13.1

Yesterday I ran the Amsterdam half marathon!! Unfortunately, so did 20,000+ other people.  It was so busy I didn't cross the start line until a half hour after the gun went off.  But let's back up to why I decided to do this.  

I have been running since college, but never long distances.  3-5 miles was always my comfort with 3 being the distance I ran the most often.  When we moved to Utrecht, I started running more and get the itch to do a race.  I wasn't sure if I would do a full or half marathon but knew that I would do one.  Then when this happened my running got set back by a good month.  Once my ankle was healed I looked at my timeline, which included a 2 week trip to MN 2 weeks before the race, and decided on the half marathon in Amsterdam. 

The day before the race we met up with our good friends Tom and Amy at the race Expo.  Tom was also running the half.  After we got our race packets we all went out for some pasta and carb loading :)

 Tom and I before the race

Inside the Olympic Stadium before the race 

Vendors outside 

In my corral waiting for the start 

It was cold!!

Walking to the start.  Brent was at the start and finish line cheering me on.  With the way the race was set up it would have been almost impossible for him to get to another spot to see me and still make it to the finish. 

Coming in for the finish inside the Olympic Stadium 

 Crossing the finish line!

Celebrating our finish with beer :)

I finished the race in 2:05.  I was hoping to do 2 hours but my start was really weak.  There were a lot of people in my corral so my first 5k(3.2 miles) was SUPER slow.  Overall I am happy with the race and I am already looking for the next one!

Have a good week!

Mindy