We did it!!!!!!!!!!!
Things went really well over the weekend. The course was absolutely amazing & gorgeous! 10 miles followed a canyon with the Colorado River on one side and enormous sheer red sandstone cliffs on the other.
I went into the race with few expectations-- I mean, really, I would have been thrilled just to go under 2:30 with all the ITB issues and everything that I've been dealing with lately. But I was able to hold a pretty good pace, stopping to stretch a few times (5?) and walking portions of the particularly nasty uphills. I think I did a pretty good job of balancing pushing things and listening to my body & respecting limitations. I ended up at 2:17, which was waaaaaaaay better than I thought I would go-- particularly with the hills. DH started out trying to break 2, but the hills got him and he kind of bonked at the end, coming in at 2:11. My good friend from Chicago had some difficulty with the altitude (& consequentally her asthma) and came in at 2:23.
Crossing that finish line was one of the most satisfying experiences of my life-- I think in part due to some of the obstacles that I had to keep working around. It made it almost sweeter, you know?
After the race we went to Canyonlands National Park... we did a little hike to Mesa Arch (yeah... because a half marathon wasn't enough punishment for one day???
) and enjoyed some time in Moab. Man, I love it there. So pretty.
Anyway, we got back y'day, and just crashed hard. I am doing pretty good today-- some soreness in the quads, but the ITB is actually hanging in there pretty well. I think once my quads have recovered that will help too.
I will PM you guys with the link to my pix from the trip-- what's posted so far, anyway.
Hope all is well with everyone... I will BBL for personals. The kids aren't feeling well, so I'm playing Dr. Mom today.
Thanks so much everyone, for all of your support through all of this... I seriously couldn't have done it without you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!