^WHERE:  Davis, CA

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Anna and I are running today, the 1/4 mile and 1/2 Marathon.  Troy is on crutches 5 days after his heel surgery.  What dedication to come out and support his girls.  Team Rionie (Leonie and Rich) is racing the 10k today.  Our college roomie, Liesbeth, is here supporting us and her running team.  She's kindly volunteered to help Troy keep track and keep up with Anna who is now outrunning her daddy.

Today is really low key, I just want to enjoy this as a long run.  I was going to race with our Rocklin Masters buddy, Dave Campbell, but the poor guy has the flu.  We had a goal to run 8:30 to 9 minute pace and I'm going to try to stick with that.  It will all be dictated by my heart rate and how I feel.  I rarely have people to run with so this will be a treat to be surrounded by hundreds of runners...surely someone will be going my pace.  I'm inspired by a running friend, Beth Bourne, who ran up to 10 miles in her last trimester of pregnancy.  I don't know if I can do that but at least I can run long in my first trimester(=

I warm up with Team Rionie.  They're looking fast and are pumped up to race.  Rich is going for a fast one today.  I feel good but I am concerned that "nature will call" during the race.  It's a small drawback of being pregnant.  The 10k'ers and 1/2 Marathoners all start together and about 2 miles into the race split up.  Leonie and Rich line up in front and I seed myself in the middle of the pack.  I want to be able to run a consistent and comfortable pace and not get wrapped up in what folks are doing in the beginning.  I run over to Troy and Anna for last minute kisses and hugs.

Ready, set, go!  I take my time getting off the starting line.  I see Anna ahead waiting to give me a high five...high five, yes!  There's tons of runners everywhere!  We are taking up the whole street.  We run by my first apartment...memories!  We turn onto another road, heading towards the east side of Davis. 

Mile 1: 8:36.  Wow, that actually felt comfortable!  Maybe I can maintain close to 8:30 pace.  We'll see...  We're approaching Mile 2 and the foot-overpass.  I'm hoping I'll be close enough to see Rich or Leonie going across.  There's Leonie...."go Leonie!".

Mile 2: 8:38...alright!  Now we're going the opposite direction of the 10k'ers.  We wind our way through a school yard and some neighborhoods.  "Nature" does call.  I see a porta-potty but decide to wait for the next one...if there is another one.  I'm still feeling good and the heart rate is staying steady.

Mile 3: 8:36.  It's such a beautiful day!  It was supposed to rain...yeah, it isn't! 

Mile 4: 8:25.  Cool!  I continue to feel comfortable.  Thanks God!  "Nature" is still calling but I'm still hanging on for another bathroom.  I see one in the distance but decide it's too much out of the way.  There will be another...I can make it, right?

Mile 5: 8:37.  Uh-oh!  I jump into some bushes and jump out as fast as I can.  Now it's up and over the overpass.  Hey, there's the porta-potty...real helpful now!  I use the downhill to gain some speed and make up for my stop...wee.

Mile 6: 8:40.  We're on a beautiful greenbelt.  I catch up to a girl with an Ironman cap and ask her which race that it's from.  She did the inaugural Ironman Louisiana this year...cool!  We chat about racing Ironmans.  Boy the time really goes by fast when you have someone to talk to!  A little further up the road I run into a nice girl from the Davis Turkey Trot Stroller 5K.  It's much easier for us today without the kids in the stroller!

Mile 7: 8:40.  We continue to wind our way back through another greenbelt.  It's getting harder to hold the pace.  The slightly higher heart rate reflects that.  I thank the Lord for letting this race be so great and ask for His strength to get to the end...even if it's slower. 

Mile 8:  8:37.  Not bad.  The next few miles fly by and I'm just focusing on maintaining my heart rate. Surprisingly the splits are faster:

Mile 9: 8:24.

Mile 10: 8:32.

Mile 11: 8:30.  Just as the miles start to drag on, I meet another nice woman out there who just gave birth to her 3rd child three months ago...and I'm 3 months pregnant...funny.  She looks great and is running strong.  We chat.

Mile 12: 8:24.  A faster mile with a steady heart rate....  It's amazing how a little talking goes a long way!!  Just a little over a mile left!  It's hard not to get excited to be done.  I try to maintain the same pace and not push too hard.  I just need to put a slight hold on my competitive juices.  I remind myself I have nothing to prove and to continue to keep it light and fun.

Mile 13:  8:25.  Just 0.1 to go!  There's Troy and Anna!  I run by Anna and give her a high 5.  Yeah!!  I'm home free.  I have girls in front of me but I opt to stay right where I am and just finish strong.  I cross the finish line and I'm done!  Thank you Lord Jesus!  What a fun day!  Leonie and Rich both took home some hardware today...nice job you guys!

Now it's Anna's turn...

Go Leonie!

After Mommy's race we headed to Cafe Bernardo's restaurant to have some breakfast with Liesbeth, Leonie and Rich.  I'm eating a power meal...fruit and yogurt.  I'm really excited to get going especially with all these old runners around me like Mommy. 

We head to the race start.  Kids are already racing...have I missed my turn?  Mommy, asks someone and they say we are okay.  There's lots to do: shed some layers, put on a new diaper, fix my hair so it doesn't go in my eyes and tie the shoes.  Here comes Leonie and Rich.  Mommy is giving Leonie the camera...this time I'll be getting my picture taken. 

Okay, it's about to start.  Yeah, I'm so excited!!  Ready, set, go!  We're off.  Oh boy there are sure a lot of kids here but I like that!  I like having so many to watch!  It feels so good to run...I love it!  Mommy tells me that I need to run to the balloons.  Where are they?  I just see a straight road.  I'm sure she knows what she's talking about so I just keep running and looking around.

Mommy keeps telling me I'm doing great.  I also hear Daddy, Leonie and Rich cheering.  I think I see some balloons up ahead...yes!  I see lots of kids turning around up there and running back towards the start...the finish line must be there too.  I'm so excited to get my medal.  I keep telling Mommy "medal, Mommy". 

I'm at the balloons now and heading back.  Those balloons are so pretty, I wish I could have one.  I'm not alone this time.  I have some kids around me...we all are having fun!  Hey there's Daddy.  Mommy tells me to give him a high 5.  I love this part!  I keep my hand out and run right for him.  Yes, we touched hands! 

I can see the finish line.  "Medal!"  I'm getting kind of tired now but I know it's just a little farther.  I turn the corner and people are cheering.  I don't want it to end yet!  I cross the finish line and they give me a ribbon.  I like it!  I'm really pumped up right now and feel like I can do that again. I keep running around hoping to get Mommy and go back out there.  She tells me I'm all done now...okay. 

Look there's the Aggie horsie.  I want to hug him so I do.  He's so nice!