woohoo! I ran the half-marathon and lived to tell the tale!

Hey everyone, get this!
After months of having to listen to me whine about running and question my ability to live up to my goal of running a half-marathon it is over!
And I did it!!!!

So first let's give the beautiful version of the race............
It was 55 degrees at the beginning of the race in which 15,000+ people were running
With my wonderful husband and parents in the crowd along with thousands of others with signs and noise makers it was uber exciting and helped propel the first 6 miles quickly
We kicked butt on the hills because we have been training on those god awful man-made hell hills for the past 5 months, but we were passing people like a fat kid going after cake...it was awesome
After running 8 miles in the park we ventured out onto 7th Ave which took us into Times Square
We turned at 42nd St and finished the last 3 miles on a straight away down the West Side Highway
They had different areas with music to help us along and the finish line was pumping Lady Gaga and screams from the crowd
HOORAY I DID IT!!!!!!
HOLY CRAP.......I.........DID.........IT!
Afterwards we grabbed our medals and some water and post-race snacks
Met up with Steve and the 'rents and took some pics
Took the subway home, showered and then went to Sarabeth's for my fav....potato waffles!
That pretty much finished out my day as the rest was filled with naps and New Moon.
What a day.........what a day


Now, the parts that you leave out........except to the ones you love (because they get you and won't judge!)
We had to get up at 5:30 the morning of the race and until we left at 6:30 I was nothing but stressed over pooping. Sheesh! But believe me, nothing is worse than having to run in the am before pooping, let alone running 13 miles! Believe me......try it
It took about 15 minutes to even cross the starting line because out of the 15,000+ people running I was number 13,000somethingorother
btw, I was apparently one of the only people that did not fluff their finishing times because there were people that had lower numbers on their bibs that I was passing in the first mile because.......THEY WERE WALKING! yea, seriously people.....stop lying to yourself and NYRR
I realized that I really have to work on running and drinking out of paper cups as each time I tried to grab some water and drink while walking I snarfed most up my nose and the rest went on my shirt......something to work on for next time
Bad news...I still lost the will to live....good news, I lost it at mile 10 instead of 6......that's called growth people!
The last straight away of 3.1 miles was pretty brutal
I was dizzy and couldn't feel my legs for the last 1.5 miles but refused to walk or stop
Unfortunately like most other runners I am apparently not driven by the finish line
I kept thinking about "turning it up" for the last mile and my legs just wouldn't listen
Oh well.........finished in 2:11
HOORAY I DID IT!!!
HOLY CRAP...........I..........DID.........IT!!! I got my medal and water (since now I could actually get some in my mouth!) and met up with my parents and Steve
Steve made pics happen immediately, hence my super creepy eyes of running death! haha
Honestly I felt pretty crappy for at least 30 min after running
I was getting super dizzy and nauseous and people's faces were turning yellow/gray......hmmm probably not a good thing
Anywoo......sat down for a few minutes and ate an apple and people's faces returned for normal (hooray, I didn't pass out! I'm such an athlete! haha)
We walk to the subway......like a mile.......I swear
Then we have to transfer twice because of construction so it took FOREVER to get home
At one point on the subway Steve said "What's wrong"
Me : "seriously!? I just ran 13 miles then had to walk a mile to the freakin subway. My feet hurt, my hip hurts, my knee hurts, I'm nauseous, I'm dizzy and I smell."
Steve: "that's it, do you want to take another picture?"
Me : "ugh, no! How come yesterday you had us take a cab home because you were afraid Dolly was tired after going to the dog park for 20 minutes when she just stood there but today I can run for 2 hours and you make me walk to the subway!?"
Steve : "you should be happy, that's how much I think of you. I thought Dolly was too tired, but figured you are fine"
Me : ** eye rolling ** then another wave of nausea overcomes me so I can't say anything because I have to put my head between my legs to avoid passing out
Steve : "So how did you feel after the 13 miles"
Me : "Okay I guess"
Steve : "Like you could do another 13 miles to do a whole marathon?"
Me : **more nausea**

Overall though I will probably do another half-marathon
Next up......Diva Half-Marathon on Long Island in October
something about it is calling me.......maybe it's the boas and champagne!