13.1 numero uno: Wisconsin Half Marathon
Today was the big day… Steven and I ran the Wisconsin Half Marathon! I am still waiting to get our official time. I think it was 1:57:45 or something like that. Update: Official time is 1:57:47.
It was a beautiful, perfect day for a half marathon! Clear blue skies, weather starting in the low 40s and moving into the mid 50s – we couldn’t have asked for better weather!
The beautiful scenery! We got to run along Lake Michigan for much of the race!
The calm before the storm (Check out all those tissues! I didn’t use one!). I am happy I wore green – it was very easy for people to find me!
In the beginning, we looped right past the start and I yelled to my dad (as a joke), “I’m tired!” He yelled back, “Quit your whining!” Ha ha. (Click to enlarge – see me waving in the green?)
The race went really well. I felt great most of the time, despite spending half of it feeling like I had to go poo. I finally succumbed and went at mile 10. Talk about a load off! It took me a full mile and a half to catch up with Steven, which was kind of a bummer since it was so close to the end of the race and I wanted to run with him.
Ever wonder what Steven is thinking when he has to run alone?
I had just handed my hydration belt off to my mom before this photo – I am so happy my parents were there!
The Jelly Bellies worked really well for me! I ate 25 of them around mile 6 and they tasted great and maybe gave me a little boost? I am not sure. I would definitely use something with electrolytes in it for a full, but they worked fine for me for this half.
Steven got really dehydrated in the last couple of miles, and I felt so awful there was nothing I could do for him. We still finished strong, together!
Crossing the finish line!
Still nipping out after 13.1 miles! Check out the cheese medal!
My mom made this fun sign for us. When she got here last night I asked if she made me a sign. She said, “I didn’t know people did that!” So I happily supplied her with paper and markers. Yeah. I’m kind of lame.
Me and los padres (doesn’t that background look like something bobbiandmike would like?).
My legs immediately felt sore and tired after the race. I quickly changed out of my race clothes and into my “frump” outfit to walk back to the finish line to watch other runners and check out the booths. And dance on the rocks.
They were planning polka music at the finish line so my mom and I had to do some dancing.
We saw my coworker finish her half, and well as Susan BOSTON QUALIFY! You rock Susan! I am so impressed!
Go Susan Go!
This race left me totally pumped. I was really energetic throughout it, talking to the spectators, making jokes… I definitely see a full marathon in my future!
Themocracy
It was so exciting to see you!! Sorry I didn’t come see you at the end, I got through the chute and stood there for a little while, and then I couldn’t find you! (Or I’m just dumb…slash in a post-marathon haze.) I love the sign your mom made! I actually saw it at one point on the course (I didn’t know it was for you!) and it has the same colors of the sign that my parents had, so I almost thought it was them! How funny.
Great race!! It looks like you had fun and ran a great time too!! I’m so excited that you’re considering a marathon! Although not too many marathons will beat the cheese medal…
Congratulations!!! You guys look great! Loved all of the photos. Especially loved the sign mom made(I’m a JD brat). Glad your mom and dad were there to cheer you on. 😀
Susan – I was so excited to see you too – twice! 🙂 It’s okay you didn’t find me. We needed to get back home. Maybe we can get together some other time, before you move back east…? And you are right – nothing beats that cheese medal!
Denise – Thanks! I loved Mom’s sign too. She is so creative! It was (is) so great to have them here!
Congratulations!
We were in Wisconsin today too. We went to the Jelly Belly factory and I thought of you and your jelly beans! I looked for a large package of sport beans for you but all they has was the tiny ones.
tori – Hee hee! Did you have fun there? We were just talking about that! Thanks for thinking of me. 🙂 We liked using the regular ones today!
Great job!! So proud of you both! 🙂 I just wish we could have been there to cheer you on too. 🙁
AND you totally inspired me and E.–we took a run together this evening, and as he put it, I didn’t even have a hissy fit afterwards. Hee hee.
Congrats! What fun to read about–loved the sign your mom made! What a great day for you. =)
Sounds/look like a great race. Congratulations!
That’s really awesome that you two ran it together…and that you got to see Susan’s BQ!
You, my bloggy friend, rock!
Congratulations! You ROCK!
That is awesome! Great job. And I can’t believe you said “nipping” on your blog. Too funny.
BTW, I hit 2.5 miles yesterday. WooT!
That’s awesome! YAY!
I love the photo where you put the poo thought bubble over Steven’s head. HA HA!
Very exciting!
Way to go! How are you feeling today?
Way to go!
Congrats!!! You looked incredible out there (and yeah, the green was a great choice.) I always have some sort of potty issue come race day — sweet that your mom comes out to join you.
Hope you got a bit spoiled afterwards.
