Granite grinder half marathon + 1 extra mile. This is a great race. It's the 3rd time I've run it. Apparently I keep forgetting how tough it is until after I hit the finish line. This time I ran with my running partner's 19 y\o daughter. We had a 2 hour drive and I was told that she like really old music like that from the 80's. Sigh. To my credit I didn't push her out the door after that comment. Can I really be old?? Nah! The first half of the race lulls you into a bit of an ego trip where you think, wow, it's not so tough. I can do this! I really am wonder woman. Then you run over to the other side of the park and it is a totally different story. Hills, rocks, granite slabs that you run up, creek crossings, mud eating shoes. I tried to hold my little friend back some during the early miles but the second half still had a way of kicking our bum. I tried to teach her that when things get bad/feel bad then try to "embrace the suck". She of course thought I was nuts....not an original thought. We cross the finish line and have a great finish line picture of us jumping for joy. This race has a great post race party. This year they went above and beyond. Some mexican food joint was a sponsor and supplied the best chips, salsa, huge chicken burritos. I'm all about food after a hard race and this totally hit the spot....as did the beer of course. :) All of this fun was followed up with a 2 hour drive back listening to the "oldies" on the radio. ha! | 