My best half marathon yet!

I've been waiting to post this blog. It took the site a long time to post official results and pictures and I wanted to wait for all the info before I posted about MY BEST HALF MARATHON EVER!!! And I FINISHED THE CALIFORNIA DREAMIN SERIES!!!!

My previous personal best was set in Arizona in 2007 and I've been wanting to beat it ever since. I almost gave up on it and was thinking a 2:15 was just my pace. Somehow I managed to knock 7 whole minutes of my best time at 2:07:54. And I even stopped and pee'd at a port-a-potty so I probably ran it in like 2:06 at least! haha.

The weeks, days, and hours prior to the run I was in the zone. I felt more ready then I've ever felt. I was ready to bring on the pain, bring on the fatigue, I was ready to overcome it, and kick it's ass. As I stood at the start line with thousands of people and I thought, "20,000 runners, competition =1, myself and I'm about to kick my own ass." haha. This is what the start line looked like...I am back by the 11,000 wave...

Focused. Eye's on the horizon, rockin it out

Mile 8 at the turn around on PCH, I was already hurting...not bad but I knew I started too fast but there was no stopping me. Sometime around mile 9 I think I passed the 2:10 pacer and I knew I had to keep kicking it in. By mile 10, I hit a huge incline and I wanted it to be over. Mile 11, I started praying. Music wasn't able to help me anymore so I turned to prayer. I couldn't stop but I felt like I was running in slow motion. Now, that I look back on the map, I see that the last 3 miles was a slow enough incline that was just enough to make you feel like crap but not enough to really even see it with your own eye. Evil inclines.

I see the finish!! YAY!!!

Head down workin it out.

Finally over the finish!

Hallelujah!

I'm definitely praisin Jesus that its over.

Official Race Results

Here are all of my runs to date:

Click here to watch a video of me crossing the finish and to see more pictures

I love the Surf City Medal!

My coworker Bob and Frances came and met me after. I was really happy to have two friends come and support me after such an accomplishment. It really meant a lot to me. We hung out at the expo and ate and chilled a bit and then I was done and needed the jacuzzi and a nap.

When I put the California medal around my neck I got choked up. 39.3 miles and 6 hours and 36 minutes of running to earn that bad boy. Now, when I make my shadow box with all of my California Dreamin' Series medals and times they will read, 2:16; 2:15; 2:07! Goal accomplished.

My jacket! At the expo I also met Dane Rauschenberg. He's so rad. I had him sign his book for my mom. Google him. He was a really sweet guy. 

The feeling of accomplishment is almost too much to even put into words. It took 2 years and 39.3 miles but I did it! Check.... onto the next one! ;-)