Vinny had agreed to take Jacs, Abigail, and I down to City Hall for the race but has been kinda sick lately and so wasn't able. Sue came to the rescue and was outside the church 5 minutes after we called her! Praise Him! We piled into the car and headed for town - which was already full of highly energetic people in running gear. The atmosphere was electric! We had to walk a short distance to the starting line as most of the roads had already been blocked off.
There were several different races taking place; Marathon, Relay Marathon, 10K Walk, & the Fun Run. The Belfast Dream Centre had one relay team (made up of 4 people) running. Jaclyn, Emma, two teens from Loft Youth - Jason & Abigail, and I were all signed up for the Fun Run (approx. 3.2 miles).
After those running in the marathon and the "walkers" took off our group got set up at the starting line. The rain had stopped from earlier this morning but already I could feel a slight sprinkle happen. Ha Jason was SO nervous! (Though he was in denial) Around 9:20am our race began. "What do I do?!" Jason cried out as all the runners started to move forward. . . I smiled at him, "uh, you run Jason." And with that he took off and that was the last I saw of him until the end. We all kinda got lost in the flood of people all heading down the road. So I stuck in my headphones and tried keeping my focus off my sore ankle and onto my two-song playlist.
The run wasn't near as bad as I thought it'd be! I made it in 27 min! So proud of myself! Every one of our runners did an excellent job! Sue was waiting for us at the finish line! She seriously is a legend!
I had told Hannah earlier that I'd wait for her at the finish line (she was the anchor runner for our relay team.) It was exciting being on "this side" of the marathon as I was running it during the last one I was at. I enjoyed cheering people on and seeing the first runners cross the finish line.
The guy who came in first was from Ethiopia and finished just under 2 hours & 14 mins! UNREAL! Our relay team did exceptionally well - finishing in 3 hours & 55 mins (392nd place in the relay division out of 2067 that finished) So proud!
It wasnt easy waiting tho for Hannah but Abigail and I stuck out the cold COLD wet rain. I'm pretty sure it's the coldest I've been out here to date! Sue and Jacs had the car all heated by the time we got there - So nice! And then Sue took us all (Jacs, Abs, and I) out to eat (I got soup which really hit the spot) We all wore our Marathon t-shirts - I know we only did the Fun Run, but hey with Julie a run is a run. Period.
Alan and Rachel are leaving for holiday on Wednesday so they invited me to stay the night since I havent seen them much since being back from America. While waiting for Alan and Ben to pick me up I inspected my ankle. It faired the run beautifully and I then realized why - I had somehow taken FOUR motrine instead of two. . . hmmmmmmmm now how did that happen? God must've know I'd need it.
I'm at the Kirk's house now, they have all gone to bed. I had a lovely time with them as always. Got to hold my wee Joshua who is growing bigger by the second! And of course play with Benjamin who always puts a smile on my face! Plus today is Monday so Rach and I got to have a girl's night and watch one of our shows. Ultimately a really chill and relaxing evening with a family I love.
Have a busy week tomorrow and I am thoroughly exhausted from today's adventures so I'm gonna head to bed.
Goodnight all!
-J
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