Mercedes=best race ever

Let me just start off by saying that the Mercedes Marathon (and half) is the best race to run! Seriously. It's cold weather (ideal for running and setting PRs), a great course, and it doesn't hurt that it's familiar territory and I can sleep in my own bed the night before.  Last year I ran better and faster than I hoped for my first marathon, and this year, I PR'd in my half! And seeing a ton of familiar faces doesn't hurt anything either.  I love our Birmingham running community. So much.  Especially this girl who qualified for Boston today!!! So proud of her!  I told you it's the best race.

Thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield for the FREE entry too.  (last year I heard that they gave out a bunch of free entries about a month before the race, so we held out this year and sure enough, got them! $85 race for free! holla!)

Friday night we relaxed at home with a pizza, Saturday I went to the expo to pick up my number, Saturday night I carb loaded with some homemade baked potato soup and rolls, and today I ran the half before church.

I'd call it a productive weekend over here. Oh, and Kyle studied.  Guess who's back full time in school again?!!! So exciting!  Life is good.

I love going to the race expos with all the runners and booths and getting pumped up the day before! Side note though--- EVERY morning of a race, when it's dark and cold outside at 5am, I think to myself, "why do I do this???"  Every. single. time.

Then I get to the start line, run, and to the finish line and REMEMBER WHY.

Personal Record!

This race will always hold a special place in my heart and I plan on making it a tradition every year I live here.  As I passed all the mile markers this year, it felt like just yesterday I was running the marathon and I vividly remembered everything.