Sunday morning jog

This morning was the infamous Sacramento Cowtown Half Marathon (there was also a full marathon and a 5k available). Sort of an odd rain with big drops showed up for a bit last night. For a minute I hoped it would return for the morning run. Just for a minute though.

So the deal with this one is that I trained Jen, from the Rec Center, to run because she kept quitting on herself and I couldn't stand it, so I meddled into her business and told her that if she WANTS to, she CAN. This basically meant some research for a training plan, preparing a plan, plotting out runs, coordinating schedules, and creating accountability. It also means I'm a busy body and maybe if people feel like quitting, they should just be allowed to quit. Also means I'm on the hook for running a Half.

We ran together, me telling dumb stories that were only occasionally well-received, keeping time, cheering, coaxing, bribing (not really), and reminding Jen that she was going to get a fancy cowbell at the end.

So . . . without further ado.
Of course -- a pre-race shot of the bathrooms. This was only one wall of them. I was going to take more pictures but I started running into everyone under the sun. Where did I get all these superstar, active friends?

Jen waiting in line wearing her chic trash bag to stay warm beforehand. It was a little sub-50 degrees. Not too shabby. Reflect-o hat for safety.
Jen and Michelle pre-race, post-pit stop.
Michelle, Jen, and Me: "Before."
ROGER! Roger's an NCAC guy. Well, he's an all-around good guy, but I know him from NCAC and he's absolutely fabulous. So fun to see him this morning and get a good giggle.
The masses. I hear-tell there were 5,000 runners.
Start line. With balloons.
There's a PBR manufacturing plant in Sacramento?! Schlemiel!
This was the best water station by far. Among their other attributes, they told us that the orange shirts have Cytomax and the red shirts have water. Genius. Good to know. The Cytomax kids were yelling: "Cytomax! It's like water on steroids!" Among other things.
Cowtown marathon has a cow theme, in case you didn't get that. Here are some spectators-extraordinaire.
Kathy (doesn't she look happy to be getting her photo taken?) and Jen. We're sandwiched here between the river and I-5. Lovely. Kathy was in my spinning classes in days of yore.
Yeah. I don't know.
Boat falling into the river. This path is directly across the river from where I ride on my 'after work loop.' So much more to see from this vantage.
Maybe you can read it, maybe you can't. The yellow shirt says, "Two heart attacks couldn't stop me. The finish line might."
The two purple shirts on the left are running for Team in Training. Lots o' purple today.
Marathon? There's an app for that.
Double digits, baby.
Jen's cheering team. They serendipitously showed up just after Jen hit a wall. Fabulous! With a sign, spatulas, and the whole shebang.
This guy with his flag is marking the point where we had 1/2 mile to go. His horse marked it in his own way.
Home stretch. Awwwww yeah.
Michelle, Jen, Me: After. Should have stuffed the lipstick in the mini-pocket.
Jen with her offspring.
Note the cowbells.
Post-run goodness. Yum.What a day. Back's not hurting too badly tonight. A good sign.
Interestingly, I decided just about an hour ago to not start Crossfit tomorrow and wave of relief washed over me. Duh.
Maybe I'll go for a run instead.