DRC Half: 5 years, 550.2 miles

I love this race.  I love the course.  I love the many friends who are always there.  I love the memories that I have created through the years. DRC Half was my first half marathon in 2008 and I haven't missed once since.  A fluky foot injury in early October left me quite worried that I would have to sit this one out, but thankfully all was well by race day. 

My 1st Half -- November 2, 2008

The race details themselves are not terribly exciting.  It was a perfect day for a race -- in the upper 40s and beautiful sunshine.  I dreamed of these days as I was shuffling around on those hot August days.  I wasn't expecting any record times, I was happy to be running after the above mentioned injury. 

Post Race With Ben & Liza -- old school peeps

Between recovering from the Lakefront Marathon and the foot thing, my training miles had been very limited in the month leading up to the race.  I also had a round of laryngitis that triggered my typically dormant asthma.  Happy to be running...this was to be my mantra.  I started my watch and then didn't look at it again until I stopped it at the finish line. 

DRC Half 2009 -- the only picture I could find from that day!

The DRC Half has gone through some minor modifications this year in order to keep pace with the competitive half marathon market in North Texas.  It is the one of the oldest halfs in the country, starting back in the 1970s as a build up race for the Dallas White Rock Marathon (also starting in the 1970s).  The race's new features included a 6-year medal series depicting various landmarks around White Rock Lake.  This year the medal and race shirts featured the White Rock Pump Station.  I really liked the changes to the course -- it was less hilly, but still hilly enough to be interesting and challenging.

2010 -- My fastest DRC Half yet at 1:52:50

I had a great run and felt fairly strong until somewhere around mile 10 when I had trouble getting a good, deep breath. I was pleased to see that my pacing stayed fairly even and I crossed the finish line in 1:57:23.  Not too shabby considering all of the challenges that I had faced in the recent weeks. 

Post race 2011 with Cat and Daniel in the beer garden...where else?!

The DRC Half post race scene is one of my favorites -- Norbuck Park is filled with people!  There is good food and the brew masters from Lakewood Brewery keep the beer garden  hopping.  We had a super fun time with Beth and Teal -- check out their run blog over at Life is a Run.

DRC 2012 mile 11ish....my wheels fell off!

I love to take a few moments each year and remember than first half marathon in 2008.  I remember volunteering at the same race at least 10 years ago.  I was not a runner then nor did I have any intention of becoming one.  I was, however, in awe of all of the people as they passed us on the course that day.  I thought that they were so cool and so tough and I wondered if maybe, just someday, I could attempt to run a half marathon.  Fast forward to the early summer of 2008 and my journey to become a runner began.  I started running because I wanted to "do something hard." I felt like I was cruising through life with nothing especially challenging going on.  I suppose I needed an outlet for all of the hard work and energy that I used to pour into my clarinet.  Running pushed me, humbled me, and showed me that I was stronger than I knew. I signed up for that first half marathon after a couple of successful 10K races. Five years and 42 half marathons later here I am...still learning so much about myself with every race.