Our 2 hour rode trip began on Friday around 11:00. Chris, JT and I left from our house and we had to make a stop by the Louisville Zoo to pick Jessica up!!! Yeah she was visiting some extended family! LOL No she was there with her son on his end of year school trip. We then headed to our hotel. We stayed at the Hyatt on 4th St. I have stayed there before and it is a nice place. When we got to the parking garage, Jessica and I jumped out and went down to my super sweet "sister's" office, (Robin is like a sister to me, life long family friend and neighbor.) to get our Derby tickets!! It was really neat to be able to go in one of the tall office buildings downtown....the 23rd floor!!!
 |
| The Hyatt |
After that we walked across the street to the KY Convention Center to the Runner's Expo and picked up our packets. It was really neat. Very well organized. Picked up a new headband. I have baby hairs around my face, and when they get wet/sweaty, they go wild, so I was very excited to wear it on Saturday!
 |
| With our Bibs! |
We headed down to 4th Street Live to meet up with the guys and to grab a bite to eat. We went in a little Piano bar, Howl at the Moon and listened to them play a few songs and then to TGI Fridays to carb up!!!
Jessica and I headed back to our room and the guys caught a cab and headed across the river into IN to the gambling boat! We were so excited and nervous trying to decide what we were going to wear. The weather had us tore up, it was a 40% chance of rain and cool. So I opted for black UA capris and a long sleeve pink UA shirt. The main reason I wanted to wear it was it had a zipper pocket and I could have somewhere to put my poncho in case of the rain. Jessica wore a tank top under her shirt, so she could take it off along the way and tie it around her.
 |
| In the hotel lobby right before we walked down to the start line! |
At the start line, just as the Bugle was being played for a call to post, just like the Derby! Check out our super cute new headbands. Mine is pink with bright polka dots and Jessica's says "i just felt like running"!!!! Go Forrest!
 |
| About to run 13.1 with 18,000+/- people!!!! |
The race was super FLAT!!! If you are ever considering a Half Marathon, this is a great one for you to begin with! Great atmosphere, and super course!!! Miles 1-8 went by super fast! We saw some Elvis runners, some people we knew along the course. I was looking for my blogging friend
Savannah, that was like searching for a needle in a haystack or the swamp as Jace Robertson says..... and never did see you!! (BTW can't wait to hear how you did).
However on mile 10 I was starting to spend out! My knees were starting to hurt and I could feel a blister coming on. And sure enough when we got back to the room there was a NICE one!
This is the crazy thing, our time was exactly the same as our last/first Mini. 2:20:11. To be honest, I really wasn't concerned with our time. Since I had not trained like I needed to, I was just looking to finish, run the entire time, have fun and enjoy the moment. And I did!!!!! But still crazy especially since this one was flat and the other one was hilly. But I think I can justify it a little. We had to walk about a minute at the start due to the congestion of people and then about the last 7 or so water stations you had to slow down a lot and wait for the water. Not sure what the problem was, but at one they didn't have any cups of water and were filling them up as we got there. Also we ran one lap inside of Churchill Downs, home of the KY Derby. Which was awesome!!! There were horses on the track warming up, Saturday was opening night of Churchill Downs. We goofed off in there taking pictures of each other, the spires and a nice lady asked if she wanted us to take a picture of us together. But we never did stop, we dropped a gear to a very slow jog. And at Mile 11 I was spent, I was so ready to get this over with, and I had slowed wayyyyy down. I know I was holding Jessica back, that is why she is so awesome, she stayed with me every step. It was an amazing experience.
 |
| Elvis Lives! |
 |
| Going into the tunnel |
 |
| inside the track!!!! aka the infield |
At the finishline, we saw the lady/friend that owns the nearest running store to us, Trax Running in Bowling Green, KY. She is amazing, and has ran several Marathons including Boston and NYC. Saturday she ran the Half. She said her Full days are long gone, the knees can't handle it anymore!
 |
| Lilly, me and Jessica |
 |
| finisher's medal! |
I am so glad I was able to be a part of this neat experience and so glad that I have running partner that will hang with me through all my belly aching!!! We understand each other and almost know what the other is thinking, even though you can be a tad annoying Josssisca!!!! Love ya chick!!!!
