Celebrating Double Nickels with a Half Marathon

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What does a runner do on her double nickel birthday when it falls on a Sunday and there is a local half marathon nearby?  Run of course.

Check out this Cute Shirt and Medal!  

As I get older I realize more and more that running is all about a journey!  So turning 55 is really not all that bad.  After all, it’s just a number right.

That’s me, still smiling, approaching the finish

I ran this race completely by feel which made it even more fun!  The miles just seemed to fly by.  With only about two miles to go I asked a fellow runner who had been with me for most of the way, “Do you know what pace we are running?”  She replied “around an 8:25 average”.   Hmmm…not bad for an old lady.  But wait, age is just a number right.

Almost immediately after our conversation at about mile 11, I felt my first cramp in my calf.  I did my best to push on just fast enough to avoid more cramps. It was kind of a bummer, but I didn’t let it ruin my fun.

The big DIP at mile 11 is when I had to slow way to stretch my calf. I did my best to hand in there till the end by slowing my pace slightly. I still had fun and I definitely will pay more attention to hydration leading up to my run.  The other smaller dips, hills!

I am not sure if it was the hills, hydration or something else that caused my cramping, but like any other runner, I started to analyze.

I was in meetings all day both Friday & Saturday and the water was terrible.  Unfortunately I didn’t bring more H2O with me!  Stupid mistake I know.  Maybe I didn’t drink enough of my electrolyte drink? More Magnesium?  That’s it.  Good grief…why do runners do this?

But the good news is, I felt awesome and I still managed to finish in 7th with a 1:55 at the age of 55.  Not even close to a PR since a few years ago I ran the same course in a 1:49 placing 6th in the 50-54 age group.  Yeah for consistency!

Oh well…the important thing is, I had fun just running by feel without a watch.  I set all rules aside and didn’t look at my heart rate or pace and just ran.  One of the funnest races ever!

7th out of 44 runners in my age group. Not bad considering the hills and my cramp!

So over all I am pleased and it was a GREAT day!  I celebrated by stopping at one of my favorite new Cafes, Rose Street Patisserie.  I love a good brunch after any race and this one didn’t let me down.  Asparagus quiche, scone and an amazing up of fresh roasted coffee.  HEAVEN!

I love to run and so running on my birthday for another one of these fun medals, a yummy brunch, and than shopping at one of my favorite stores, Athleta, spells Happy Birthday to ME!

Love this Medal!


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