Half Marathon No. 6

This is my second time to run this particular race. I decided last minute to run it--6 weeks before the race--because I knew signing up for this would force me to be at the halfway point for a full marathon which a close friend convinced me to run with her. All the races I run are pretty flat, but this course is very hilly. I don't have hills around me to train on so both times I have gone into this race hoping for the best. 2 years ago when I ran it, I averaged 8:45 miles. This time I finished in 1:53:11 averaging 8:39 miles. Last time, I don't remember the hills bothering me too much except for one near the very end that was so steep and lengthy that I walked the last 1/3 of it. This time I was so annoyed with each and every hill...I like my flat ground! I started counting the hills, but after I ran up hill #5, it got too depressing. The course is a double loop of 6.55 miles so I knew that each hill I counted was really double. To sum it up, I didn't enjoy the run and won't be doing this one again! I was hoping to average 8:30 miles which I felt like I could have done except for all the hills.

At the start of the race. I'm waving to my family near the back of the picture.

The first of many, many hills. This one and another one near the end were the most brutal.

The boys cheering me on. It was 56 degrees during the run with a breeze which was a little chilly for the boys, but it felt good running!

Halfway point. I'm always SO grateful to see my family on the sidelines. I was not enjoying the run and seeing them put a smile on my face. Note to self: should have stuck with my original plan to wear a short-sleeve shirt. I appreciated the long sleeves prior to the race and maybe for the first 4 miles.

Fastest mile: mile 2 at 7:55. Slowest mile: mile 11 at 8:58 (second time up one of the brutal hills).
I was very grateful that I didn't have to stop during this race at all to use the bathroom which is a very unfortunate issue I have as a runner.