Hattiesburg Half Marathon 4-10-21 - Half marathon #43 for me

 

Welcome back Hattiesburg half marathon!! Our race was canceled last year due to COVID.  I can't even begin to describe the excitement that was in the air leading up to race day.  We were all thrilled and looking forward to running an ACTUAL race NOT a virtual race right here in our home town!  

Then as the weather usually goes for us here in South Mississippi... you know that saying... "wait 5 minutes and the weather changes!".   We've had lots of storms here lately.  So going into race week the weather did not look real good for Saturday.  Friday this picture and info was posted on the Hattiesburg city page.  The race team would be meeting with the weather people to decide if a delay in start time would be needed or not.  Turns out it was NEEDED.  The race was scheduled for 7am.  They delayed the start time till 9am.   I was very happy that I didn't have to get up super early to begin my race morning process of trying to eat early, etc.  AND there was lots of thunder storms and rain going on at 6am!  

After the storms cleared the weather was really perfect.  It wasn't too hot and the humidity seemed to be better to me. 😁

I was so excited to be running with so many friends!  We had most of the PPRF group there, tons of MSCoffee runners, Half marathon maniacs, a couple from Team Run4TheKids and many more.  It was a great morning snapping pictures with all the groups.  You could feel the excitement in the air! Our world had been turned upside down for a year with races being canceled with nothing but virtual races.  There is this feeling or joy I should say for me when I run in a race with tons of people.  You just see so many types of runners.  Fast ones, slow ones, jog/walkers, etc.   I just love the atmosphere of a race!  Here is one picture of the PPRF group before we started.

Me and my sleepy eyes... them bags don't do down for awhile...😂😏

So here's the course map:

When we started there were a couple little turns and the officer leading the runners turned the wrong way so a ton of runners (I heard like 60%) followed suit behind him.  I started noticing the mile markers signs did not match up to my watch.  But I didn't fret too much over it because I figured we'd make up the distance at the end somehow.   However, when I crossed the finish line my watch said 12.6 not 13.1 😕  but honestly it really didn't bother me.  I was just happy to be running an actual race.  Everyone that was at the finish line at that time was asking each other what their watch said on distance... everyone around me was short like me... so I was like ok... it was just short.  I didn't know at the time about the cop making the wrong turn.  And I certainly can't fuss at him.  Who knows.. maybe it was his first race and he got excited when we started and didn't realize he turned wrong... I have to always remind myself that there could be other reasons besides him just not knowing the course.  😀  

When one of my friends came through she was like I've got to go finish and get my 13.1 miles on my watch.  By this time I had already drank a beer and eaten.  I was not going to run anymore... so we all sat and visited while she did her distance. 😁  Anna I'm proud of you!  Then another one of my friends came in and was telling me she saw me going the wrong way.  She said some of them that were in her pack of runners were yelling at the others trying to tell them they were going to wrong way.  😂  I'm sure most had in ear buds like me and never heard anything and all they knew were they were following the runner in front of them.  That's what I was doing. 😂😁

Overall it was a BLAST.  Did I mention it was also a charity run.  They had several charities and many of them were on each mile cheering.  The course also went through part of USM.. My alma mater!  It was AWESOME.  That's why I love a REAL race not a VIRTUAL race!   I felt really good until the bathroom hit me around mile 6-7 and I had to end up stopping 2X to go to the bathroom... GRRRR  I still finished in 2:11 in which I was THRILLED.  I haven't been running for speed in a long time.  NOT that I'm ever fast! But I have done a half marathon faster than 2:11... several years ago.  😂  I give God all the glory!  He was with me every step!  With all the long distance training I've done over the past few years, I really haven't focused on speed.  But my sweet coach has been implementing some speed work here lately and she's about to kill me.... 😀😂😎  But it's been good for me and has improved my running lately.  I'll never be really fast... too old and too many complications from head to toe inside the body... 😊 I just thank the good Lord for what I am able to do each and every day! 

Here are a few pictures of the day with my peeps.  I am very THANKFUL for each and every one of them.. They ALL inspire me! 

Candy & Ronnie meet a new friend, Tammy!

PPRF and our new friend Tammy

Renee & Dennis (love my neighbors & running friends) helped put on the race! Nestor & Jennifer beside them.

Nestor in one of 3 of his costumes he ran in during the half marathon! 

Start line

Kily grabbed this pic of me coming in.  It was nice to see him!

Chilling after the race.  

Felicia & Michelle coming in 

Our FAVORITE couple!  I love the FREEMANS!  They both run and encourage each other.  I often wish my husband ran so we could do races together.  This couple has it going on! 💝

Still eating and chilling... 

Ran into Haden right before the race.  He graduated high school with my daughter.  He recently became a father to a beautiful baby boy! Love them!

3 of the SFI crew that finished.  There were several others from Sanderson at the race, but I only got a pic with Serina & Mary.  💓

Krista walked with Frank who has been struggling with back issues.  They are both big BLESSINGS to me!  Looking forward to St. Jude Memphis Marathon with them in December! Notice the blood above Frank's eye.  He told people that Krista hit him during the race.. 😂 He loves to tell a good story! I think what happen is the door on the porta john came back and hit him. 😉

The lady in the picture died the week of the race.  She was a long time MSCoffee runner and inspired many runners.  So several of us pinned her picture on our bibs and ran for Ms Sheri! 

Well, that's a wrap! Keep moving! Keep training! You got it!