The first was mid-month and a last minute entry. I was looking for a confidence builder before my third and final half marathon of the year. I entered the Hot Chocolate 15K in Denver.
What a FUN race.
They gave a great winter, hooded running jacket vs the standard tech shirt. Super awesome.
After the race, they gave us these little hot chocolate/chocolate fondu bowls.
Cup of hot chocolate in the middle and tasty dipping treats like bananas, graham crackers, marshmallows...
mini pretzels... all inside for dipping and enjoying.
Talk about race swag! Not to mention, the 15K finisher medal was HUGE! A gold foil, commemorative, chocolate bar of a medal.
Unfortunately after running nearly 10 miles, the last thing I wanted was a bunch of chocolate fondu. But I know a couple of kids that could help me finish it off.
They thought the fondu surprise treat was really awesome!
Especially this kid!
Then a week and a half ago I ran my third ever (and this year) half marathon at the Denver Rock n Roll Marathon.
My Running Buddy and I had been training hard for this race. Our first half marathon we would run together. Unfortunately, Monday before the race my Running Buddy hurt her ankle in volleyball and her doctor said, "No way!" to running 13.1 miles in 6 days. I was super bummed out.
But I still had a race to run!
The kids went with me to packet pick up. I was completely panicked to take the kids down town in order to get the packet. I didn't have a choice this time. There weren't any race day packet pick-ups allowed. So we piled in my SUV - the perfect vehicle to be maneuvering and attempting to park in the bustling city. Oh and she was bustling!
Round and round we drove trying to find the closest parking spot possible. If it had just been me, I would have parked a few blocks away and walked over. But I was not about to take the chance of two head-strong-I-want-to-be-independant-and-not-hold-your-hand-while-crossing-the-street kids darting out into traffic or dancing off the curb in front of a city bus. (Especially at the tail end of the lunch hour down town Denver.) No way! I honestly didn't even want them to walk on the sidewalk one block.
I could have parked in the parking garage but it was $20 to park! I was going to be less than 45 minutes getting my packet. Highway robbery!
Lady luck was on our side and after the second time circling the block(s) I spotted a meter parking spot just outside the convention center. Yahtzee! I dug in my wallet for every nickle, dime and quarter I had. I managed to scrounge up just enough money to buy myself one hour on the meter. I explained to my Brown Eyed Girl all about parking meters while I was looking for loose change and we were off!
The kids had a blast looking up at the big buildings, watching the cars zoom by, riding the escalator in the convention building, seeing the big blue bear peeking in and walking around the exhibitors at the mini health convention. We sampled Cliff Bars, energy snacks, vitamin water and mineral-workout-drinks galore. Browsing and meandering at all the booths.
My Brown Eyed Girl at one point asked me if I needed to leave for my appointment. I told her I didn't have any appointments today. My only appointment this afternoon was getting my packet and that was what we were doing.
A little while later, my Brown Eyed Girl said she "really needed to use the potty" and we sprinted back down the escalator in search of the facilities. Mr Blue Eyes was rambling on and on about not wanting to go yet and my Brown Eyed Girl asked me again if I needed to go on my appointment while we were washing our hands.
"Honey, I don't have any appointments today."
She started stuttering trying to find her words while we were started to dry our hands off. "But Mommy, I thought you got a ticket of you didn't get back for the appointment."
"Ticket? Honey what.... OMG the parking meter!!!" Oh $h%!
She smiled and jumped for joy. "Yes Mommy! The parking meter! How much time do we have?"
I quickly glanced at my phone and we were 15 minutes past our allotted meter time. Good greif, this is why I do not come down town!! I told the kids we had to hurry and we began sprinting as fast as our shortest pair of legs could carry us while holding hands and praying there weren't any large buses in route. We were out of time and I told them to cross their fingers we didn't have a ticket on our car - or worse yet a boot... or what about towed. I had absolutely no concept of the penalties for letting the meter run dry. $h%!
We approached our car and.... THERE WAS NO TICKET TO BE SEEN!
Ahhhhh Yes! Angels were singing. The kids were cheering. I was smothering my Brown Eyed Girl in kisses and telling her she has the best memory EVER and that I love her to the moon and back!
What an adventure!
Race day I ended up connecting with an old friend from high school. This would be her first half marathon. It sounded like we were paced about the same and decided to at least ride down there and start the race together.
Nervous jitters, 45 minutes waiting in line to use a porta-potty (unacceptable!) and we were lined up and ready to run!
We actually were perfectly matched together on our pace. It was great running an entire race like that with someone. When the hills got killer, we had someone to commiserate with. We chatted throughout the race and laughed that the last time we ran together was probably volleyball practice when we were 17. It really was a neat experience.
The last mile of the race I was ready to boogy and push myself to the finish line with one last hurrah. My old friend was feeling the miles. When I asked her if she had a little more in the tank to push out that last mile, she looked at me with an all too familiar look that said she was barely putting one foot in front of the other at this moment in time. I smiled at her and told her to just keep going, don't stop now and I would see her at the finish line.
Off I went to finish my third half marathon with my best personal record!
I crossed the finish line and not far behind me was my race partner. She was exhausted and in a daze, I made sure she stopped for just a minute to capture her moment and her accomplishment.
Nothing like a finish line photo to remember every mile!
We met up with her husband, kids and family and talked about the race as they congratulated us for our achievements. It ended up being a wonderful day and a great race.
In one year and over three half marathon races, I had shaved off a little over 20 minutes off my personal time for 13.1 miles. I was very proud of myself!
I told Melissa I would love to run another one with her!
Now the question is... do I need to retire these bad boys and get a new pair of shoes? These puppies have logged a lot of miles this year!
I got home, a little sore and a little stiff. I hung up my medal and my bib on my running board.
I wonder how a full marathon medal would look hanging there next year....
