My 19th race was a race that I've registered for at least twice before but never run. I was anxious for the start of it this year...just making it to Baltimore for the start of the race was a victory!
I was pretty excited to run it. I loved that the race started at 9:45---getting from DC to Baltimore by 9:45 meant that we didn't have to get up ridiculously early and that I felt a bit warmed up.But as I said good bye to Mark, my back froze up and felt so incredibly stiff. I know that I felt like I had tweaked it the day before, but it just tensed up....I couldn't bring my hands up behind my back and it hurt to turn from side to side.
I was worried as I walked to the start, but hoped that the more I walked the better I would feel.
I stood in the corral for my wave. And waited. And waited. I didn't feel much better, but hoped that when I started to run I would be ok.
The gun went off! I started to run. It was tense, but if I didn't turn much I was ok. Around the .5 mile mark I stopped to walk, wondering if I would be able to make it to mile one, let alone 13.1. I was glad not to see Mark because I think if I had, I wouldn't have finished this race.
It wasn't until mile 8 that I started to feel better. I loved the course. Probably because I seemed to know where I was but it was also a lot of new places. I LOVED the last three miles, which ran from Hopkins to the Inner Harbor---all downhill! I must say, there were more spectators than what I had hoped for--and they were awesome!
Around mile four, there were supporters who had a sign that said, "Nobody made you do this." I love it. Another sign called all the runners "smurfs" because of the color of the race shirts (which were quality by the way!).
In the end, I was happy with my time because I finished! By the end, when I was feeling better and knew I would finish I was elated. I will definitely register again for this race. I think the marathon would be a good one too....Definitely an awesome, awesome surprise. 
Two thumbs up (and one joyous leg kick) for this race!
And always, thanks to Mark for supporting me along the way! We brought Soba this time which meant that Mark didn't have his bike. I saw him at the finish line just before I crossed it! :)
We enjoyed a tasty lunch at our favorite Baltimore diner, the City Cafe--a delicious post race meal! It took us FOREVER to get out of Baltimore because the marathon was still going on and all the cross streets were still closed. But it was nice to be sitting in a car, with Mark and Soba, on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon.One more race to go until my New Year's Resolution has been met!
Splits:
Mile 1 9:45.68
Mile 2 9:18.17
Mile 3 9:17.13
Mile 4 9:09.16
Mile 5&6 18:40.93
Mile 7 9:17.12
Mile 8 9:25.17
Mile 9 9:20.16
Mile 10 9:31.60
Mile 11 8:59.78
Mile 12 9:20.14
Mile 13.1 9:23.43
Total 2:01:28.47
| Bib | FName | LName | City | State | Country | Div | Age | Sex | ChipTime | ClockTime | Overall | SexPl | DivPl |  AgeGrade |
| 21632 | AMY | TRENKLE | WASHINGTON | DC | USA | FEMALES 35-39 | 35 | F | 2:01:26 | 2:07:37 | 2477 | 981 | 139 | 54.9% |
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