Super Saturday Air Force Half Marathon

Gorgeous weather, fantastic friends, amazingly beautiful course, and great cause = fantastic Saturday half marathon. My marathon training actually had me run 16 miles, so I added a few miles at the end of the course (keep reading).  Usually I do a mile by mile recap, but this race wasn't like any others, for several reasons (again, keep reading). 

First, I ran without headphones. This allowed me to stay in touch with my surroundings and chat with other people. I pushed myself to keep a pace between 8:30 and 9:30. It was a peaceful and well supported course.  At mile 9, I met a gal (Jennifer) who needed help finishing. She was running her first half marathon. Her motivation was a crappy ex boyfriend who told her she couldn't do it. This year alone, she ran her first 4 miler, hiked Mt Kilamajaro, and was running her first half. She's also training for the Marine Corp Marathon (MCM).  I told her the ex was wrong and good guys exist that will support every dream she has (aka my awesome hubby). She is definitely strong & determined, which meant she had to run the last 5 miles like a strong & determined woman. We sprinted together to the finish line & high fived each other. I really hope to see Jennifer at the MCM. 

Next, I turned around and headed back for Amanda & Charlie. I've had the honor of being friends with Amanda for the last 13+ years. It was her hubby, Charlie's, first half marathon. They were both nervous at the start. I wanted to make sure they were okay too. I ran backwards on the course, for what seemed like eternity. My legs really hurt, but I kept looking at the faces of the other runners and cheering them on. I knew they were exhausted and just wanted to finish. I kept running the wrong direction looking for a familiar face. I found one, Keyona. 

I just met Keyona a few hours prior. She was a friend of Amanda's, which makes her a friend of mine. Keyona was really hurting and struggling. She looked at me, dead tired, and said "does your phone have batteries?"  I said, "yes, who do you want to call?"  She told me she wanted to call her husband. I said, "I will give you my phone the second we cross that finish line and you can tell your hubby you finished strong!"  She smiled and kept pushing.  I kept talking to her and giving her words on encouragement. We ran across the finish line together & strong. She barely caught her breath and  I gave her my phone.  Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as she told her husband, "I finished!"  No sooner, I turned around and saw Amanda & Charlie crossing the finish line, strong, together and with smiles...success!  

Finally, I was struck with worry.  Where was Angie?  Charlie immediately told me, "your friend got hurt and pulled away by the medics at mile 8!"  OMG....worry turned into sadness. I instantly called Angie. She answered and was running her last mile.  I ran backwards again and found her. She was still going strong, determined to race, with her knee bandaged like crazy. Her boyfriend, Scott, was by her side. I'm not sure what made me happier...that Angie was okay and still determined to finish or that Angie was okay and had a great man by her side.  Probably a little of both. I almost cried crossing the finish line...for the 4th time with friends, love & support!  My time was 2:02:14...a personal record...but more importantly, a memorable event and reminder of the power we have with love & support!