How to turn 13.1 miles into 14.40!!

BUST!! 150:32.....14.40MILES!!! Garmin time.

"Maria V"Ecc 3:1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens... maybe it just isn't time for this race yet... Love you!!!!! (Facebook)..My father also gave me this same verse when he heard my results!


SOO thankful for each of you that posted and took the time to show me love and support. I have read your comments more than once. They mean soo much. Even though my goal was not achieved it was a reminder that I am encircled with some amazing people. I am so thankful for all the awesome words.

Well there is a first time for everything. And today was a FIRST!. The first time I ever got LOST during a race! I didn't even get lost 1 time, it was like 3 times and to the point I jumped in some random persons truck and she brought me to a half mile of the finish line!

It was supposed to be simple. Flat course. Perfect weather. Qualify for ING New York City. Goal time 137:00.  Ba ha ...What it was..was an adventure!

Carrollton  Michigan.The population was 6,602 at the 2000 census. This is a little town I had never heard of out in the boon docks. Michigan's farming community. Blink and you will pass it.
I was in their  school picking up my registration and saw the The Class of 1992 pictures in the hallway.. This was the year I graduated, we had a small graduating class of under 200. Carrollton High had about 35 students! 

I love people. The more people the more I feed off their energy. I am like a parasite..I feed off the excitement of others. I am a total EXTROVERT.

When running Chicago there were over 1 million spectators!

When running Boston there are so many spectators that you have to stratagize your pace or you could get carried off in the excitement and have potential to bottom out. 

Even when running Detroit you want to puke and die coming out of the tunnel but the mass of people cheering you on gives you a bolt of energy and pep bringing you back into a respectable pace.

Problem ONE at Carrollton ..there were no people! Ok..a few but no one running around me but a few stragglers. Less than 150 people ran this race total. I didn't have but a couple runners next to me to cheer on or be cheered on by and they were in their box.
The lack of people lead to another problem. I always have someone to follow. Someone who knows the course. Taking a wrong turn has NEVER been an option. 

Problem TWO. Poorly marked course. There was a road "Capital rd" that half marathoners were supposed to turn down. Yeah..totally missed it. I thought it was a water station. I just kept following the path. I am sure it was marked but when I am running I am in a zone ..blind but not deaf. I need VERBAL communication too. I have ran races where you split off from the marathoners and there is someone YELLING at EVERY runner. Never got that.
To make it worse I actually came to a 4 way stop and had NO idea which way to go. I had to stop and look behind me hoping someone behind me knew. The runners about 100 feet
behind me pointed the direction to go.

I was coming to mile7 and knew there was something wrong. I had this strong head wind coming towards me and was hitting a wall. I was ahead of pace which was good because this was holding me back a bit. But this was where I missed my turn. I was frustrated and hurting. I came around this loop at about mile 12 and got real confused asking the couple standing here if this is where I turn for the half marathon. They replied "Yes". And even laughed and said if you kick it into gear you can catch the girl in BLUE.
There was NO one near me. The girl in Blue was about a half of a mile ahead of me. So I missed my stinking turn and ended up somehow back to the couple! Totally irritated I said to them "I am running the half, where am I." They said, I am so sorry, those A******* were supposed to tell you to stay on the bike path." Yikes! Looks like I wasn't the only one upset.I looked at my Garmin and had ran 14 miles!!! They felt terrible. ING was by NOT gonna happen AGAIN.

The issue was now HOW DO I GET TO THE SCHOOL!!! And NO one KNEW!!! He pointed to a truck and a guy on a bike about 50 feet away. I wasted MORE time telling them the story all over again . I looked desperately at the guy on the bike and ask him if he could give me a ride to the finish line. He  point apologetically to his flat tire and said "I am so sorry I wish I could."  Then the lady in the big truck said, " We are waiting for someone also but we will take you there."

"..Entertain Angels Unaware."Heb 13:2

As I got into the truck they were so sweet. They felt terrible. I had peace with it at this point. Trying to Laugh through the Tears.
They dropped me off a little less than a half a mile from the finish. I put it in high gear to give the family a strong finish. But as I saw them I knew they knew something went terrible wrong.

Andy was HOT...Mad Hot. He had already gone looking for me and came back to the finish line. While he was at the finish line he witnessed a few people confused on where to finish. This only confirmed to him that if the course was like the finish my wife is probably lost.

HERE IS WHAT I CAN TAKE FROM MY ADVENTURE:

1. Running in the country is beautiful. When I realized I was not going to make my time and I had been lost to many times I decided to soak up the Beauty that God had given me. I took time to find gratitude even in my loss. I was after all fortunate enough to even run and have this opportunity. I was blessed to have family that believed in me and supported me.
2. This girl runs better with people ALL around. I think I am a big race kinda girl. I don't think I will do any more small runs. I really don't like getting lost and I really like having people smiling and pacing with.
3. Victory isn't always about getting the prize..It is how  we Define ourselves in the race. I felt so defeated, I was so frustrated, I just wanted to just QUIT. But I finished the race making it the WORST half marathon I have EVER ran!!...But I finished it. I finished for my boys to see, WE DO NOT QUIT. When things don't go as plan we follow through and keep our head up.
4. As for ING NEW YORK.."Melissa" my Boston Angel sums it up best."Lottery here we come!!"
5. I have an incredible family. They get up at 5:30am, dress for the cold and follow their mother off on her crazy dreams..NO complaints. They make signs and pray for their mom. They race all over the course trying to find her even when she doesn't show up at her scheduled time. Then when they see her 20 minutes late plastered with a fake grin they embrace her with love and support filling her empty love tank once again.  What can a more girl ask for?
6. "Debbie"  "Nita~You are never lost. Temporarily misplaced maybe, but never lost"...No "Debbie" I wasn't lost you are right. I was right where God wanted me to be. I do not know why. But it is bigger than me. I have Peace. I still want ING..but I have Peace.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Phil 4:7

Anita