On Sunday morning, the alarm sounded at 4:30, we rolled out of bed, got dressed and headed out the door. We got down to Detroit at 5:30, and it was already ridiculously crowded. So much traffic! We got to the cross streets and then waited in line for a port-a-potty stop. It was WAY too early, and WAAAYYYYY too cold!
As soon as I was done in the restroom, the first horn sounded. We gathered up our things after I got dressed down and geared up and made our way to the starting line. Wow. Just wow. There were so many people:
Bryce told me that there was probably a mile of people in the chute. I slipped through the barricade and nervously awaited my corral's horn:
I was supposed to be in corral L, but I slipped into D. I just wanted to get started; I was pretty excited! How could you not be, with all the people and lights and music?!?
In waves, we moved forward:
And off we go!
I started really slow; I was taking pictures and watching and listening to the other runners and spectators. I even sent a few texts. I wanted to enjoy and really experience it. I really think the best part was the build up to the Ambassador bridge. It was amazing. Just as I started to cross the sun began to rise on the city:
As I said, I took pictures, but pretty much every one was blurry. That's what happens when you point and shoot on the run I guess. This was a particularly spectacular view of which the photo does no justice:
Soon I had crossed into Canada:
The Canadian fans were the best. They literally lined every foot of the road, and they were cheering like crazy for everyone. Of course, in my mind they were all there and cheering just for me. There were some great posters; "Worst Parade Ever," "Killer clowns are chasing you," "Run like you stole it," "Go random stranger!" "Can you believe you paid for this?!?" and "Your feet hurt because you're kicking so much @$$." Pretty soon we were heading into the tunnel and back to the U.S.:
It was seriously cool. Okay, maybe the tunnel was my favorite part. It was warm and echo-y and just us runners.
But then as I came out of the tunnel, Bryce was there to cheer me on. That was my favorite part!
Yep, between taking selfies and cheering myself on, I run most of the race with my arms up...
There we go!
The next stretch was a little painful. There wasn't anything to look forward to now except the finish line...which was still five to six miles away. I had a powerbar applesauce and some m&ms, put my music on and trucked away. I started to lag behind the 9:55 pacer, and pretty soon they were almost out of sight. Perhaps it was lack of liquid or lack of sleep the night before, but I was just tired. But before I knew it, I was coming back towards downtown and Bryce. I asked him at this point if I could be done now; I was burned out. But I had less than a mile left.
I finally crossed the finish line at 2:13. My Garmin watch dropped off under the bridge, so I don't have my splits, but overall I'm pleased:
My legs were a little shaky at the end but not totally trashed, and I felt pretty good... for which I was glad because I still had to walk a mile to hook back up with Bryce, and then half a mile back to the car. I was however, cold and starving.
When I did meet up with Bryce, I felt a wave of emotions. Relief that it was over, sadness that I didn't get a better time, joy at the accomplishment... but mostly gratitude for my body. I'm awed at what it has accomplished. I have to say, after having three babies and being over weight and feeling old and constantly tired, even running a mile seemed impossible. I thought I would never be able to lose weight or be physically active. I definitely thought I was on the downhill slope. How wrong I was! In just three months, I've lost 45 pounds and run two half marathons. And I'm not done...
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