Mini Marathon Recap

After the expo, we had a late dinner much too late dinner. I think i finally got to sleep around 11 pm and had a 4:30 wake up call coming. Since Ellen lives in Indianapolis, lots of her work friends had experienced the crowds of downtown on mini-marathon day. They suggested we get to a parking lot around 5:30 am so we didn’t have to fight the crowds.

Morning came quickly and my 5ish hours of sleep were very crappy.

I smiled at the nice lady at the front desk and she got the toaster out for me early. Ellen was bringing and peanut butter and jelly Ellen promptly arrived at the hotel at 5 am. We made the trip downtown and we fought zero crowds. Yes, you can sense a slight bitter tone in that last sentence. We were so early that we were able to have a whole pinning ceremony in the parking garage. Haha.

Finally it was getting close to 6 o’clock to meet Jennie and 6:30 to meet Sam and Sandy. We used the port-a-potties and took pictures of our cute mommy.

Then before we knew it, Ellen and Jennie were getting in their corral for the 5k that started at 7 before the mini.

Then dad and mom left to get Sandy settled in the walkers corral with my step-mom Camille, and Sam and I nestled in his O corral. I was originally in corral E with preferred seeding, but wanted to run as much as I could with Sam.

A bunch of beach balls were released into the corrals to provide some pre-race entertainment. And then, before we knew it, the National Anthem was being sung and fireworks were signaling the start of the race!

It was a tight squeeze with 40,000 people, but eventually we made it over the start line in about 17 minutes!

Sam and I stuck together for about 4 miles until I gave him the go ahead to run along. We were definitely running at a speedy pace because around the first estimated time, (maybe around 7 or 8 miles?) I was estimated to finish in 2:04. Whoa whoa, too fast. I probably gave John a heart attack when he read the tracking text.

Before I knew it we were approaching the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so I decided to get the camera out.

Then we entered…

And God bless all the cheerleaders that were surrounding the track, because the Motor Speedway was cool but b-o-r-i-n-g.

My feet really started to ache on the speedway. I think the pavement on the speedway is much harder than regular pavement on the road and my feet could really tell. I was so thankful when that 2.5 mile loop was finished. I put the camera away on the speedway and didn’t get it back out until I was on the home stretch.

The “victory mile” was pretty cool because the last mile was lined with checkered finish flags that the Indianapolis 500 would use. The only tormenting part? We had signs counting down every last .25 mile. Hahah oh my… when I saw each sign my heart was filled with such mixed emotions! I was almost done but I still had more to go! During this point, a nice lady to take my picture — so fun. Oh, did I mention my last 1.5 miles was in the rain?

Here I come!! I was able to spot them easily because of the sign* you saw previously.

  

I finished in 2:18:45. Not my best half marathon, but not my worst.

I followed the very organized procession of getting water -> receiving medal -> getting back for food -> obtaining food -> taking professional photo -> enter post race party.

I went to the family reunion center but then couldn’t find Sam or my family, so I went to the VIP tent (invited by Chevy) and found everyone! My mom and I then went to look for Sam. We found him in the family reunion center but under O!! Apparently, he was thinking by corral, when I was thinking by last name. Haha. Anyway, Sam ended up finishing in 2:09!! He even stopped to pee. How cool is he? This was his first half too! Way to go Sam!

Ellen and Jennie also had successful 5k times for their first race. Jennie was 30:03 and Ellen was 34 ish.

Then we waited for Camille and her friend to finish…

Camille and her friend finished walking in 3:23 and Sandy had gone ahead and finished walking in 3:13. So how we didn’t see her cross, but we met up soon enough!

I’m so so proud of everyone and can’t wait to do another race with so many friends.

LOVE YOU GUYS!! Congrats Ellen, Jennie, Camille, Maria, Sam and Sandy. Thank you for being the best fans mom and dad!!!!

*My sign was provided by build-a-sign.com. A full post just about the sign and it’s awesomeness is forthcoming. For now, if you’d like to order your own racing sign, click on the yard sign in the left column of my blog.