Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I saw, I conquered)

That’s right.  I conquered my first Half Marathon and it felt Great!! 

This past weekend I traveled to Myrtle Beach to meet up with my two best girls Mags and Betts for the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon.  We decided to make this a couple’s weekend since Betts husband was also running in the ½.    Lark and I arrived in MB and stopped off at the Expo to pick up the race packet.  I picked up a few goodies and then we headed to the condo. 

 

Friday night was going to be a low key night with an early bed time.  This is very unusual for us when we are at the DC condo.  After stuffing our bellies with pasta, salad and bread, I tried to call it a night.  Considering we had to be up at 4:00AM, (Gun-Time was 6:30AM) it was in my best interest to get a good night’s sleep.  WRONG.  I think I woke up every hour on the hour!

The alarm sounded and it was game time.  Every runner has their “routine” before a race.  After we all had our coffee and power breakfast we got on the road to Broadway at the Beach.  The plan was for Lark and Chris to drop us off and then meet us at the finish line.  Instructions were given on round-about times we should finish so we could all meet in the end. 

I started training for this event mid-November and I couldn’t believe the race clock was ticking down.  The gun sounded and it was time to get moving.  6,000 people all going in the same direction.  It took around 3 minutes just to get to the start line.  The run was great.  I spotted Lark and Chris cheering for us around mile 3 or 4.  It’s such a comforting feeling to see a familiar face while you are out there on the road.  The first portion of the race was on Highway 17, followed by a loop in the Market Common Shopping Area before we crossed over to Ocean Drive for the last half of the race.  Running down Ocean Drive was awesome though it did get a little breezy.  This is where I have to mention that the weather was PERFECT.  All of my training runs had been in sub 30 degree weather so running in 50 degree weather was an added bonus.  I passed mile 12 and knew that I didn’t have much farther to go.  I checked my watch and was happy thus far.  Just as I turned the corner to enter the lanes towards the finish line, Betts came out and ran a portion with me.  Then I saw Lark cheering me on.  I gave him a High-5 as I passed by and knew that it was time to gun-it. 

Get there….Get there faster…is what was going through my mind.  I did it….I crossed the finish line!!!  My chip time was 2:36:44.    I was alive, somewhat pain free and knew in my heart that I did my best and would definitely do it again.  That was my goal…. cross the finish line with the feeling that I would do another ½ in the future. 

After meeting up with the gang for a few group photos we headed off to breakfast and then back to the condo to relax in the sun.  They guys hung around the condo and Mags, Betts and I went back to where it all started…sitting on the beach listening to Sugarland.

After rejuvenating in the sun, we headed out for a victory dinner at Bistro 217.  The meal was incredible and the company was the best.  A trip to the DC Condo isn’t complete without a stop at the Causeway.  The next morning came too quickly though it was the perfect way to end the weekend.  Nothing beats a sunrise with your best friends. 

 As I wrap up my details of this memorable weekend, I have to dedicate “Thank-You” by Keith Urban to my husband and my two best girls.  I can’t wait to do this again with you.

Signing off this week as the one and only Trix