Race Friends!

I already mentioned my "friend" in the marathon that helped me keep on pace at the end of my marathon.  Well, we have some pictures together!  So, I thought I would share a little bit more about our last few miles.

So near the end of lap 2...maybe at mile 16, I noticed I had caught and was running near a girl with a similar pace.  I don't know how long we had been running together, but it just seemed to make sense that we continue to do so.  In my mind, I remember looking at her age and seeing that she was not in my AG.  I remember thinking she was maybe 35-39 AG (and she isn't, but she looks like she should be!).  Great! Let's run together.  Plus, she seemed smiley.  I liked her already. 

It was also hard not to miss her Luna sandals.  I knew what they were, and although I have never tried them, my soggy, wet, nasty feet were thinking they looked pretty dern good at the time.  I was envious of her sandals! 

 Chuckles...I think this is a picture of me noticing that she is wearing some sandals on the marathon.

It seemed that we were keeping each other going, and that is when I had my bright idea to finish in 11:15.  Luckily, she had on a watch that worked and corrected my math ever so slightly.  Great!  Sub 11!  I told her that if she would get me to the finish line in sub-11, I would be her new best facebook friend.  LOL!  I really told her that.

She asked me to get her to the finish line in 10:40.  Only one of us upheld our end of the bargain, and it was not me!

Running up the cross country section.  A bit of a pain, but not near as bad as the desolate 2 mile construction site.....

 

We had a good time running a few miles together.  We were passing a lot of people and just keeping a good, steady rhythm going.  I wish I could have carried a sign that said, "yes.  She is wearing sandals.  They are made for running.  Thanks for being the 1,000,000 person to notice."  Everyone we passed had a comment.

At every aid station I would take at least 10 seconds longer than her, and I would have to catch back up.  (my goal for the next race is NO DILLYDALLYING at the aid stations.  IN AND OUT!)  Finally, I think I just stopped catching back up and she finished the race about a minute ahead of me, I think.

We gave each other some big hugs at the end of the race.  It was a fun and memorable experience.  I did actually find her on FB and become her friend, as promised.  LOL!  And, guess which Luna Sandal Runner WON her AG and is going to KONA?  Oh yes!!!! I didn't know we were on such a mission!

So, good times.  I love these types of memories.  They are the things that really make these races special and fun.