Halloween Halfathon Race Recap

I survived the Halloween Halfathon, just barely.
78 @ the Start w/ 90% Humidity.

START: Late start, a bit of confusion and the humidity alone was making us hot just standing there. We did however find Maddy and got to chat a bit while we checked out all the random costumes.

The first 5k: Feeling good, HOT but good, made sure to stick with B.o.B, trying to incorporate that whole, don't start off too fast routine that worked so well in Chicago. We cheered the speedies passing us, we laughed and goofed around... By the 3 mile mark I threw up the peace sign and took off. The legs were feeling great and I felt like I had a good race in me.

To 10k - Still running strong but SO HOT. I Gu'd at 6, without water. It was HOT. Not.a.good.idea. *Cue Nausea* Need to pee.

From 10k To 10 M - "The wheels fall off and go crash, crash, boom... Crash, crash, boom. CRASH, CRASH, BOOM."

Shortly after the 6 mile mark I see a lone Porta-o-Potty and water stop. I drink some water in an attempt to calm my stomach and hit the pot. *Cue Dry Heaving* Stumble out and continue stumbling along til around mile 8. Why isn't there water at the turn around?!?!? Then I hear my name and realize B.o.B has caught up to me and she is running strong! I tell her I am dying and then she B.o.B's me. Yup, she smokes my @ss and I eat her dust... but I didn't care, my Boo had a PR in her future and I was excited for her! Get it girl! Get it for me while you're at it!!!

Before she disappears out of sight I see her high five a familiar looking runner dude with weird shoes and I rally enough energy to high five Jamoosh as he goes by... and then I start dry heaving again. This is about the time I adopt the Galloway Method and play leap frog with all the people surrounding me for the rest of the course. I've never seen so many people walking a race, nor have I ever walked so much of a race myself. Sure, maybe at a water stop and surely at the end of Gasparilla, but 5 miles worth?!?!? FAIL.

Just before the 10 mile marker I realize I'd been leap frogging Cinderella for awhile and decide to chat with her; I had heard her mention to another runner earlier something about running Chicago and I think to myself maybe recalling a happier place and time will rally my spirits... She tells me I look familiar... "Wait are you The Redhead?" Holy crap ya'll, I'm famous! LOL! We stuck together for awhile, chatting and pushing each other on, thanks so much Cinderella!!!

Final 5k - FML. I want to die. Cinderella pushes off somewhere around 12 and shortly thereafter I come up on a kid with a bike. Having no shame I offer him $5 to take me to the finish. Little bastard just laughed at me. After this I see D from the B.R.A. She tells me to stay linear thru the winding path to save energy and to keep going, I was almost there. I try to speed it up, I see the Finish but the nausea that has been in the pit of my stomach since mile 6 gets angrier. OMG am I ever going to finish this effing race?!?!? I see B.o.B & P-Funk, I flash the thumbs down and yell, FAIL!

FINISH - I reenacted the scene above as I go under the Finish line. They did announce me as I went thru but I hated my life too much to appreciate it. Official Chip Time: 2:09 / 9:55 Pace

Post Race - I was a hot mess. My foot was killing me, my knee was killing me, and I almost passed out when we went over to chat up Jamoosh and his wife. Talk about making a stellar first impression! We grabbed a picnic table and I spent a good deal of time with my head between my knees trying not to pass out or puke.

The ride home was hell. Lots of pukey burps. So attractive. Puked at B.o.B's. Got cleaned up and started home. Puked on the side of I-4. (Actually got beeped at while puking, explain that to me.) You can just go ahead and deduct those classy points now...

Post Race Thoughts - Overall the course itself was a beautiful one and had the temps not been so hellacious, I might have actually enjoyed it.

EDIT: There were six water stations, although given the heat I think there should have been more, specifically at the turn around; where racers were left to their own devices for nearly 4 miles on an exposed stretch.

In short, this little Redhead died a slow brutal death. I had secretly hoped to PR but that obviously was not in the cards and I'm happy with my Finish time all things considered; I am just coming off an amazing Marathon a few short weeks ago, I died hard core at the end but still finished in a respectable time, so I'll take it. We all have bad races and yesterday was just not my day... no worries, plenty on deck and hopefully cooler temps to boot.

"That which doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger."

Alright that's it for me... off to Daytona to cheer on Tall Guy Surfing & Melissa in the Daytona Half!!! Make sure you hit up B.o.B's recap to congratulate her! Congrats Boo! GIANT PR MUCH?!?!?!