Today was definitely an early morning - rising at 4 AM to head to Fredericksburg for the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon.
It should be no surprise that logistically this race is well organized. They had arranged to use a commuter lot 3 miles from the race start and shuttled people there. When I made it to Warrenton at around 6 I was quickly able to get on a bus and head to the start in Fredericksburg - it was flawless.
The race itself was a good race - I had a plan and stuck to it ... mostly. The biggest part about this race is after running 10 miles you get to face the biggest hill. It only rises 150 feet but it does it in about a half mile. And then you get to face a couple of smaller hills. So needless to say the end of the race is brutal.
The weather was good at the start but was a bit warm by the end - but running through the old neighbourhoods of Fredericksburg is great. The people were all out cheering, kids high-fiving and lots of water and the occasional sprinkler.
I did not know how I would do on this race since I had a great Cherry Blossom but had not trained hard since then. I had a goal to finish with a pace under 8:30. Well I finished with a 8:26 pace finishing in 1:50:32 and putting me 780th of just over 6,000 finishers. I was pleased. The cold beer after helped too :-)
ISHI - Japanese for DETERMINATION. Some would say I am stubborn - others opinionated - but in reality it is determined. I believe it is determination that got me through the challenges I have faced and allowed me to start this new and wonderful life. I will stay determined and we will have as much fun as we can along the way. Read along for the wonderful adventure.
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