Air Force half marathon

Saturday I ran my 5th half marathon race and I guess for me, five is the charm... although I do have to say I've done my best training before this race, especially since I've been training for the Chicago Full Marathon.

Jill, Chelsea, Jennifer and myself

This run... was amazing! Not just because of my PR of 2:11:25, although I'm pretty stoked about that.  I followed along with a pace group which was amazing for me! Even though at the 8 mile hill I kind of fell back from the group. I pushed it the entire way and for that I am proud, and I know for sure all those hills in Hinckley are what kept me going strong!

Chelsea and I drove down on Friday to get our bibs and check out the expo. We always go through the expo quickly to get to the bibs, once that is complete we can take our time at the expo. Bib pick up was effortless, organization is a common thread throughout this entire half. The Air Force marathon was the most organized and planned marathon I have ever participated in from start to finish! I found a shirt from New Balance that was embroidered with the air force logo and Chelsea and I finally both got our spibelts (we sure could have used them on a couple of the long runs this past few weeks) But I was glad to have waited for exactly what I wanted!

We had dinner together on Friday night at the Italian restaurant Giovanni's, and then Jennifer and her husband, and Jill and her family headed home, while Chelsea and I went to our hotel and started getting ready by pinning bibs on ...

After completed five halfs this year, the Air Force was by far my favorite. Even when running the Disney Princess there were people that told us about the Air force marathon, I never imagined it could beat Disney...boy was I wrong.

The flyby's, the shirt, hat and oh yeah.... this!