The air was brisk that morning and the anticipation of running for thirteen miles caused my heart to beat like the wings of a hummingbird (that means fast for those of you who might not be sure). My aunt and I stood, waiting for the race to begin, the smell of urine from the nearby urinals stinging our unfortunate nostrils; we were forced to the back so as not to get trampled by the faster and more experienced runners. She wore her tank top with pants, while I wore a t-shirt with my grandfather's face on it...her's was destroyed because of it's ill crafting on the part of my father. My newly purchased synthetic socks caressed my feet in ways I knew not possible and the pockets of my brother's shorts were filled with energy goo made by HEET (because they use more natural ingredients and goodness knows I put enough preservatives in my body), the taste of which I still did not know. As the race began, I realized I would probably miss high mass, a thought which was non too pleasing, but running the race and low mass would have to suffice for the missing incense and superb choir that would normally fill my nostrils and grace my ears. With "Macho, Macho Man" playing in my ears, the race began and all of us trampled forward like a herd of cattle. The first mile I found myself having difficulty getting in front of those slower people; by this time I left my aunt eating the dust and gravel I was kicking up with my new shoes purchased at Fleet Feet. Eventually, I found myself singing "Lay All Your Love on Me" and pulling ahead of the pack...I imagine the people around me were fairly glad I was passing them because of my awful singing (probably starting each one higher than I should be as I as told last Friday) and distracting arm movements (yes, I dance run...but that was nothing new to those of you who know me too well...). The first few miles were filled with the beautifully designed homes of William 
Land Park, their architecture was extremely pleasing and helped me forget I had many more miles to go. Eventually, I saw my parents and very happily waved in their direction all the while wondering how much longer it would take my aunt to get to the local I just passed. After running through the "projects" of Sacramento, an area in which I picked up the pace so as not to get shot or mugged or the like (okay, so maybe I was not worried at all, but I do like to embellish). Once the levy was reached I chewed on my first gel thingy which was quite delicious and tasted like raspberry jam! It was at this point that I realized I should have utilized the facilities because my bladder was hurting (I never seem to prepare for the water I chug before a race or movie for that matter). And after using the restroom, which was one of the most awkward experiences of my whole entire life, I continued on, ignoring the slight fatigue my legs were expressing. The river water was beautiful, reflecting the bright blue sky, it's surface dotted by a few docked boats. Then, at mile eight I experienced the WORST CRAMP OF MY LIFE...I pretty much thought I was going to die, but continued on so as not to renig on the promise to both my father and myself that I would not walk any portion of the race. At mile nine, I was praying for mile ten and the comfort I would find in the last gel I had in my pocket (I had to ration them as I had foolishly only brought two with me). Mile ten approached and I smiled with the prospect that the tropical goo would be tantalizing my taste buds with its slimy deliciousness. After its consumption I managed to cross paths with my aunt (we had to make a loop) and called out her name; she looked som
ewhat disoriented, but determined to finish the run. Here, we reentered the beautiful neighborhoods I was yet again revitalized, the beauty of my surroundings breathing new life into me. The last mile, I picked up the pace and with the end in sight I sprinted as if I was out running a cunning puma; I could hear my mother yelling out my name as I zoomed past her. This last bit was quite agonizing as I used every ounce of energy I had. In the end I ran an average 9:14 mile for a time of two hours and one minute...I was quite pleased as I simply wanted to stay around a ten minute mile. I must say, that the half marathon was quite amazing, and after its completion I was quite excited for the full marathon in December, though my aunt and I have decided we are going to both have our shirts professionally made because we can't be out of fashion while we run...
