Race morning was chilly but one of the hotels was open near the start line so I was able to make one more bathroom stop and stay in the warmth of the lobby until closer to the start time.
I don't remember everything about this race from 5 years ago but figured the route would be similar.
On a personal note: as luck would have it, I should have started my period 4 days before race day but nooooooo, I started THAT morning. Not cool Mother Nature! Initially I didn't feel too bad but cramps would hit me hard later in the race. (sorry it all of that is TMI for some).
One interesting note, I saw a guy running and he had a sign on his back stating that it was his birthday. So as I ran up to them, I sang Happy Birthday to him.
Mile 10 would come to be the undoing of an "up to that point" decent race. All of a sudden the cramps hit really bad; my lower back and my gut. It was excruciating. I was in so much pain that I was running at times with my eyes closed - not good or safe! I was near tears at times. And then of course, it started sleeting. REALLY? I just put my head down and tried to push through although I started taking walking breaks. And it certainly felt like the temperature had dropped; it was definitely colder by the time I finished. I could barely text my husband (who was in San Fran) because I was shaking so much from being cold.
This was half marathon #21 for me and 8th for the year. That's a drop in the bucket for some but this "older" girl is pretty proud of what I've accomplished so far.
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