13(.1) Fun Facts: 2010 Parks Half Marathon
I put the monster calves to work last Sunday as I ran my second Parks Half Marathon. Thanks to my friends Yvette and Rob, I finished strong. We paced each other and commiserated during the difficult run. Rather than bore you with a narrative…
- The Parks Half Marathon celebrated its 5th birthday this year! The vast majority of the course travels through preserved parkland along the Rock Creek Stream Valley.
- Running in the rain rocks.
- Running “The Silencer” does not rock (The Silencer is a nasty hill – most people only grunt or groan while they run it. Or cry for their mommy).
- Avoiding puddles slows you down – better to just run through ‘em.
- Being in a Port-a-Potty when it is still pitch-black outside is even more terrifying than using them in general *shudders*
- Saying “thank you” to the volunteers and cheering spectators makes you run faster.
- Smiling through the pain and fatigue really does trick your body into thinking it’s not about to collapse.
- Poor Yvette witnessed my evil twin emerge as someone yelled “You’re almost there!!” around Mile 6 or 7.
- This year’s finish festival was kind of whack compared to last year’s. The line for food was redic!
- Flying past people during the home stretch feels great.
- We had to take Metro back to our cars after the race. The train full of tired and sweaty runners produced some interesting sights and smells.
- Yvette, Rob, and I finished the race in 2:12. Not bad for some amateurs.
- I think 13.1 is my new favorite distance. 26.2 can kiss my bumper.
Susan
