A recap……darn long post for my own record! 
My friend asked me if I would like to join her for a half marathon. I was very skeptical since the last I run as a hobby was in 2006. Even after she signed me up I was kinda worried if I can actually make it or be the “loser”.
My friend picked up the runner’s packet for me on Friday. The packet consisted of a shirt, cap, bib, and tracker clip. The tracker is to track the runner’s time. We have to slip the tracker in between the shoe lace.
The day came which was Sunday, June 5. I woke up my normal time (4:15), walked the dogs and then went to her place. The race starts at 7a m. Half way to her place I remembered I forgot my knee braces. I just hope I be fine without it. We wanted to the the light rail train but was told there won’t be a train till noon from a fellow runner (we were wearing the same shirt, cap and he has the bib on). We drove to the The Depot in Minneapolis, found a parking spot 2 blocks away. We ran and got there about 8 minutes before race starts. Dropped off our stuff, got in line and managed to take some pics.
It was my first and surprised I wasn’t nervous. My friend told me if I went ahead of her, it’s ok, she will catch up or meet at the finishing line. I eventually did pass her. She was ahead of me when we started but once I got my momentum I was going. The running route was pleasant with a cool temperature of 60′s F and a great way to see the city. I was running all the way till mile 2 I didn’t see my friend and I stopped hoping to see her. But after a couple of minutes, I went on.
Honestly, I really enjoyed myself. I love the runners, no matter how slow, fast you are running or even walking, when we pass each other, we give each other encouragements. The volunteers from Team Ortho or even other organizers (there were different marathons going on that day) and the Minneapolis Marathon were just awesome. The water/Gatorade stations were a welcome sight. They never tasted so good!! I have to admit I walked a bit when we were on bridges coz the surfaces are concrete and I could feel a difference on my knees and feet. Even on some roads (the older part of Minneapolis) are cobblestones. Damn, I was definitely doing sprint walking but when I looked at my cellphone (I was carrying it with me for time) it was 40 minutes or maybe it was an hour past 7, I told myself I’m wasting time. The target I gave myself was under 3 hours to complete 13.1 miles although when my friend signed up, I told her to put me for 3+ hours. But as I was running, I wanted to go below that. So I was running and all the memories of my running years came back….felt good to run again. I don’t feel any pain, yet!
The last time I stopped to look for my friend was at this bridge (Stone Arch Bridge) and that’s the mighty Mississippi River. I snapped a picture of it with my phone as it reminds me of Niagara Falls as the mist from it was hitting us runners and the rainbow, too! I stayed on the curb for another minute watching for her but no where to be seen, so I went on. I have to say I was running out of juice then. Wanted water really bad.
After crossing that bridge, further up there were water/Gatorade stations. It was right at the bottom of the famous landmark, Gold Medal Flour (this landmark has been there forever, and I took the pic after the race while waiting for my friend).
I gulped down a few of them water and Gatorate and it did recharge the battery! All the way till I saw mile 8 that’s when I really slowed down a lot with lots of walking and meditating. The worse was I saw the first batch of runners who were at the front and fast pacers were on the opposite of me, that means they did the turn and running towards the finish line!!! All I wanted was the turn around and running/walking toward the turn around was like F O R E V E R!!! Serious, I was low on mojo and having no breakfast that morning didn’t help either. I was running on empty.
Finally the turn around came and I have another 4 miles to go. Knowing it’s only 4 miles I thought it would be no problem, however my legs and feet were already telling me it’s beyond run-able! 
Again, I walked a lot but each time I see this older lady, about 60 some years old run passed me, I told myself if she can keep running so can I. Yeah I’m a real sucker for challenges. It’s all mind over matter. The volunteers, cheerers definitely helped. The last 1.5 miles was the hardest. I was feeling extremely hot, the sun was already baking at that time. I pushed so hard to get up the hill – walked and when the cheerers said “You are right there, 3019 (that’s my bib number). You have mile an a half up the hill!” I sped up but slowed down as it was going up hill which turned to a slow walk. Another volunteer mentioned “half a mile to finish line” I started running and then I saw the finish line. That’s when I really sped up and crossed the finish line, hearing the beep sounded for my finishing time was just music to my ears. All the aches, sores, panting were all worth it. And the best part was I made it under 3 hours: 2 hours 41 minutes was my time. It was sweet. Now I know how runners feel after a long hard run. Oh after crossing the finishing line, the Minneapolis Marathon volunteers will hand out a Finisher medal for all runners and picture taken, too.
Now the part that scared me. After I crossed the finished line I was actually shaking and feeling cold. It sure felt funny to just stop, it’s as if I cannot stop, I have to keep running. I walked away from the sun to the water stations, my hands were shaking. Sucked down a few cups and was still hot and cold at the same time. When I went to hold on the metal fence along the road to stretch out, I felt dizzy. I thought I was going to collapsed of a heart attack or something. Wanted to sit but just couldn’t coz I was really shaking and my legs were darn sore. My mind tells me I have some heat stroke and dehydration. I then went over to a medical volunteer asking her is it normal to feel that way. She say yes since I sweated so much and low on electrolytes. Also running burns off the carbs. She told me to grab a post run munchies and eat a banana to fuel up and stand in the sun for a while.
Post run brown bag munchies are given out right after crossing the line, that consisted of Fit Kids Organic Snacking Grahams, Old Dutch potato chips, banana, apple, Salted Roll Nut bars and Fit Kids Organic Oat Meal. I didn’t take pictures, I was so hungry I had to grab another banana. Call me greedy, I didn’t care then.
Water station at the finishing line
While I waited for my friend, I took some pictures which are the ones you see above and eating at the same time. Also did a bunch of stretches. I even had my picture taken by the pro which of course will cost money if I want to buy it. It’s not out on the website yet.
So, running a half marathon is checked off on my bucket list.
My friend showed up about 30+ minutes later. After both of us cooled of, we walked acrossed the street to the Guthrie Theater to the Endless Bridge. I have never been there, so my friend was my tour guide!
Picture taken from the Guthrie Theather. We walked up there to see the view of the area. The kiddie pools at the bottom right of the picture are for runners to cool down. Also, there are hoses available for whoever wants to hose themselves down.
Another look of the Minnesota Niagara Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge taken from the Endless Bridge. I can say I ran on that bridge across the Mississippi! 
And finally a pic of me after the race. Yeah all smiles then!! However, not now!
After all these pic taking, we walked back to The Depot, collected our stuff and headed to our car for a big makan!
That’s where we dropped off and collected our stuff.
~THE END~
