Hooray! Half marathon #23 is in the books and boy was it an interesting one. It was my first time racing in pouring rain and woo, was it fun! The aftermath was not. LOL

Going into the race, I had no idea there was a chance of rain. I mean, I live in Southern California. We get rain maybe 5-6 days out of the year. Apparently, this last weekend was one of those weeks. 

Bib Pick-up: Bib pick up was easy peasy. The location was at a community park and was extremely easy to find. It's also where you meet up for the start of the race so you get an idea of where everything is during bib pick up. I picked up the bib, race shirt, and was off to get some dinner and sleep for a 6 am wake up time. :) 

The Race: The weather forecast mentioned 70% chance of rain at 8 am, but when I drove to the start line, there were no rain clouds in sight. In fact, it was just a beautiful morning by the lake...surrounded by lots and lots of high school kids.

A portion of the race proceeds goes back to the local high schools so it made sense that a lot of the participants would have been the high school students. Unfortunately, having so many high school kids surrounding me completely threw me off my game. LOL. My friend and I joked that we'd get smoked by these kids and I of course, being the competitive person that I am, didn't want that. So I, stupidly started out too fast at the start.

Below are my thoughts throughout the race. Feel free to laugh at them: 

#1: Oh, what a beautiful morning. Man, this race is efficient. It's 8 am and we're off. 

#2: Hmm, there's the 2 hour pacer. They're going awfully fast, but I think I can swing that pace.

#3: Woohoo! I reached the 2 hour pacer. I wonder if I can catch the 1:50 pacer. Oo, I see the 1:50 pacer. Yoohoo!

#4: Wait! SLOW DOWN GIRL! A 8 min mile this early in the race is too fast. 

#5: Oh crap, my legs feel heavy. WHYYYYYY? Stupid me. Why did I think I could PR? I'm gassing out. Okay. The goal was to enjoy the process and try not to die. I guess I'll try and do that. Oo, pretty course. 

#6: Ack. I hate my allergies. I can't breathe. I hope no one thinks it's gross I spit on the course. I'm trying to not hit anyone. 

#7: Wow, this race is really well organized. There are a bajillion turns, but there's someone at every turn directing. Go race course organizers!

#8: UGH, don't walk Mai. Don't you do it. You know the moment you walk, you're going to keep run walking and that slows you down a lot. Don't do it.

#9: Okay, you're almost at 6 miles. At 6 miles, take a little walk break. 

#10: Hmm, I'm at 6 miles, but that's not even at the halfway mark. God, I'm such a wimp. Let's just hit the halfway mark and then you can walk. 

#11: Okay, I'm at the half way mark now and I think I can keep running without walking. Maybe let's try and get to 8 miles. oO, pretty river. 

#12: Well, I'm at 8 miles and I only have 5 miles left. Maybe I can run to 10 and then take a break? 

#12: I guess if I only have a 5k left, I should just keep running. 

#13: Oh what? It's RAINING? Oh well, it's just a light sprinkle. I'll be fine. 

#14: OH SHIT. IT'S RAINING HARD. I can't see. So much water on my face. Is that sweat or rain? I can't tell anymore. Wait, can I feel my fingers? Nope. Can't feel my fingers. LOL. Wait, I see a photographer! Smile girl smile through the rain! There are free race photos! Smile til you can't no more. 

#15: OMG, I SEE THE FINISH LINE. PUSHHHHHH! 

Post Race

#16: THAT WAS AMAZING. I got my pretty medal and OH HEY FRIENDS! OH AND FOOD! YASS!!! POTATO CHIPS? HOORAY!

#17: Crap, I am freezing. Oh, you're going to give me a free shirt to keep me warm? Thanks Kona Brewing Co. You're the best. Okay, get to the car. OH WHY WON'T IT STOP RAINING? LOL

Too long didn't read? I started out too fast in the race, gassed out, then played mind games with myself to prevent myself from walking, and then froze to death when it started pouring. LOL

Truthfully, the race was extremely well organized and I really appreciated the atmosphere of a smaller race. The views were really pretty and the rain was an interesting way to end the race. Too bad, it took me a few hours to actually warm back up and regain feeling in my toes and fingers.