First Race a Success!

I have to admit that I am very excited with our half marathon in Alpharetta this morning. Being my first race EVER I had no idea what to expect. When I went to pick up my race packet around 5:45 a.m. the girl who handed it to me said "you look nervous as hell!" She had no idea. I couldn't sleep the night before, getting up around midnight and piddling around the house until race time. My stomach was doing cartwheels!
For the record, David Jones ROCKS! He is a great teammate!
Once I got settled in at the starting line, I felt really good. It was very cool- I think this running thing is more like a cult.
Unfortunately it took almost 15 minutes to break out of the pack and get into my own comfortable pace- there we so many people in such a confined area. David had an ambitious goal of finishing within two hours. My goal was simply to finish without paramedics getting involved. With the exception of stopping to re-tie my shoe, and two 5-second stops for Gatorade, I finished the race without having to stop and walk.
Incredible! (If someone knows the trick to running and drinking out of a cup at the same time, I could use help.) The last two miles for me were incredibly tough. Where David was pushing it, I was just pacing myself, remembering to not go all out for fear of injury. My thighs were so tight I could feel every step amplified. As I was crossing the finish line around 1:53 and change, it was an incredible personal experience. I sat down on the pavement aftwerwards and looked up to see Jonesy right there- great job David!
The finish area had food galore, and while David went for the Krispy Kreme I headed for the Starbuck's and grapes. I ate more carbs today than I had all of last week.
I finished in the 189th spot with David right behind me in the 195th spot. 690 finsihers total. 13 miles pacing at 8:41 per mile. Holy cow! Bring on HTC Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!