The Arizona Half is a race that runs through parts of Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. The course is mostly flat, with a few hills, but nothing painful. It really helped me when the announcer at the start of the race admonished runners to go out slow but, at the same time, be comforted that the last 3-4 miles are all downhill. That's exactly what happened. Here's a general play-by-play:
- Mile 1: Running around a 8:30-9 minute pace. There were some really slow people in my corral. I actually jumped a few people and started in the race in the 7 corral. Even so, many people were so much slower. I had to weave and bob in the start of the race. Very frustrating to the say the very least.
- Mile 2: I really wanted to go to the bathroom, but alas, the lines are too long. I briefly contemplated going behind a bush... but we are in Arizona, no bushes in sight!!
- Mile 3: I saw a bathroom line with 4 people, I stop and stand in line. After 2 minutes, the line does not move. I cannot wait any longer so I jump off the line and keep running.
- Mile 4: I do no want to keep going, but I took some water and a gummy. I feel invigorated!
- Mile 5: I cannot listen to the Shrek theme song any longer and I switch tracks to Baby by Justin Bieber. (Yes, I listen to my iPhone while I run and yes, I generally listen to Spotify radio and I don't know why, but I got no signals at Tempe, so yes, I am forced to listen to one song on repeat. AHHH.)
- Mile 6: My foot starts to go numb and I panick. Too bad I can't access WebMD while on the run. Later, I read that it could be a combination of so many things, check out this article. Maybe it's my tight compression socks?
- Mile 7: Painful. I walked a little bit and pondered briefly what the hell I'm doing. Will I lose my foot? I can't feel them! My fingers also feel numb (from the cold). I guess most of the blood is going to my heart for blood.
- Mile 8: The numbness goes away and I feel better. I spot a couple in front of me. They are running at a 10 minute pace. It looks like the guy, who seems more athletically inclined, is encouraging the woman. He is wearing an orange jersey--great, just the right kind of brightness for me. I follow them.
- Mile 9: An incline up a hill, pretty steep. I'm running at a 11-12 mins pace. I see the runners returning on the other side. Some runners in front of me cheat and jumped to the other side. I wondered briefly if I should do the same; maybe I can shave off some minutes-- but for what? What's the point? After all, I run for fitness, I run for health, I am running for life. Running with integrity. So I push forward!
- Mile 10: The great thing about running up a hill is that eventually you'd reach the top and you'd start running downhill. I feel great! Almost done, just 3 more miles, I can do this!
- Mile 11: Chris said he'd meet me at mile 11, but where is he? I looked around for red-shirted runners. I spot him in the distance; he ran right past me! I holler, "Chris!" Good thing he saw me, otherwise, we'd have a hard time finding each other at the finish line.
- Mile 12: "We are almost there!" Chris said to me. "Just over the bridge, then turn right." Mile 12 is almost always the longest mile ever.
- Mile 13: I see the finish line in the distance and I speed up. I check my watch-- wow, 7:45 pace, so that's my potential. I feel like my heart will give out but I sprint across the finish line before the clock ticks 2:30. Awesome.
