About a week ago I sort of decided to run a half marathon…I don’t know why…perhaps I was feeling a little adventurous??? I don’t know, Sally, I think it’s the tattoo. Actually a friend invited me to run with him and a couple of his co-workers as part of their corporate team. I agreed…mainly because well, it was FREE (his company paid our entry fees). I’ve never actually “raced” a half. Of course, I’ve run the distance before (and beyond) during marathon training runs, but for some reason I’ve never actually entered to run any half marathon races - ok, so there was that Nerstrand Big Woods ”incident”…but you know what I mean. Anyway, I got 2 free technical shirts out of it, one from the race itself & one from the team (you know, sometimes, it’s all about “the shirt” 
). Oh, yeah, the legs were also getting “antsy” since San Diego RNR & the recovery time thereafter.
So…to recap:
1. free registration
2. 4 person team
3. 2 technical shirts
4. the only “girl” on the team
5. 2 potty stops mid run - not sure why…have never done this in a marathon…over hydrated perhaps???
6. 1 WRONG TURN (AAARGH!) Boy was I peeved!
7. running an extra .4 miles because of the wrong turn…so technically I ran a 13.5 “half”?
8. 4 different loops around McAllister Park trails
9. being the 2nd to finish from our team
10. crossing the finish line TWICE! (1st time due to wrong turn - don’t worry, did not let them “scan” my number at the finish…let them know I still needed 1 more loop and they gladly sent me on my way with a “WE’VE GOT A LOST ONE!!! 
)
11. final finishing time of 2:36…not so bad afterall…I don’t think so anyway including “lost” time.
12. the best post race meal EVER!!! ~sponsored by Carrabba’s Italian Grill - of course! 
13. 1 additional black toe nail (to match the other from San Diego RNR) Heh!
Toots, this was a true TAS race. Chalk it up to Lumpy and Sally’s bad luck/essence/life of strange yet enlightening experiences floating above and around the race.
Oh, hey, and are you up for Nerstrand “again” this year? Or does it coincide with your marathon? We have not yet set the date for the “Afton Half” this year.
I believe Nerstrand is on the 18th Oct? Physically, I’d be up to it; however, I’ve also got the TX Ragnar Relay on 24-25th Oct. Yes, it’s official, we’re doing it. I’ve registered a team of 12, all paid, all committed, all seem to be uber excited about it. I’m the proud (I hope) team captain of Sole Mates. More to come on this….
I’d love to do the Afton Half again…it would be cool if it could be incorporated into my week #8 or week #12 long runs during my RNRSA training…. This is me excited and thinking about this in the middle of the night…let’s talk about it later…I may not be sane right now.
Oh, yeah, to add to my insanity, I’m doing the Freedom Day 4 Miler on Friday. Happy 4th!
It’s the tattoo! I know it is! It’s powerful.