I didn't die and my leg didn't fall off.

Saturday night I set my alarm for 5:30 and when it rang Sunday I tested out my neck. I could sort of turn my head, so the race was on!
David dropped me off at the start and I hit the port-a-potty and squeezed into a corral in time for the (very weird, heavy-metal, disrespectful) national anthem. I was in the first corral but I got to the back because I felt like a tool dragging my injured hamstring up there with the likes of Mo Farah and Shalane Flanagan.
Lots of the Varsity Sports people were corral one, naturally, them and their fast selves. At the gun I settled in right near Mark and Rob, both running the full, but about my safe pace. I wanted to make sure I didn't fall apart and DNF since let's be honest here - the last time I ran 13 miles was early November! I can't believe it has been that long. Injury sucks.

We hovered around 7 min pace and I let the boys do the work setting the pace. I felt good, so I just ran. Boy, did I miss the race atmosphere. The crowds, the people cheering for you by name (most of whom I knew, some who read my bib), the funny signs, the police blocking traffic, the kids waiting for their mom or dad.
Because there is a turn-around, I got to see some elite action, which was a thrill, of course.

Mo Farah won in 1:01!

Flanagan 2nd female

Goucher  5th and looking a little pained!

Shortly after that I dropped Mark and Rob: they were going for a 3:05 full and I felt like today I could go a little faster - not much faster - than their pace. I missed their company, but I concentrated on not twisting my ankle on Esplanade (Dear City of New Orleans: Please resurface. Thanks).

My friend Gary took this picture of me on St Charles  Ave

I rarely run half marathons, and there is always a sense of abruptness to the finish for me. All of the sudden the half split from the full and just like that we were at 13 miles! Because I am the world's worst sprinter, I didn't pick up a thing, just suddenly was across the finish line. 1:31:15 (unofficial).
And I felt fine. Not tired, not winded, not sunburned, and thank goodness not aching in the leg. Yet. We'll see how I feel tonight.

Then I showed my awesomeness by snatching my pathetic free food (really, Competitor Group? Green bananas and generic pretzels? I've had better airplane food), dashing to the car, driving home, showering, and making it to church EARLY.

If my hamstring doesn't flare up into insane pain later (I actually brought an ice pack to church and sat on it!) I might think about my return to running. I was pretty happy with today. I won't lie, the race was not easy for me - I am out of shape. I wasn't pushing it, but I felt more tired than I should have for the pace I ran. But I'm not complaining. That's good enough for a comeback run to me!