I rocked 13.1 in DC!

Last weekend, I ran my 5th half marathon.  This time, it was for a charity, Organization for Autism Research, and was in Washington, DC.

In my Mommy-head, I thought, "What a great idea!  I'll get to run a race, for a great cause, and take my family to DC to see the sites!"  It would be perfect right?  (cue scene in my head of all four of us holding hands, skipping down the Mall, and smiling, while looking at the Washington Monument, Smithsonian, etc. . .)  Reality?  A cranky sick husband, two whiny children, who apparently can't walk five feet without complaining about something, and a tired Mama.
Well, at least they saw the Washington Monument. . .

Saturday - Race morning - started way too early for me.  Due to nerves, I was up around 4am, and unable to go back to sleep, decided to just get up and head to the race.  Having navigated DC the previous day, I comfortably go to the start of the race on Constitution Ave at the ridiculous hour of 5:20am. . .2+ hours before the official start of the race, and almost 3 hours until I would actually get to cross the Start Line!

Around 6:45am, the masses started to arrive, and I do mean masses. . .There were 30,000 people registered to run this race.  I was in Corral 25, which was the 10:30 pace group.  Due to the craziness of the actual starting groups, I ended up starting with Corral 24, which was fine. 

Once the race began, it was wonderful!  I found my groove quickly, and enjoyed the positive charge of the atmosphere.  I really liked running in a new place, and getting to see all the sites.  The course was terrific, as was the crowd support. 

Around mile 6, I hit the HUGE uphill.  I walked for a minute to take a GU, and then proceeded up the hill.  My favorite sign by a spectator was at this point, "You can't quit, You're not the Pope."  That gave me a good laugh, and some motivation to push up the hill.

At Mile 9, there was a volunteer support group that was wearing green from head to toe (it was St. Patty's weekend), and busting out some serious old school move to Whoomp, There It Is! and Ice, Ice Baby.

Mile 11 was so close to the finish, I got my second wind, and mentally pushed myself to keep pace.  There were some great bands at the final points along the course - it was, after all, the Rock N Roll marathon!

I finished with a PR of 2 minutes, and then instead of being able to relax, and celebrate, it took over ten minutes to get pushed through the finish line route with the rest of the runners - like cattle being herded.  There were tables set up on the perimeter of the finish line with refreshments and more swag, and everyone wanted it grab it all (hey, free stuff!), so it was extremely jammed up and slow moving.

Still, it felt great to be done.  It was wonderful to have run for a charity - I truly thought of each and every person who helped to support me on this journey, and felt buoyed by their encouragement. 

No rest for the weary though. . .

With a terribly sick husband back at the hotel, I felt like I needed to get back, and relieve him of our loud, energetic bundles of joy. 

Once showered and clean - I got the kids (and the sick hubby), and we headed out to explore DC yet again. . .This time, with more realistic Mommy-goals.  (cue scene of us quickly getting to point A, in this case Air & Space Museum.  Enjoying said Museum, and then returning back to hotel).

The highlight of this trip?  I definitely loved this race.  For all my issues with the start and finish, I think it's inevitable in a race this size. 

The highlight for my kids?  Enjoying TV channels in the hotel that they don't get at home, and the indoor heated pool.

Ahhhh, vacation money well spent. . .

Race Notes:
For this race I wore my CWX Compression capris.
I also purchased at the Expo and wore Zensah Compression socks (I highly recommend).
Kinvara 3s, again (love Saucony!!!).
Also, for this race, I purchsed a SPiIBelt, as I did not want to deal with Gear Check, and it was wonderful - it held everything, and was very comfortable.