Sound Bites & Snap Shots

I lined up this morning alone to run my 11th Evansville Half Marathon.  By alone, I mean that none of my usual running partners were by my side.  This year I didn’t train with anyone and the person who encouraged me to sign up with her dropped out this morning due to a foot injury.

I tried something new (a total race no-no) and ate my usual breakfast at 5 am.  I usually run all my long runs without any fuel and without having eaten beforehand.  I just hydrate along the way.  With a 7 AM start, I wondered if I should change things up.  The gamble didn’t quite bite me but it didn’t help me either.  Note to self—just do what you always do.

When I got downtown and was preparing to leave my car, I realized that all the time I spent queuing up podcasts was for naught.  I left my air pods on the charger.  Not only was I running solo, I was running naked.

What could I do but make the most of this opportunity? I walked down to the race start and wiggled my way in with a conservative pace group. I had trained sufficiently for distance but I knew this race I was not going to beat any records.  My mindset was to have fun and be present.

Gifts of the Day

Beautiful weather in the low 60s—sunny and crisp

Many gems on the sidelines—unexpected sightings of people I knew and people who knew me.  The biggest surprise was getting a personalized shout out from Father Tyler who I barely recognized in lay clothes.

Chats with strangers—a pregnant runner from Tennessee, a woman running for a cause and thank yous to so many race volunteers

A clean restroom post-race at the Doubletree Hotel

Many texts before, during and after with support and cheers

Guiltless onion rings and portabella sandwich at Bru Burger

Overall Stats

19/78 in the F 45-49 age group

216/699 with all females

5K | 31:48

10K | 1:03:42

15K | 1:33:26

Pace | 9:58

Time | 2:10:28

No matter how fast or slow I go, I’m always proud to call myself a runner and thankful my body will carry me this far.