runnin on empty (runnin wiiiiiiiiiiiiild)

i ran this race the weekend after easter with my friend a.s. (i contemplated posting our before picture, but it looks suspiciously like an after picture.) it's a beautiful course 'round the monuments, usually lined with cherry blossoms. but they came out the week prior and then most were knocked out by the high winds and rain we had just before the race.

here's a lil run-down.

we met at the smithsonian metro just after 7am and listed all the reasons we weren't prepared for this race (this is the part where i complain). i didn't sleep or eat much that week,* didn't drink enough water and had waffles with whipped cream for brunch the day before, which my mouth loved, but my stomach did not. and it let me know sunday morning when i could barely choke down a bite of cliff bar without it closing up slash rebelling. that's all i'll say about that. i started waking up at 3am, stopped trying to sleep around 5am and finally got up at 5:55 on race morning. also, i was wearing brand new shoes and had gotten a pedicure the night before. total amateur.

and now a list:

miles 1 and 2 - cramps in my arches - probably from not being used to actual support

mile 2.5 to 3.5 ish - cramps in arches gone, replaced by side ache

mile 4.5 - remembering that i felt GREAT at this point last year. not so much this year.

mile 5 - i'm only half way? why am i doing this again?

mile 6 - blessed water stop!

mile 7 - considering stopping at portas, just so i can rest

mile 7.5 - water stop is half mile earlier than expected, throwing off what was left of my sorry mental game

mile 8 - calves hurt a little. that's it. stop to stretch.

mile 8.75 - last water stop. only a mile and a quarter. i can do this

mile 9.5 - the finish is just over that hill. chaaaaarrrrggggge!!!

halfway up the hill - maybe i shouldn't have floored it

top of the hill - where's the damn finish?!

mile 10 - "ma'am, you have to keep moving; please collapse over there"

despite all that, it was a fun race...because i like to run. also, finally a semi-decent race picture. i think its the sunglasses. they really bring the whole ensemble together, no?

hmm...i need to work on my form.

*i can count the number of times this has happened on one hand. i like to eat. a lot. it generally doesn't even have to be good. if it's there, i'll probably eat it.