Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon

Karleigh arrived late on Thursday night (right after I got off a 12-hr shift in the ER which is always another story of its own) and we headed home and to bed for the big weekend ahead. Friday we attempted to sleep in but then did some pre-race shopping, since I had never run a race in the freezing cold. Unfortunately, the forcast showed a high of 45 degrees even though we had barely had temps below the mid 50s previously. I found some good running pants at aerie and we bought coordinating shirts (same shirt, different colors)....then it was off to good will for our throw away jackets. Had a nice dinner at Saul Good that night, and headed to bed around 9:30 for our early departure the next morning.

We even remembered to get a picture taken that morning before we left, this was taken just before we went out the door at 2:55 a.m.

Karleigh made herself comfy in the back seat and we both took some little naps while Grant was the champion and drove us the entire way, delivering us safely to our destination :)

We got there a little after 6, registered, picked up our packets and stayed warm in the convention center while we waited for the race to start. Karleigh's pants didn't quite cover her ankles and she said that running in the cold felt like she was wearing "metal anklets," so to avoid this discomfort, we bought some awesome bright socks :)

All ready to go out...in our $5 Goodwill jackets and all.

The beginning of the course made a big loop around the Colts stadium (where Colts cheerleaders were out cheering us on with their pom-poms) and then headed back near the start, so Grant was on the side there and snapped a shot of our butts :) We were also getting warm at that point (about 2.5 miles in) so we threw our jackets to him (I guess we could have worn real jackets instead of throw away ones had we known that, but it was still one less thing to worry about).
The course was very flat, which initially I thought I wouldn't like because there's something I enjoy about pushing myself up a hill and then recovering down...however, I felt good the whole race, so whether it was because of the flat or something else I don't know, but for now at least, I'm a fan of the flat :) The finish line was much near the start and Grant found us again, this was about mile 11 I believe.

We did it! This was Karleigh's first half marathon (my 4th) and it was so much fun to do with her.She pushed herself just a little too hard for too long at the end, so felt a little sick and the medics made her sit down, get her vitals, etc. I think it was all in her master plan to get some time with the cute medical staff ;)The course went through a good portion of downtown Indy, through some cute neighborhoods, past the capitol building and several other monuments. It was a fun little course.And my cute cheerleader/driver/husband/supporter/Gatorade boy...

After the race we stopped and did some outlet shopping, a quick Costco run, and then headed home for a shower! Here we are with our medals, shirts, and hats. We did it! (and it was a very long, but awesome, day)

Thank you Karleigh for coming and motivating me to run my first fall/winter race. I was worried about training during this crazy semester and with winter approaching, but I couldn't have had better weather all through my training (I only ran inside twice and had sun and perfect temps for all my long runs). Looks like half marathons might have to be a bi-yearly tradition instead of annual (if I can afford to support my habit).Who else needs motivation to run their first?! Come run one with me :)