Wow, that’s amazing. I don’t know how you people do it. I wish I were in that kind of shape.
Damn the need to poo! Great job on the half though!! Lake Michigan looks like an awesome visual distraction. 🙂
diane – I am so happy you took a run together! It was a perfect day! Today is too. I am tempted to run, but am letting my body have a break 😉 I thought of you yesterday! There was a trolley that went from the race start to Metra, and I was thinking “Diane could have run that!” 😉
Jo – Thank you! 🙂 I was so excited my mom made that sign. I am going to hang it up! Hee hee.
Mica – I still feel awesome about the whole day! Thanks! And I was super excited to see Susan finish. She looked awesome crossing the finish line. She was kicking ass!
Hotch Potchery – Thanks 🙂
Robin – Thank you thank you! 🙂
kapgar – That is so awesome Kevin! See how easy it is to build up mileage when you take it nice and slow? For me, nipping is a big deal. Ha ha. Unfortunately. 🙁
sizzle – Hee hee! I am so happy someone found humor in that! I thought I was pretty funny.
Christina – Thanks! I feel good today. My body was feeling pretty crunchy yesterday though. Ha ha. I think it will take my body a few days to recover.
claire – Thank you!
Nat – Thank you 🙂 I definitely spoiled myself. Lunch at El Famous and dinner at Sweet Tomatoes. I was totally pigging out. And a bit today. I think I am eating enough for everyone who ran. Ha ha ha!
Stacey – Thank you. You can do it! It only takes 16 weeks to train 😉
Jen – I know! DAMMIT! But it was a quick 30 second poo. Ha ha. And I LOVED running next to the beautiful lake!
Yay! I’m impressed you had enough energy to polka dance afterwards 🙂
This sounds like a nice race. Was it the inaugural one? If so, it looks really well organized. Love your finish line photo!
Congratulations! You guys both look great too. I’m so jealous. 🙂
Erin – It was the inaugural! I thought it was very well organized. We knew where to go, we knew were to start, and where to find the food and drinks after the race. I hope we can do it every year. That would be fun!
Seals – Thanks 😉
You look so happy in all your pictures, I know you were on cloud nine and I’m so happy it went well. I do have to ask, since I’m a weirdo – do you have to stop and “go” in Porta’s, or were there businesses with nicer outlets?? I don’t know if I could actually do twosies in a porta – I’m a real freak like that. 🙂
I’m so happy for you! Your time was good, too!!
KIm,
Congratulations to you and Steven both on your wonderful accomplishment. I don’t think you could have asked for better weather for the run. Your photos look like you guys had fun and how nice to have the support of family while you were there as well.
P.S. Awesome finish time!
YAY for you and Steven!!! that is so awesome!!! i am so proud of you two- you just rock!!!! i imagine it was pretty cool having your parents there for your first half marathon!!! that was sweet of your momma to make a sign!!!! Congratulations on finishing your first half marathon!!!!
=^..^=
Congrats on your first half, and a great finish time too!
THAT’S AMAZING! What an excellent race time, too! I am really proud and excited for you and Steven! You looked so pumped at the end of the race! What a really huge accomplishment for you both!
that is so fantastic!!! MAJOR congratulations! i am so so so impressed!!!
beth – Hee hee. There were porta potties, which I used before AND after the race, but the poo during the race was in a public facility at a park. It did not have a toilet seat so I squatted, dropped it, wiped and kept running! Hee hee!
Tony – Thank you! I hope you have just as perfect weather for Madison!!!
CourtneyInControl – Thank you 😀 I do love having my parents in town for my races! They are awesome cheerleaders!
Amanda – Thanks!
Gina (Mannyed) – Thank you! I am still feeling pretty pumped, and am excited to get back outside and run some more tonight! Or go to sleep when I get home. You know. Whichever I feel like 😉
Alice – Thank you! 😀
WOW!!!!! You did a great job, Kim! You look so happy and content– congratulations!
Bethany – Thank you! 😀
Congrats, Kim! This is so awesome. What an amazing time, too. I’m impressed! My friend who ran the Mini this weekend in Indy ate the jelly beans, too (her friend brought them along) … seemed to work well for her, too. I might have to try them out now that I’m going to start training for the Rock N Roll half here in Chicago in August!
awesome job!!! congrats on a great race 🙂 love all the pics too!!!
SoMi’s Nilsa – Thanks! I do recommend the beans. Try the regular ones on a short run to see if they work for you… because these seriously worked for me on the 13.1 and they didn’t have all the extra stuff. Maybe that was a bad idea though…?
aron – Thanks! 😀
Wahoo Chicky!! Way to go (so sorry I’m late getting my congratulations in – May has been a write off as far as blogging’s been concerned…)
You rock!
suze – Thanks! I cannot wait to hear about your half this fall!