"The Race" [that wasn't one - IMS AZ Marathon] - Wiz Khalifa

Soooooooooooo
my
"it"
race . . . .

Ya, it wasn't "it".

[Thanks Albert]

Which was good & bad.

The good part is . . .

I didn't find out at mile 16, 20 or 22 it wasn't my race.
 . . . I knew, 3 weeks prior, it wasn't going to be MY race.

and

I knew I'd get to meet the one and only Miss Zippy.  Her blog was one of the very first running blogs I ever followed . . . best. find. EVER.

and

That I'd get Racing Dawn here to stay with me for four days [which should have been 5 but whatever] ;)

The Bad . . .

Well, mostly that I was not, even remotely, feeling close to 100%

and

that I want this freaking "BQ like a man" thing pretty freaking bad.  I know I was "there" in my training in October/November [insert a huge . . . . uggggg]

And oh this other little thing . . . . .

that I'm slightly FREAKING competitive [with myself].

Anddddddddddddddd

just so I didn't wake up race day morning and TRY to race it . . . .

I. did. this.

What?
Most normal people destroy the backing off their race bib, right?!

So here we are race morning:

Normal:

And not quite as normal:

We did bump in to SR, staying warm in Basha's [smart girl].  Who kinda killed this course.  Congrats SR!

The weather was fabulous.  Like the most perfect of all perfects.

Some mid run photos:

Ya, thanks for this one Dawn. :/

After Dawn got her SUGAAA:

Shoulda been Twizzlers, just sayin'.

Here's the finish shot [thanks MOM!]

All. Smiles.

After the "after shot":

Not going to lie. . . . I teared up two times out on the course {anger/sadness} that this day wasn't my new PR day.  [kinda doesn't help when you've told other runners (that you get to know from other races) that this was going to be THE DAY.]

But this was what was best for this day.

I am beyond grateful to have a best friend by my side for the whole ride.

And parents who will always be there racing or not.  Always there to support me.

a l w a y s.

So while I'm not super sure "what's next" for me.

I do know . . .

1.  This was one awesome weekend
2.  I love this race/course
3.  I will still get my 3:0x
4.  I am one blessed woman
5.   ............ And this Ragnar with My Cholla Chicks this weekend, will be one big huge tutu, hairy man, pickle juice drinking . . . party!

"So The Story Goes" - Erasure

I.
Loved.
This.
Race.

IMS Arizona Marathon.

Wait . . . you've never heard of it?!

Ok, so it's only in it's third year but from now on..........every February........

you
will
find
me
there.

The expo:

* small
* well staffed [maybe too well] ;)
* VERY well organized [other than making you exit out the exit door........It was raining and the exit was not close to where we parked].
* decent shirt - I have yet to actually use a shirt from a race but It was nice.

Race Day:

* again well organized.
* heated buses
* great warm areas to wait until race start
* water/aid stations - amazing.
* tons of volunteers

Now the good freaking fabulous part . . . .

Other than the marathon with my sister two weeks ago, I have never felt so calm and relaxed going into a race.  I didn't eat my "usual" breakfast.  I forgot my gloves.  [used a pair of the Pita's socks] I forgot my bag tag.  I forgot my water.

and
I
didn't
care.

This was a "training" run.  It. was . all. good.

Got to the start line.  Begged the bag guy to take my jacket and if I didn't find him after - - - no biggie.  He did.  So. freaking. nice.

A few people came up to me from December's Tucson marathon.  When you are wearing polka dot arm warmers [thanks Angie B!] I guess you kinda stick out.  weird.  I also ran into my neighbors who were running the relay.  good. times.

Weather:  cloudy & sprinkling but not freezing [YAY!]

And
we
are
off.

After the third mile.  I.  called.  this.  race.  awesome.

My legs - felt amazing
My head - clear
My form - dare I say [until the photos come out] better.
My breathing - easy to steady

I wanted to push harder but I was mile 6.  Splits had been between 7:11 - 7:24.
Save it Emz.  Save it for 20. 

From 6-8 the rain & wind became much more steady but not heavy.

Not too eventful from 8-11.  Just nice and steady.

Mile 11 rain. heavy.  completely soaked.

And
guess
what?

iPod down.  Yep, again.  This time due to rain [water in the plug in(earphones)].  holy. freaking. suck.

Mentally, I thought, "no, not another race like Utah".  Followed immediately by, "Kate ran without an iPod her whole freaking marathon.  I've.  freaking. got. this."

Mile 14 - rain stopped.
Mile 15 - rain again.

Mile 17 to 18.  My worst mile on the books. [7:49]

Mile 18 ditched the Pita's socks I had worn as gloves.  Those freaking things could have been up to my ears. 

Size 15   =  [well some.............] ........ some freaking big socks.

These photos are going to rock.

I decided right then [at 18th "lap" alert from my Garmin].  That I was not going to have another mile come in over 7:45.

Got a burst of needed energy at 19.  YAY!

Mile 19 - 7:32
Mile 20 - 7:34
Mile 21 - 7:37
Mile 22 - 7:42
Mile 23 - 7:42
Mile 24 - 7:41

then . . . .
the heaviest rain & W I N D hit. 

Thank goodness the wind was from the side.

Mile 25 - 7:40
Mile 26 - 7:41

HAPPY
FREAKING
EMZ

New
PR.

3:18:53