Pensacola Half Marathon Recap...Amazing Race.

If any of you are looking for a wonderfully organized race with a beautiful course down here on the Gulf Coast, Pensacola Marathon is the race for you.

I had not planned on running this race mainly because I was not supposed to be in town this weekend, but my plans fell through and I was able to go. Unfortunately for me, registration had closed, so I was unable to register. I was Ok with that because I hadn't planned on running this weekend anyway.

 I was a "race spectator" this weekend, more on that later.
Some of my friends were running this race, so I put on my beloved Swiftwick socks and my new Running Skirt and went to check it out.

Holly, Mindy, Janet, and me.
 Of course I had to wear my one and only Running Skirt again.

Why? Because these girls only run in skirts and I had to represent, lol!

I have to admit we do look a lot prettier in them.

What do you think?

One of my dearest friends was running her first ever half marathon. Of course I couldn't miss that. For days leading up to the race she was soooo nervous. Pretty normal, right?

Well whats amazing about Janet is that she should not be able to run a mile much less 13.1 of them. She has had numerous back surgeries and has terrible asthma problems, but guess what she did it.

Talk about my hero!

So of course I was not going to sit at home and wait for a phone call, I was going to be front and center at mile 9, ready to run the last 4 miles with her.

These girls lined up at the start line at 6:30 am and they were off.

The great thing about this race was how organized it was. They had packet pick up on Saturday, but they also had it on race morning. They had plenty of bathrooms. The fact that it outside in a park made it feel not so crowded. With over 1700 registered runners it could get crowded real quick.

See all the space it was great. This was after the race started and the tents started going up. I was kind of excited to see all of the restaurants setting up booths. I think this is a great way for businesses to get their name out. I am not sure why more companies don't do it.

The epic finish line.
 

 Steve and I had planned to walk the 2 miles from the start to the 9 mile marker. He wanted to get some pictures Janet when she came by and I was going to jump in and run the last 4 miles and pace her in.

Hey look my new Mizuno Wave Rider 16's match this house. Can you find my left foot?
Now you see it, Now you don't!

I did get a picture of Mindy, Holly, and Jessica as they came by...

Then my friend from Gulfport, Shental came running by. This was also her first half marathon too, so very, very, very proud of her. She has trained so hard.

Janet came by and I jumped in to run the last 4 miles with her. Ultimately her goal was to come in under 3 hours. I was there to make sure that happen. During the race the amount of cops, volunteers, service men that blocked the roads and handed out water were amazing. They had water/fuel stations every 2 miles. They also had entertainment on the course too. 

I don't who this group was but they really helped us get up a hill, thank you!

As we came back in town towards the finish line. You could here the crowd starting to get loud. Its amazing the feeling you get when you can see the finish line. At this point Janet was breaking down quick. I grabbed her hand and was telling her to dig deep and finish strong. As much as she was wanting to stop and walk, she found that last little bit of strength she had to run across that finish line...

And guess what she made it in under 3 hours, official time...

I was so happy for her. I know that feeling of pushing your body to places you never thought it would go. She literally used every ounce of energy she had to reach her goal. It was such an emotional moment, I am so glad I got to experience it with her.

The now half marathoner, Janet...

After the race we met back up with everyone for a finishers picture together.

We ran into Regina, she is so sweet and her husband is an awesome photographer...

The after party was great, they had music pumping, lots of food, and Superman...

He has a cape, does that mean he can fly?

Yeah this guy was great and he was tall, check him out...

I'm 5'9, take a guess on how tall superman is?

 

I had contacted Jason Libbert, the race director prior to coming down. I was wanting to meet him and introduce myself. He is also the director behind one of my favorite races, the Pensacola Double Bridge 15k Run in Pensacola Beach. If you want to run an amazing bridge run on the beach, check it out!

 

Like I said in the beginning if you want a great fall marathon or half marathon to run. You should check out the Pensacola Marathon. Everything was so well organized and everyone was so nice. I don't have one bad thing to say about this race. I will definitely be adding it to my race schedule next year. Check out other events put on by the Pensacola Sports Association.

I did receive a finishers medal at the finish line. I did pace Janet in and they gave me a medal. I did not run the entire half and tried to give it back, but was told to keep it by Jason Leibert. I am very grateful for such a great race day put on by a class act group.

 

Don't forget I'm giving away 10 pairs of Mizunos... http://zerototwentysixpointtwo.blogspot.com/2012/11/freemizunoshoes.html?m=1