13.1 miles .... and still smiling.
We did it!!
Crossing the finish!
And here's Team Schmoo...
before the race:
It's about, oh, 5:45 am.
and after!
We did it!
Dude. I had so, so much fun. Seriously. I didn't realize how much fun it was going to be -- I thought I would finish, and be proud, but I really ENJOYED the race. It was a beautiful day, kinda chilly at first, but no rain, and plenty of sunshine. I ran with High Energy Jenny for a short while, ran with my sis for a little longer, and then those two ran ahead and I kept my slow intervals (three minutes running, one minute walking) going for about seven miles. At mile 7, I changed my intervals to *four* minutes running, one minute walking, and I hit my stride. I was running pretty fast! I felt great! At mile 10, I took an energy goo thingy and picked it up even more, met up with my sis, and we finished together. (Our times are exactly the same! Ha. Twinsies.) And we finished in under three hours, which I am really proud of.
I want to thank my sister Cathy, who inspired me to run this race and coached me all the way through my training; High Energy Jenny, who ran with me, encouraged me, and made me believe I could do it; Anne Marie, who encouraged me and tried to tell me how FUN it would be (although I didn't believe her); and Jacob, who put up with my grumbling and complaining, prodded me to run when I didn't feel like it, and cheered me all the way to the finish. You guys are awesome, and I totally couldn't have done it without you. And thanks to everyone for all the encouraging comments and good thoughts you sent my way - they really helped! Also, congratulations to Dixie Chick Jenny, who also ran the race! Yay us.
My legs were pretty sore on Thursday evening but I'm all healed up now. I also have some pretty ugly toe blisters. Yum. And I am totally ready to train for my next race, seriously, and I'm also considering training for a marathon. Not anytime soon, but definitely in the near future. Running a race is FUN, people. I'm not kidding.
More fabulous pictures by Jacob can be found if ya click here.
(Edited to add: My Flickr sets seem to be working now, but if that link doesn't work, here's a list by date. They are in reverse order, so start at the bottom and work up if you want to see the pics in chronological order.)
Longer post with knitting and celebrity sightings v. soon. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family and Jacob's family. Right now I'm off to knit and relax. Yay!
Comments (54)
Wow. Totally behind here, but I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR RUNNING! That is all. You RAWK.
Posted by Rachael | December 9, 2005 3:26 PM
That's awesome! Congratulations on finishing and having a great time.
Posted by Ann | November 30, 2005 8:22 AM
Carrie, you absolutely can do a marathon. It's all in the training. I have a good 20 years on you, no athletic talent whatsoever, and three completed marathons behind me. If you want some encouragement or advice, let me know!
Well done!
Posted by Rebecca Gordon | November 29, 2005 7:52 PM
way to go!! You are an inspiration.
Posted by maya | November 29, 2005 11:43 AM
Yay! How cute are schmoo? (Get it? Hee hee.)
I caught the road racing bug in college in 1993, and haven't stopped yet. It's pretty addictive. Let me know if you decide you want to try a triathlon!
Posted by Julia | November 29, 2005 10:48 AM
Congratulations, you look so happy!! :)
Posted by Amber | November 29, 2005 10:08 AM
Way to go! Congrats you all!!
Posted by Michelle | November 29, 2005 9:17 AM
Congrats! And the Team Schmoo running costumes are spectacular.
Posted by anne | November 28, 2005 11:02 PM
YAY! I knew you could do it! I felt the same way about the MS150 last year, I mean how could something like that actually be fun, but it was! I'm glad you were able to have that experience!
Posted by sarah b. | November 28, 2005 8:22 PM
Way to go, Carrie!!!
Posted by alison | November 28, 2005 4:34 PM
Congratulations! You are amazing. And you look so hyper in the pictures...you'd think it was the beginning of the race instead of 13 miles into it. I'm so proud of you. Mwah!
Posted by Anne Marie | November 28, 2005 2:58 PM
Yeah to Schmoo! How wonderful that you accomplished such a great goal! And you had fun doing it--I'm gonna get all misty here...
Well if you're going to marathon, remember us out here in SF at the Bay to Breakers. You can do the whole race drunk and naked and no one would bat an eyelash...
Posted by Sil | November 28, 2005 1:32 PM
Yay for Team Schmoo! Isn't it a great feeling?!? Once I finished my half-marathon, I finally understood why people do this. Congrats!
Posted by J Strizzy | November 28, 2005 1:17 PM
Go Schmoo! Will you train me to run a half marathon?
Posted by Leslie | November 28, 2005 11:37 AM
So, so, so, proud of you!!! xoxo MJ
Posted by MJ | November 28, 2005 9:47 AM
yay! go team go!
Congrats on such a huge accomplishment!!
Posted by heather | November 28, 2005 8:51 AM
I know everyone else has said it all, but I will say it again: you are inspiring, you rock, and I am so proud of you! You kick ass!
Posted by Sarah | November 28, 2005 7:54 AM
Team Schmoo Rocks the Planet!
