Why do you ask? Well because that's when the 2nd running of the Prince William Half occurred.
I had no/low expectations of myself at this race. Before anyone starts spouting inspirational dribble about how I should be proud and yadda yadda yadda, I went into this race with the only expectation of finishing it and fully enjoying the splendor that is the Manassas Battlefield.
There is something to be said for going into a race with such a mindset. I enjoyed myself. Really enjoyed myself. I saw friends, cheered people on, got swept up in the beauty of the rolling fields, and just flat out enjoyed myself over those 13.1 miles. I ran those miles in a state of awe, wonder, happiness, and gratefulness. Most importantly, I trusted in myself. I trusted in the work I had put in.
So race day started off cold. Like 46 degrees cold. What?!?! Fall showed up in a big way. This was a topic of discussion in our MRTT group. What to wear!?! So I settled on my long sleeve MRTT shirt, a pair of capris (knee pants on me), and gloves. Two layers of gloves. I had my favorite oatmeal for breakfast, and made sure I had everything with me, including my bib! I didn't forget my bib this year! I'm already winning!
On the way to Jiffy Lube, I get to drive part of the course and see the Stonewall Jackson Fire Dept. out with their ladder truck and an enormous American flag hanging from the ladder. I did get a little teary. So once in the parking lot at Jiffy Lube, it was really just a hurry up and wait. I met up with friends, we took the huge MRTT picture, and then we wandered over to the chute for the start of the race.
I positioned myself at the very back of the corrals, back with the 3:30 folks. I had no expectations, and pretty quickly I moved up past the 3:00 pace group and as we moved out onto the roads, I just enjoyed the marching bands and cheerleading squad that was out on University Blvd. Pass the fire truck again, and then past my high school's drum band. Drums and races, they're just two of my favorite things. Having your feet fall at the same time as the beat is something amazing, and being able to feel those beats makes it all the better.
So then it was onto 29 for the bulk of the race, and I passed the 2:45 pace group. What?! Well, we'll see if that holds. I was feeling really good. Cold, but good. My hands were still cold, but the rest of me was comfortable. I look over towards the battlefield and the sun is hitting the dying grass in a way that makes it look like sugar was sprinkled over the entire field. It's so gorgeous. I take a nice deep breath. The crisp air feels amazing.
Before I know it we're about to turn up New York Ave., towards the monuments, and here is where I start to see my friends. First up is a schoolmate that I've known from elementary days, she's with the 2:15 group and looks amazing. Next is my neighbor and fellow MRTT'er, she's so energetic. Then I pass another fellow MRTT'er, and finally, it's my time to go up around the loop and work my way back down the hill. Then back out to 29 towards Stone House. I pass all the same girls, except this time I see my most frequent MRTT running partner, and another MRTT'er that's moved back to the area. Seeing them along the course really helps motivate me. I want to see them again, and I start figuring out the next spot that I'm likely to pass them.
Before I pass all of them again, my watch goes off. 5 miles in under an hour. What!?! I didn't think I was doing that well, but that's awesome. I'm also feeling pretty good. Those 5 miles flew by, and now we're running back up 29.
I did break the cardinal rule of racing though. I wore a brand new bra, which was awesome by the way, and I tried new nutrition. Luckily, everything worked out. The bra didn't chafe and I saved $6 on it because Target was having a sale. I've been mulling over changing my fuel during long runs because the Gatorade chews I've been using have started upsetting my stomach. Always a good thing while running long distances with no bathroom in sight. So I tried some Gu, and I really liked the first one. It was Carmel Macchiato which is my hubs favorite Starbucks order, so that made me think of him, and then running those hills that were coming weren't so bad. The second Gu I had was not as nice, and I did not finish it. I shouldn't be surprised because I do not like berry flavors, and it was Triple Berry. Ok, back to the recap.
I see all of my girls again after turning up the road headed towards Rock Fight. Rock Fight is my favorite section of the battlefield, but it did slow a lot of folks because it's all hills. Lots of small little hills with bigger hills at either end. Luckily, if you train on this stretch of the trail, the road follows the trail, so I was used to these hills. It made it easier to encourage my fellow racers.
So after we're back on 29 we're at 8 miles. What?!?! That's awesome. What's even better is that a fellow MRTT'er caught up with me and she and I were able to catch up.
We ran the next few miles together until she left me around mile 12. It was so great to see her, and it is a little amusing that we had such a good conversation in the middle of a race. All of the talking on the phone with my sister and my mom really paid off during training. :)
So now that I'm back on University I was looking forward to seeing the school bands and they really did bolster me. Then seeing the 12:45 pacer come up from behind me and pace me for a bit really helped kick my butt into a slightly higher gear. Not too much, I was still a mile from being done, and by this point, my heel was complaining, a little, and I was just generally tired. I know to hold back, because not a sprinter. So I pace the 12:45 for a bit, and we do-si-do a bit.
As we turn back up the road towards Jiffy Lube, I'm really starting to get warm. The sun was finally up, and the chill was leaving. My gloves didn't feel so nice now, but I knew my family was going to be there waiting for me, so I kept my eyeballs peeled. I finally saw them under a tree, playing happily. I think I smiled, I don't really remember, but I do remember giving them all high fives and speaking. I don't remember what I said, but the next thing I knew was my Small Fry coming up behind me running his little butt off. I think I challenged him to a race, and don't you know that little boy ate up the 100 or so feet between us. I couldn't let that stand! So I kicked it up a notch. Well, I kicked it up a lot, and it's all his fault. I hit 6:58 m:m for the last bit of the race. I was going to throw up. I ran 13 miles and then some and then decided that I wasn't going to disappoint my boy, so I raced him. It was the best, most proudest moment of the race for me.
After walking back down the chute, getting a banana, a granola something, water, and a vitamin drink, my crew met me at the entrance to the after race festival. Where I promptly gave my granola to Small Fry, the rest of my uneaten banana and water to Baby Girl, and my food tickets to the Big Guy. Luckily, someone who wasn't going to use their food and drink tickets gave us theirs so I was also able to get a smoothie, that I didn't like, and a beer for the hubs. Everyone wins until I wanted to snap a picture. Small Fry took exception to it.
He did come around though and was delighted when we celebrated with Duck Donuts.
I was pretty happy with Duck Donuts too. I was also pretty happy with my 2:44:36 finish time. I beat the 2:45 time!
So there's the recap, the race is awesome, the organizers are the best, and you really need to add this race to the roster. Thanks so much for reading!
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