Beth's Race Day!

So race morning started at 5 am. Well, that's what time I picked Beth up. We were both up at 4 am I suppose. I met Beth and sat with her while she fed Addison (the last feeding for a WHILE...poor baby!) Beth was ready though - excited, nervous, ready to go!
Here's the injury that completely messed with Beth for the 3 days leading up to the race. She felt pretty good on race morning (thankfully). My biggest concern - I knew that it wasn't going to keep her from being able to run - but my concern was that it would hamper some of the fun for her. Thankfully it didn't!

The potty stop at the hotel. People started giving me crazy looks there. I was wearing my running clothes (knowing that I'd be doing some running to get to my "viewing" spots to see Beth, so I came dressed and prepared. I guess people think it looks funny to see a 5 month pregnant lady in running clothes. Go figure!

Just ONE more potty stop before hand!

I had to leave Beth here so I could get to my first viewing spot at Mile 3. I wished her luck and told her she'd do GREAT! I couldn't wait to see her again...and hoped she'd be smiling! Then I took off - I ran next to the racers for 3 miles to get to my position.

Beth's sister decided to run at the last minute too.

Here she comes at Mile 3...is she smiling?

YES -she IS smiling! I was relieved! I ran with her for a bit...asked her how everything was feeling, and then sent her on her way. She was heading into Ft. Story - which is a military base, so regular folks like me can't get in. I thought it was the loneliest part of the race, because there's not many spectators. I told her I'd see her at Mile 9 - right when she came out.

And here they come - at Mile 9!!! They've made it through Ft. Story!

AND she's still smiling! I was SO excited for her at this point! I knew she was doing great, was on pace, felt good, and was ENJOYING it!!!

While I was waiting for Beth at this point, some crazy man came and stood next to me for about 20 minutes. I was cheering for all the runners (I LOVE being the obnoxious cheerleader...because I know how much it means as a runner to have people cheer for you!!), and he kept asking me random questions and talking to me. He was creepy.

I ran with Beth for a bit again, asking how everything felt, if she needed anything else. She gave me her jacket and phone, but said she was doing great!!! I sent her off and told her that her mom & hubby were waiting at the finish. I knew I couldn't run with her the whole way back (4 more miles). I had already run 3, and thought it probably not the wisest thing to run another 4 while holding all of our stuff. I ran most of it, but stopped to walk a few times. Still, I sort of felt like I had my "fake" race experience.

And here she is at the finish - she did it! Finished the half-marathon and beat her goal time even! She finished in 2:24 (I'm sure her blog has the more EXACT time...) - when she signed up, she hoped to finish in 2:45!!!! Way to go Beth!

Two years ago, nobody would have BET that either of us would finish a half-marathon...and now look at us - we've BOTH done it! :)

Addison was a trooper! Beth finally got to feed her after the race, and she was glad to have her mommy back!

Here's Anthony & Beth - guess which one has finished a half-marathon. NOT Anthony!! (although he's got to bug - I just sent him David's training plan from Rock & Roll...I think he's my next convert!)

It was quite a morning. I was SO proud of Beth. I knew she could do it - I think even before SHE believed that she could do it. She watched me train last year and saw how I was able to do it. Somebody with ZERO athletic ability, ZERO running experience, and a busy mom with two active boys and a new baby. That was exactly where Beth was. But she did it! She followed the same training plan that I did for Shamrock the year before, and she did GREAT! Now she's hooked (as I KNEW she would be), has lost more than 50 lbs, is healthier than ever before, and feels (and LOOKS) amazing!! I'm so proud of you Beth! I know it wasn't easy, but you pushed hard and never quit! You ROCKED the SHAMROCK!