Posted by greazy V | November 28, 2005 3:31 AM
You so totally ROCK!!! Congratulations! You are totally inspiring my dear :)
Posted by Amy | November 27, 2005 10:54 PM
Congrats TEAM SCHMOO! You should be proud of yourself! You make me want to run my own half-marathon.... well almost!
Posted by Melissa | November 27, 2005 9:43 PM
Congratulations Carrie! Isn't a great feeling? When I did my half marathon I also did a run-walk program, which is the best way to go. I'm doing my second one next May, and hope to run the whole thing. Way to go!
Posted by Melissa | November 27, 2005 9:01 PM
Whoo hoo! Congrats!
Posted by Scout | November 27, 2005 6:03 PM
Woohoo!! Congrats Carrie - you did it! I love seeing the shirts and smiles on all of you. You're an inspiration!!!
Posted by Gaile | November 27, 2005 5:21 PM
Yaaay Team Schmoo!! I'm so proud of all of you girls. I'm not big on running, but I'm glad you found something you enjoy so much. Oh, and I'm kinda scared of that goo stuff.
Posted by Vicki | November 27, 2005 4:40 PM
Congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of road races.
Posted by Kat | November 27, 2005 3:24 PM
Bravo! Inspiring, thank you. :)
Posted by Lizzie | November 27, 2005 2:56 PM
Woot! Congrats!
Posted by Cari | November 27, 2005 1:41 PM
Nice work!
Posted by Robyn | November 27, 2005 12:43 PM
Watch out! Half-marathons can be addictive. Congratulations on your first one.
Posted by The Other Allison | November 27, 2005 12:15 PM
Impressive! Please tell me more about this energy goo. What does it taste like?
Posted by Jocelyn | November 27, 2005 11:34 AM
Carrie, 13.1 miles is utterly amazing! Congratulations!!! I'm still dubious about the fun part--I can't stretch my brain to imagine that--but it does look like y'all had a blast. Yay for Team Schmoo!
Posted by courtney | November 27, 2005 11:21 AM
Congrats on your half marathon! What a great accomplishment. Go Team Schmoo!
Posted by Stacy | November 27, 2005 10:56 AM
Congrats--what a fantastic achievement for you and all of Team Schmoo!
Posted by Anita | November 27, 2005 10:41 AM
Congratulations! Very inspiring!
Posted by Tisra | November 27, 2005 10:40 AM
Yay you!!! Congrats on your amazing achievement!!
Posted by Julie | November 27, 2005 10:35 AM
Congratulations! Go Team Schmoo!
Posted by diana | November 27, 2005 9:29 AM
Yay Team Schmoo!
Posted by AmyP | November 27, 2005 6:36 AM
Biggest congratulations!!!! I can't imagine running for three hours straight but you did it and you're awesome. Hooray for Team Schmoo!
Posted by Jenna | November 27, 2005 1:39 AM
Oh my! It looks like you had a most fabulous time! I am so glad you got to accomplish so much with so many great friends and family by your side. You are all rock stars! YAY Team Schmoo!
Posted by Giao | November 27, 2005 1:10 AM
Very cool! And I'm very proud of you! 13 miles? Eesh!
Posted by Stacey | November 27, 2005 12:49 AM
YAAAAY! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!! GO CARRIE, GO CARRIE! WOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Lara | November 26, 2005 11:54 PM
Yay Team Schmoo! What a great accomplishment! Wahoo!
Posted by allison | November 26, 2005 11:46 PM
AWESOME! Well done Team Schmoo!
Posted by Cara | November 26, 2005 10:09 PM
Congrats! You're pretty inspiring to me too. If this cold ever goes away, maybe I'll drag my flabby butt back on a run...
Happy Thanksgiving, too!
Rock on with your bad self. :D
Posted by terby | November 26, 2005 8:57 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by Gina | November 26, 2005 8:36 PM
WOHOOO!!!!! You're amazing, over 13 miles! Holy crap that's incredible! You're an inspiration, and congrats!
Posted by Val | November 26, 2005 8:11 PM
Wonderful Carrie! I am so proud of you, my dear! You are inspiring...I am looking up a "learn to run" training guide as I can't even run for 3 minutes w/o having a coronary.
Posted by Skylar | November 26, 2005 8:10 PM
Congrats on your great run! I'm starting to get back into shape myself, and perhaps I can work my way up to this some day.
Posted by Alexa | November 26, 2005 7:34 PM
Yay! Congrats Carrie!
Posted by Angela | November 26, 2005 7:15 PM
Congrats Carrie! You worked really hard for this. You should be very proud of yourself.
Posted by Leah | November 26, 2005 6:56 PM
SO PROUD OF YOU!! Congrats on a great finish.
Posted by Kate | November 26, 2005 6:44 PM
Oh, congratulations!! You must feel so good for doing that--both of you! I know I'm proud of you.
Posted by --Deb | November 26, 2005 6:36 PM
Congrats Carrie!
Posted by carolyn | November 26, 2005 6:20 PM
Happy Thanksgiving and Congratulations to you! You and Team Schmoo are so inspiring, and it's great to hear that you had a wonderful time :) Happy knitting!!
Posted by allison | November 26, 2005 6:09 PM