14th marathon, done!  First weekend in May.  It was flat and HOT.  The best comment was another runner saying ‘we can go for PW’s today — personal worst.’  It was both a half and full marathon where it’s packed at the start and then you get a little lonely after mile 11 when the half heads to the end.  We were running on a parkway (or something of the like) with zero shade and blistering sun (now, granted, typing this now when it’s been 100 degrees today, it was ‘cold’ then).  Took it relatively easy and felt good.  At mile 18 starting easing back and at 20 starting walking for safety sake (and my IT band was hurting).  But then I just starting getting bored with the walking.  I would aim to run to a certain point (a tree or lightpost) then walk again.  I had taken my iPod because I knew the marathon was small and wanted some company.  The worst part of the race was when I took 2 cups of water.  Drank one and splashed the other on my face and core — that also splashed on my iPod and fried it.  AHHH!!!!  No more music and entertainment for a good 4+ miles.    I was impressed at how long trying to get the iPod back on distracted me — pressing that button endlessly will make it work.  Then it was time to hum, sing, think deeply about why we/I are/am so passionate about this sport.

Kept going and going with the race, mile numbers got larger, that 26 came eventually as did the beautiful finish line.  Made three goals — finished, another state done, and under 4 hours.  14th female overall, 5th in age group.