Valley of the Sun ~ RACE DAY.

What an amazing day....where do I begin?! The morning came quick ... too quickly at that for race day. I was so nervous and I am not sure why because it is just a run I have done this multiple times.

I was already dressed and out the door by 4:45 am to travel to East Mesa...not sure exactly where I was heading I drive....I get to the finish line and pile onto the bus....the wrong bus!! LOL I did not realize that the buses were going to specific locations for the relay AND the half marathon. After overhearing a conversation I immediately realize that I am on the wrong bus as well as a few others and we depart and head to the correct bus. Sitting in the front seat since I was not with any friends or such, the volunteer states there is one seat left on the bus so I take it! Deep in thought on the 2 mile approximately bus ride I allow everyone off ahead of me - yes perhaps it was to soak up not being in the cool morning air of 55 degrees. I finally depart....I am at the warm up area equipped with about 10 port of johns and lines glore.

There is music playing - 80's rock - Footloose; a bit of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band; Country (I can not recall who or what the song was playing); Chariots of Fire, Rocky VII - Eye of the Tiger (Survivor).....finally the announcement .... the Star Spangled Banner was going to be sung by a runner (she did an outstanding job) then the hike with the announcer to the starting line about half a mile up the road....the gun goes off....you hear the timer scan the runners chips ahead of you....then it is your turn! The race has begun!!

The course was spectular...I prayed as we climbed miles two and three uphill to a straight away for a few miles the next thing I realize that I am at mile 6 and I am under one hour and I am excited....at that moment I realized that I was going to have a great run. I thank God for allowing me the strength, perservence, and will to run.

I find that my running gives me the peace, balance and understanding of what my purpose is here....slowly I am getting it....slowly the coins are dropping and everything is making sense.

Tomorrow will hold the evidence of today's run....the next run....is in April!! I will continue training for the next big run...definitely May in Cincinnati, Ohio - The Flying Pig.