pretty sure I had a caffeine headache. I took Advil, but it lingered the entire ride home. I was unsure if I'd be able to make it 3 hrs without stopping for a bathroom, but about 2 hrs into the drive I had to pee, from all the water. We stopped at McDonald's and I got a small M&M McFlurry. It tasted GREAT! Made it home, and the shower felt soooooooooooooooooooooooo good!!! Put on my pj's, had a diet Mt. Dew & 1 pt. bag of popcorn and was in bed by 8pm. My body is so achy.

p.s. I signed up for the Chicago Rock & Roll Half-Marathon August 1st!