Sunday Rob and I drove over to Peoria to meet up with Drew and run the IVS Half Marathon. We had perfect temperatures, very mild, but sunny. It was a perfect day for a race.

The course was another matter, this was one of the most challenging courses we have EVER ran. We were warned about two major hills. They even changed the course to remove one of the big hills. However, people failed to mention that aside from two major hills, the rest was hilly throughout. It was a two lap course, mostly through a cemetery with beautiful views from a top the hills.

We had a moment of silence for 9/11 and an emotional singing of our national anthem. Then we were off. Through the first lap of the course I knew my legs would be smoked in no time. This was going to be one mega-hill workout. I traded positions with a few women throughout the course.

My stomach was not a 100%, but I was able to tolerate it which was lucky because there were no porta johns on the course, just the ones at the beginning of the race that weren’t by the course.

Regardless of pace I just made sure to keep my effort in that working/racing mode. My mind shifted to moments of thinking of 9/11 and those families forever changed by the tragedy. My thoughts were with them.

It was great that the course looped back on itself multiple times. I got to see Rob running strong and shout at him multiple times. And I even saw Drew after the first lap and got to give him five.

It was such a great workout. I hope to make it back to this area for some hill training in the future.

Rob came in at 1:36 and was 3rd in his Age Group. I was 7th female with a 1:45:10 and 2nd in my Age Group. Drew finished in 2:07, running very strong. He was so close to his PR, even on that hilly course which means a new PR is just around the corner!

Us with our awards.

One of my favorite medals, dog tags!

The hooded sweatshirt.

My award.

Stats:

1:45:10

8:07 Pace (hilly)

Overall: 44/205

Female: 7/?

F 35-39: 2/?