The race that almost didn't count

This blog posting is so funny to me and one that I will never forget.
When I started this blog I committed to Heels and Hills half marathon with my friend Kim. It was a big goal but I was going to do it. The most I had ran was 8 miles on the treadmill and that was with a 2 minute walk at mile 5. Sunday, May 2nd came fast but I was ready.
It was a cool early Sunday morning, I was on my way to the race. I'm driving thinking of my check list of things that I needed. About 15 minutes into the drive I realize I forgot my racing bib. I turned the car around to go back to get the bib. I call my friend Kim to let her know what was going on. She assured me that I didn't need the bib but by that time I was already almost home so I just continue on. I told her I would be there before 7:15 am to pick up my running chip. Got the bib! I'm making good timing I approach the exit to the race and traffic comes to a stand still. It's 7:00 am. I called Kim with an update. She said she would pick up my running chip and wait for me. She expressed that the traffic was moving pretty good so it shouldn't take long. So I waited and waited and waited. It was now 7:30 am the race started and I have only moved .10 mile. Kim called and said she would start walking toward me and ride to the parking garage. 7:35 am there's Kim. I'm praying to God, begging him to let me make the race. It was so important to me. Kim jumps in my car and I appologize for missing the race. She is such a good friend and says it's ok. We may not qualify but we can still run the course. Then I tell her I had a little too much coffee and water I got to go to the restroom. Yes, I was a drama queen. She said she would go park my car while I go to the potty. We were by that time at the corner of the race site. It worked out perfect. As I was waiting for the potty the 5K started. I was really getting nervous. I finished and headed toward the parking garage to meet Kim. It seemed like forever. I spotted her at a distance. I began to run towards her as she ran to me. We met up and headed for the start line. As we approached the start line I hear the announcer say oh wait we have two more runners to qualify. We did it no thanks to me. We made it just in time to qualify. Now we had to make sure we finished in the qualifying time. We were over 22 minutes late starting the race. All because I had to get my bib and traffic.
We're on the trail and running about 10 minute miles. Kim says we need to slow down if we are going to make it the full 13.1 miles. I'm feeling great! The trail has a lot of trees and greenery and it was cloudy with a cool breeze. Perfect!! We are jogging mile after mile grabbing water at every water station. I even waved at some people watch us race. Kim says at mile 6 we need to walk for a minute and continue to do that at every mile marker. So we did and made sure we drank all our water. Half way there and I'm still feeling good. The water station gave us a packet of energy gummies. Mile 7 I eat a gummies and keep another one in my mouth to suck on. Still doing good. Mile 9 was a accomplishment, it was the long distance I had gone so far since I started jogging. Wow! I think I can do this. Mile 10, Kim says "ok Jodi we have a 5K left". I think no sweet I've got this. I notice that Kim starts pulling ahead a little. Either I'm slowing down or Kim is speeding up. No worries! Mile 11, OMG my stomach has processed all the food I had and it's starting to cramp. Only 1.5 miles left and last water station. ahhh, refresh with water. Oh my stomach, I keep saying to myself "I can do this". Mile 12, walk a minute ok finish strong. I had to stop to walk by this time Kim is way ahead of me. She turns to see I'm struggling. I told her I have to go to the restroom and my stomach is cramping. By this time I'm getting a little lite headed too. She suggest we walk until we get to the turn and them it's about .2 miles to the finish line. Then we can finish strong. I agree, but then it hits me hard. My stomach is not going to let me walk. I have to get to a restroom fast. So we start running again. As we round the corner I see my brother Nick waiting to run the last stretch in with us. I get a little emotional when I see my two boys waiting to run the last .10 mile with me. We all start running when I see my dad then my mom and step moms cheering me on. We finish and qualified too. Even though we wanted to finish the race in 2 hours and 30 minutes we did an awesome job finishing at 2 hours 32 minutes and 49 seconds.
As we ran through the finish line Kim took off my running chip and we made our way to water and nourishment. I stopped long enough to take my pictures too. I had forgotten about the restroom until all of a sudden it hit me.
Now I had to find my car. Everyone went there way leaving me to find my car and drive home. I was feeling ok until a group of people lead me to the stairs in the parking garage. I asked where the elevator was but no one could tell me. So I just wanted to get to my car so I climbed 4 flights of stairs with a women behind me saying "I'm not feeling so good again". That was my que to get out of the stair well. I started walking the parking garage ramp thinking there was only 5 levels of this garage. All awhile seeing signs pointing to the elevators. Level 7 finally top level and wouldn't you know it where I came up my cars is on the opposite side of the parking lot. I start walking toward my car and wouldn't you know it next to my car is the elevators. Go figure! I'm finally on my way home and decide to eat something because I knew my body needed it and I haven't been able to keep anything down yet. So I eat 1/2 a cliff bar thinking that would be good. Well, not so much I had to stop at 7 11 for a quick restroom inspection. They passed by the way.
Home...home...it's so good to be home. I need food! Water and 2 eggs mc muffins will do. Cooking some eggs and so my gosh. Still can't keep anything down. Burned my last two eggs. I was determined by this time to eat some damn eggs so I salvaged the middle part of the eggs and had me some egg mc muffins. Oh well maybe not. They didn't stay either.
Shower I need a shower that will make me feel better. It did feel good. I curled up on the couch and rested for the rest of the day. Would I do it again......oh yes, minus the stomach issue. I need to work on how my body reacts to long distance. I figure I have a year to train and figure it out.
So that's my story