First race of 2018 is in the books!

Sunday I did my first race of 2018. My only goal for the Drake 1/2 Marathon was to have FUN! I have been struggling with motivation lately…I think the prolonged winter weather has finally gotten to me. Thankfully spring FINALLY showed up and just in time for race day!!

Flat Kecia is ready to go have some FUN! Super excited to rock my new Coeur Sports 2018 team kit!!

I lined up behind the 2 hour pacer. I wanted to focus on FUN, not try to stay in front of the pacer. After the National Anthem, we were off to the races. With all the people, we started off pretty easy. I was running next to a man that had an Ironman tattoo on his calf, so I asked him which races he’s done. What started off as a simple question, took off onto a 10 mile conversation (any talking I did was broken sentences thanks to the pace Chris was setting)! I was super grateful to have Chris to run with. He pushed me harder than I might have otherwise gone, but I also had fun along the way!

At mile 10, he decided to give it everything he had left. I tried to hang on, but he had a lot more left in the tank than I did. This is when I started running for my Coeur Sports teammates. Mile 10 was for Ruth! She asked me to smile at mile 10 for her, so I smiled and thought of how amazing, inspirational, and encouraging Ruth is. Mile 11 was for Linda and her ill grandmother (who has since passed away)! I continued to smile, but now I was thinking of both of these strong ladies. Sending them love. Mile 12 to the finish was for Lecite! Lectie was hit while riding her bike early this year and is on the road to recovery. She is strong, full of grit, determination, and tenacity. A fighter to the core. I fought the last 1.1 miles for Lectie!

And with that, the race was over! So much FUN! Spring weather! Finisher medal! One #happygirl! Now it is time to keep working hard, follow the plan, have fun, and chase dreams!