B-Day!

Hamming it up pre-race.

The day we all were planning for finally arrived--my birthday!  Not just because it was my day, the day we celebrate me, just me! (Hee hee).  It was half-marathon day.  This was the reason that we spent countless Sundays running mile after mile. Team Birthday Girl and Besties were trained, rested and ready.  This race provided many of us with firsts or lasts.

Finishing Strong!

• It was Cindy's first half-marathon ever.  She did smashing!  
• It was Emily's last half-marathon with her high schooler who starts college on Thursday.  
• It was Buzzy's first and probably last half that she runs with almost no training.  
• It may have been Peter and Teresa's last race that I con them into running with me.  (Thanks guys!  You are troopers!)  
• It was Stuey's first race as part of his endurance training plan.  (A side note: Stuey rocks.  He ran 15 miles the day before our race and an additional 6 after our race!) 
• It was Elaine's first race where she trained predominately by herself and did her own thing!  She is a runner whether she likes it or not. So proud!
• It was my first half-marathon after I became a mommy. And it was the first time that I ran on my actual birthday as well! 

Team Birthday Girl & Besties

I think we were all in a little pain by the time the race was over.  My toe hurt at the very beginning of the race.  My hip flexors were super tight by mile 7. Peter and Teresa had the same issue with their hip flexors.  Elaine and Buzzers had blisters by the race's end.  Cindy got tricked by that darn pink sign only to have 2 miles left.  Emmie nearly stripped out of her shirt. That girl is always hot! I have the best friends a girl good ask for.  Why else would they get up at 5 am to run 13.1 miles with me!  A special note goes to Elaine who convinced a bunch of strangers to sing Happy Birthday to me as I crossed the finish line!  So glad I changed seats in Torts 15 years ago!

I am also thankful for Eminem Lose Yourself and MJ's PYT which kept me going in mile 10! And let's not forget Rick Ross in mile 12!  This is a little goofy but still true. 

We all went to brunch at Champps afterward to celebrate.  The pain went away quickly because we are already planning our next race! Life is good!