Hippie Chick Half

 All of my photos from the Hippie Chick Half Marathon were stolen directly from Laurie's Blog which is much more professional than my own.
After chowing down on some spaghetti we drove out to Katrina's house where I quickly realized that I had forgotten my bag.  I hadn't forgotten my pillow or Rosy but I had somehow managed to leave behind my clothes and shoes, which are kind of important when it comes to participating in a race.  I would love to write more about the fact that since Rosy was born I can't seem to remember anything but that is a whole post in and of itself.
For a second I contemplated running barefoot in regular clothes and with no sports bra (it was the Hippie Chick after all) but I nixed that idea pretty quickly.  Brandon proved himself once again as being an awesome husband by getting up a little before 4 AM so that he could bring me my stuff.

We had a blast with our sleepover the night before where I got to put on the coolest nail polish I've ever seen.  Hanging out with these girls is so much fun that I forgot to get nervous.

Michelle, Katrina, Marci, Laurie, and Lindsey - Hippie Chicks Forever

 As you can see we were all very excited to get going.  It was a beautiful morning and there is a cool feeling at a women's race like this.

 I did a pretty good job jabbering away at Katrina and Laurie for the first 10 miles. 

I was too busy talking Katrina's ear off to even notice the windmill.

 Then I was hit with a wave of fatigue and it was up to Laurie to get me through.  A word about this girl.  She is fast, really fast.  She could have used her race pace, left me in the dust and finished 20 minutes quicker, but she stuck by me to the end.  I had told her that I wanted to finish under 2 hours and she made sure that it happened.  I won't divulge all of her tricks but I will say that she has a pretty great singing voice and she knows how to use it.  Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like that.

I knew that Brandon and the girls were at the end and I was so happy to see them.  Because I love them, and also because I knew that I could stop running.

1:53:07 a new PR!

I love each one of these women so much and I feel incredibly lucky to have friends that are so amazing.