If you missed Part 1, check it out here!

Sick kid update – thank goodness for Advil, Tylenol and snuggles. As I put Hilary to bed last night, she said stay a little longer. So I did, I stayed a little longer with her in my arms in the glider, I sang a little longer and I just enjoyed her being under the snuggles….you never want to see your child sick but the snuggles aren’t going to last forever. I soaked it in as long as I could.

21.1 km continued….

I took my first Chocolate GU around 42 minutes, roughly 6k and kept running with the package in my hand as I wanted to find a garbage bin to put it in. Eventually, we crossed the highway and were on the Confederation Trail – beautiful crusher dust and fall colours everywhere!

I instantly had a pebble in my left shoe and was annoyed as it bounced under my toes like it was in a pillow fight, floating back and forth. That’s all I could focus on for a long time. It eventually made its way to my heel and started to feel more like a rock. The level of annoyance was getting up there but I kept running even when it felt like the stupid rock jumped out of my left shoe and into my right shoe in an instant. Seriously! I don’t know how that happened or if I just wasn’t paying attention but the pebble was now in the right shoe! *face palm* WTF!

Around 57 minutes in, I figured I’d finish my first 10k around 1:03 and then did some math. If I kept at this comfortable pace, I could do 20k in 2:06 and or maybe, just maybe push the last 2-3k to finish under 2:10. I hate doing math when I run but this got me excited.

My motto for the run was “stay comfortable” and when I saw “behind pace” on my Garmin, I would say “that’s okay” and smile. Because, really…it was okay. It was okay that I was behind my 6:20/km pace as I felt comfortable and was really enjoying my run. Now, I wasn’t that far off my pace but within reach, right where I wanted to be.

I took out my other GU around 10.5k to warm it up in my hand {really, it’s a nice stress reliever to squish between your hands when running} and it’s easier to swallow when warmed up. As we left the trail and onto the road my legs felt like they were in heaven! Happy legs, happy runner….right!

Again, I felt so comfortable running. “Ahead of pace” flashed on my Garmin – awesome. This is such a great run…no, don’t say that…it’s such a good run, I thought. The last time I said “great run” when running, I hurt my foot. We ran through a cemetery and I was not prepared for that at all. It was short and sweet but I couldn’t help but think about the people who were buried there. I started to read the names and then got refocused on my run.

Roughly 15-16k

I was feeling good at this point and just kept running at my comfortable pace. We came out onto a street and I floated down the hill. It was rolling massive hills from here on in. I ran up every single hill and kept a comfortable pace for each. I struggled a few times towards the last two hills but didn’t stop. I remember looking at my watch around 17k and was feeling really good still but knew I had more hills to come.

As marathon runners passed me – actually whipped passed me – with what looked like fresh legs, I felt like I was moving at a snail’s pace. A few times I’d yell out “great job” but most of them were focus on their run to reply back. I heard music pumping out of a stereo and the song reminded me of my girls; that made me feel good.

I was hoping to really push it between 18-21 km but I just couldn’t. I did maintain my “pace” and then managed to push it a little more during the last 2km. I knew my husband would be at the finish line so I kept my eye out for his jacket. I noticed him instantly and the smile on my face grew bigger. I was happily finishing my 3rd half marathon with enough juice in my legs to finish strong.

As I high-fived a bear, I knew I had accomplished my goal of running another half marathon. I push those last few steps as the MC called out my name my hands went into the air in celebration. The last few steps I ran with my eyes closed for some reason….maybe I was taking it all in, maybe it was in relief to be finishing, maybe I was overwhelmed with joy. I’m sure my race finish photo’s will tell the story on my face and I can’t wait to see them.

I made my way through the finish shoot, grabbed some food and water and found my husband. I gave him a hug but told me not to squeeze him too tightly….as he had an egg/gouda/bacon sandwich inside his coat waiting for me! SCORE!!!! It was still warm as he ordered it from Starbucks just minutes before I finished my race.

I stretched a little (not enough) and ate my sandwich and YES, I had a moment of ugly crying with my husband as the last 10 months came crushing down on me. It couldn’t have been a more comfortable run, I loved every second of it.

Pace Breakdown

1 – 10km pace: 6:06 | 6:18 | 6:23 | 6:16 | 6:21 | 6:17 | 6:26 | 6:16 | 6:21| 6:29 |

11-21.1 km pace: 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:07 | 6:16 | 6:04 | 6:29 | 6:13 | 6:28 | 6:28 | 6:08 | 6:08 | 0:58 |

Average: 6:18/km (goal 6:20/km)

Chip Time: 2:13:28

Garmin Time: 2:13:30

After I ran, we waited around for another RunATCan member to finish his first half marathon and it was great to see him finish. Great job Andrew and congrats! I ran into an old soccer friend, Jenna who was running the corporate distance with some friends.

Later that afternoon we went to The Gahan House for beer, mussels and calamari…I’m pretty sure I made my vegan husband ill with my food choices but it was so good!

I hurt all over! My hamstring isn’t good but my calf muscles hurt too. I’m taking the week off running since it’s a crazy work week and trying to get my hamstring happy again. The road to recovery after an injury is NEVER over – that’s what I’ve learned this year.

Thanks for reading about my journey to my 3rd half marathon. I’m excited for a 5k Santa Shuffle in December and just enjoying working out and getting stronger. I’m not ready to give up my long runs or half marathon training so expect to read more about that in the new year!

Congratulations to the PEI Marathon for an awesome event! The course is beautiful in so many ways. The vibe at the finish line is energetic. Great job….I will be back!

Again, thanks for your comments, your support and encouragement along the way.

What’s your favourite post race meal or drink?

Do you have any upcoming races?

How do you finish your races?