PJ's Run: Did not ace the test but managed to get a passing grade...

As mentioned in previous posts, I spent the summer hip deep in marathon training. It turns out that "hip" is the operative word. I have a cranky arthritic hip and two miles into my longest planned training run, an 18 miler, my leg collapsed. My hip apparently decided enough was enough and it was going on strike. After panic visits to Kristin, PT miracle worker, running was at least possible but the marathon was out of the question. Thus I switched to the half marathon, crossing all of my fingers and toes and religiously doing every exercise Kristin had given me, hoping I could at least finish the half although "racing" it seemed out of the question. It was certain I would not be acing the marathon test, but perhaps I could have a passable half marathon.

Sleeping Bear Marathon / Half Marathon / 5k day - a brilliant day and a fantastic weekend with my cousin John and his wife Marcie, at their home in Empire, Michigan just two blocks from the Sleeping Bear start/finish. John, Marcie, Kendall and Taz were going to walk the 5k starting at 8:20; I was running the half marathon - as fast as my hip would allow - starting at 8. The entire day went off without a hitch.

Watching and cheering the marathoners as they came by the house 1/2 hour before the half marathon was to start. (John & Marcie's kitchen window looks right out to the street. Folks, upon seeing John and Marcie cooking up a storm, often stop by and ask if they can see a menu!)

A short half-hour later, I come trotting by with the half-marathoners while the 3M crew (Murphey/Meditch/Miller) cheer and photograph.

And not long after I go by, the 3Ms (plus Taz) head to the 5k start, pausing for a photo op at the 26 mile sign right by their house.

Long before I am done, John, Marcie, Kendall and Taz are across the finish line getting their pictures taken. Upon seeing these photos, I concluded they had a much more relaxed trip along the course than I did! (That photography crew knows how to boost their business - they actually take close-ups of the pups that trotted through the 5k!)

Meanwhile I am learning a thing or two or three about this Sleeping Bear Half Marathon - as in
1) It is the hilliest course I have ever run - racing or training.
2) Whenever my hip starts to show signs of going on strike, I remember Kristin saying USE YOUR GLUTES.
3) I am somehow able to run consistently between 11 and 12 minute pace! (I had originally planned on a 13 minute pace when I was training for the marathon that had a 6-hour time limit.)

Lest you think I am exaggerating about the hills, here is the elevation record from my fit tracker:

It's an out-back course and I had originally planned on running fairly conservatively the first 10 miles and then, if I felt good at 10, I would pick it up. The 11-12 pace was a bit quicker than my version of conservative, but it didn't feel like I was straining at all and when I was heading out and realized that the first couple (thus last couple) of miles were relatively flat compared to the rest of the course, I thought that "pick it up the last few miles" plan might be workable. And sure enough, the last 3 miles were the fastest - dipping down just below 11s! Final time: 2:30:20. In the process of finishing, the announcer, who was calling out each finisher's name and hometown, also added for me - at the top of his lungs - "SHE IS 70 YEARS OLD". No hiding my age now! And speaking of age - bonus! I won my age category! (...a huge age category: 70-99 with not just one, but four! women in that category).

So for some finisher photos: