What. The. Hill.

Perfect entry way into my world of running today.  Friday night I drove down to Richmond to Kim's house so we could prepare/get ready for the Rock and Roll Raleigh Half Marathon.  Preparation included shopping at 10:00 PM and of course my early Saturday morning 3 hour gym session.  Followed by 3 hours or so of driving to Raleigh, and viola - we're at the expo.

And it was hot.  Wonderful.  And I had no shorts.  Seriously Tristan, what the hell?  You packed for North Carolina in the middle of April and you only packed capris?? What were you thinking?  So after a semi short trip to the running store ($150 later...) I came out with a lot of great things!

Now I'm always a little hesitant about wearing something on race day that I haven't worn before, but honestly this time I had no choice.  So 5AM wake up call rolled around and off we go - in new clothes and barely worn shoes.  And it was hot.  Even before the race started I could feel the humidity in the air.

I decided to count this one as a fun run and not go all out like I have on the last two. So Kim and I ran the first 7 1/2 miles together. And then off I went with my trusty Garmin and ipod shuffle; both worthy investments.  And it was hill after hill after hill.  I mean I haven't run hills like that since I lived in Harrisonburg.  Oh my word. But I did it.  And I ran and finished the whole thing.  Even through an 11 1/2 mile (almost) wall.  And I did it in 2:01:45.  In style.  Lots of hills and now lots of recovery beer.