i didn't hear the rocky song, but...

I made it. I ran the whole way, without stopping. I even made it in under the time I wanted. I’d hoped to beat 2.5 hours. My time was 2hr18min! (I originally told everyone 2hr14min, but that was my “clock time”, not my “run time”.)


The whole experience was pretty great. From the 5:15am wake-up time, to the cheering crowds, to the muscle cramps and blisters.

We arrived around 6:15am and parked a good 15 blocks, or more, away from the race day festivities. The walk there was a good warm up. The walk back was horribly painful. Finding a bathroom proved slightly difficult, until I found my friend Christi and hopped in the girls’ line. No worries though; girls were in the guys’ line, so it was totally cool.

After walking out of a pink port-a-potty in front of a line of 20ish women, I headed to the starting line with Christi. The noiseless fireworks went off, and so did Christi. I was on my own for the next 13.1 miles. But it was great.

The hills were painful, but they made it possible to get a great view of the boiling dance party that was a few thousand people running in front of me. This sight was a little demoralizing, until I turned around and saw the same behind me. It was crazy being in the middle of that large of a mass of people. It was also crazy using that many “of”s in that sentence.

The cheering fans were encouraging, and the fellow runners were too. A big run is a great community event, and if done right they can bring a lot of tourists to the city. Great idea for anyone to be a part of, city or person. Blisters and cramps came on in full force. By the end, the last stretch where you’re supposed to be sprinting, spurred on by the finish-line crowds, I was hobbling in on legs that felt nothing but pain from the knee down.

Still, I finished. And so did many others. I would suggest everyone take part in a half-marathon. You’ll love it.