dutchess county classic half marathon 
(my first)
race report
Well, I did it….certainly not as fast as I would have been able to a couple years ago, but NOW at least I know I can pull off the dc classic half mary Since this was my first half marathon, I didn’t aim for great time: maybe 2:10. And I could have done that. I started out well, around 8:40 to 9 min miles, which is fine d/t the distance. Ran pretty well, happy and comfy until mile 4, when my left great toe AS USUAL began to act up and throb a little. I was chatting with the others who also wondered if I was ok, and I said, "my stupid toe is talking to me again" and one said, "well, tell it to shut up" and I had a good laugh I stopped, walked a bit, and tightened my left sneaker. That always helps. Then I was OK again, and mostly ran until mile 8 and 9~right around Route 55. I walked a lot of that strip there, especially since my calves started to feel numb (?) and my left one in particular began slight cramping. I certainly wasn’t dehydrated, and I replaced my electrolytes enough too. So I’m not sure why that happened. But I walked and ran the rest, around 10 1/2 min mile and passed the finish smiling at 2:17:13. I was smiling because I did it, not because of the time! So next year it will be a lot better~I will train better and take care of myself better. I’ll even aim for 2:00.
I was so happy to see Georgia and Jay, and Sue O’ Neil (we ironically ran past AHS, (our old high school and now my Sienna’s!) together, and laughed "Does that place look familiar to you?!" She’s so cool But I know that both her and Georgia beat my butt today~ I don’t think they had taken many walk breaks. I also saw Phil S, who really encouraged me to keep up until mile 8 before a break. I looked for Jean S. but didn’t see her. Everyone was so great at the race. The volunteers, the race director and staff, everyone. I wish I had time to go to the mhrrc meetings, then I would know everybody. I’ll def. do it again next Sept!
I’m glad I didn’t sign out of that one and do the 5k instead I needed three flasks of Gator, 1 packet gel (espresso flavor, of course!), and did stop at the water stations real quick for an extra swig here and there. I felt really good… and when I didn’t feel so great (ie~ toe, calf, tummy) ,I didn’t hate myself for taking a walk break here and there. Sometimes I felt like I was the only one, though!
All in all, it went really well. The weather was GREAT- cloudy, almost on the brink of a slight drizzle, but it didn’t. I love rain runs but NOT with my ipod, LOL. It was nice and cool. Yaaay!!!
Chris wanted to stay there and wait for me, so he could get some pics~ but I told him to go and do the sound at church, etc, because I would have felt bad if he stood around for over 2 hours. So they came right when the awards ceremony started, and my Nat and CJ came racing towards me, "Mommy! Did you get your trophy yet?" HaHA… So I didn’t get one this year (I usually get like 2nd through 4th on my age category for the shorter races.) So we left and I was a little disappointed, but I didn’t train enough, so what could I expect? I’m about to crash now Good night, folks. It’s nappy time for this ol’ geezer, LOL. Thanks to all who prayed for me
God Bless you guys,
Love, Dawn
. Of course I had fetuccine w/ clam sauce too. 
in Bronx, NY.
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. I love that man of mine. And we learn so much about each other by spending time with our families. God has been showing me the joy of just STOPPING to relish time with loved ones. It really is all about relationships, not accomplishments. I need to focus more on a good balance. Reflecting on this week, which flew by, I see again that life is full circle a lot of the time. Family and friend relationships from my past coming back to life, and me being a lot different now. It’s really all about people. The precious people God created and loves.
