Even Stevens...well...almost...

STOP THE PRESSES! Something crazy has happened. Something so unusual...so out of the ordinary...so...well...so peculiar...

For the first time...in well...my running career (because let's face it, we all know I could make a career out of running)...I ran relatively even splits...IN A RACE, NO LESS! Forget about the fact I have a new PR...I am tickled pink to have run consistent splits!!! Home girl is the queen of inconsistency...apparently not anymore!

Eeep!! Look at these beautiful miles...
1- 11:11
2- 11:13
3- 11:16
4- 11:14
5- 11:58 (restroom)
6- 11:12
7- 10:55
8- 11:23
9- 11:08
10- 12:38
11- 12:40 (Saw Mark T. around here)
12- 13:05
13- 11:08
.1- 9:05 pace

I felt absolutely fantastic around an 11:15 pace for the distance. I wasn't winded. It was comfortable and didn't struggle to hold onto that pace.

Total distance including weaving: 13.23
Official Time: 2:33:10
Pace: 11:41

Now I know you're looking at miles 10, 11 and 12 while scratching your head. See...the St. Louis course is rather hilly. Chicago, is about as flat as my chest when I was in the 8th grade--and trust me, that's flatter than flat. My right hamstring was pretty ticked off at me for running up all the hills by this time and wanted to make its unhappiness known. As a result, I ended up having to walk up the hills those three miles. I was fine on the flats and downhills, but I just didn't want to run through the pain at that point. I could deal with the burning blister in the arch of my foot, but I know the ramifications of pissing my hamstring off and frankly, I didn't want to be hobbling around the next few days. Had my hammy had cooperated, I would've easily broken 2:30...but there are a few other half marathons on the schedule this season, so I'm not too worried about accomplishing that this season.

Overall, I'm proud of my performance. Even more so...I'm proud that I carried a Kansas Jayhawk flag through the last 7 miles. I got a lot of cheers. :) ...and even a few jeers (there were lots of Memphis folks there). I'll forgive 'em for that, though...we did beat 'em in the title game, afterall.

But the absolute best part of the race though? Running with my dad. At least until 9.5 where he pulled ahead since I was in pain and needed o walk. This was my dad's first half marathon and he rocked it (finished in 2:28 and some change). I'm really impressed with him...hopefully we'll be able to run together in Chicago this fall.