Presque Isle Erie Pa Half Marathon

I did it!!!! I did it!!!

Terri , Moni and I headed to Erie Pa in the rain Friday afternoon for my Half Marathon Weekend.
We arrived at the Glass House Inn, a quaint little family run motel. It is a bit dated but we knew that. It was clean and that is what mattered. We headed to dinner at a local restaurant called the Colony. It was very good and I had a delicious Chicken Marsala. We headed back to the motel and played cards and boggle and laughed and relaxed.
Saturday morning after breakfast we headed to the Presque Isle state park for race packet pick up. It is soo beautiful out there and I got a good look at the race route. I was starting to get excited.

We saw places to rent bikes and hike and also boat tours. We decided to try the boat tours on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. Beautiful sun, scenery and relaxing. Ended the evening with a yummy pasta dinner at Serafini's.

Woke up bright and early on Sunday morning. There is only one way on the island and one way off. So traffic was expected to be high. So we needed to be at the race area by 6am. I was ok with that as it  gave me time to work out nerves and stretch really well.

It was time get line for the start. Nerves setting in more but excited. From advice that a fellow running friend told me.....don't rush jack rabbit. I didn't. They had water stops at every mile, plenty of bathrooms and
beautiful scenes. I did well and was still smiling for my pic at mile 5.7ish.
I finished strong and took it home in 2:09:16!!!!!!! Woot~~~
I did my first half!

Pros to this race-
They give a lot to charities and support groups.
Lots of water stops
Very Scenic
Very friendly

Cons
None that I can think of!

I hope to do this race again next year!!!

Only 3 more days

Till my first Half Marathon.To say I am nervous would be an understatement. I actually go back and forth with the feelings of "OMG what am I doing " to "Wow I am know one of those people".
I know the half I am doing at Erie PA is not a big event or venue but I am ok with that. I think I first need to experience the Half before going big. Too big of an event makes me anxious. I may never go to bigger events and that is ok right now. I just want to get my run on.

I find myself over packing.  This is an weekend affair as we are leaving to go up tomorrow afternoon. But in my mind I would rather have too much and not enough. Besides it is me who has to carry the bag. Taking plenty of my own snacks and such.

My biggest concerns are
-We have to check out of the hotel earlier morning, no late check outs(it is a small family run hotel). No showers at the park were we are running and I sweat when I run...ALOT. So it would be a long stinky ride home for Terri and Moni. I am planning on dipping into Lake Erie and then change into clean clothes. Problem is it will be only high 70 on Sunday. Time to pull up the big girl panties.

-Hoping for no tummy issues , just saying

-Unfamiliar running area and people. I will get over that fast. Will do drive over route on Saturday.

-Not sure where to eat dinner on Sat night. I know I need chicken and pasta. It works for me.

And because I am feeling like a Superstar!