Starting Line, photo by MommaGFunk

The City of Roses Half Marathon was held on Sunday morning, September 19th in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The race, sponsored to the Cape Girardeau Road Runners was my first half marathon, and its proceeds benefit local running programs, specifically those programs designed for youth runners.

A half marathon is 13.1 miles in length, but the City of Roses course was technically 13.2 miles of main roads, side roads, Missouri riverfront roads, historic downtown streets, and asphalt biking trail through a city park.

photo by MommaGFunk

This was my first half marathon, and I’m glad that I chose a race that was local for me. As I ran through the streets of Cape, good memories of various places in the town came to mind. Those memories ranged from middle school summer band camps at Southeast Missouri State University with my best childhood friend to memories of having coffee with one of my best adult friends on a grassy hillside in Old Town Cape this spring.

The course was mostly flat, although the last three miles or so were more or less a long, low-grade uphill. The weather was fantastic; mostly overcast with temps starting in the low-60s and ending in the mid-70s when the race was complete.

Mile 11ish, photo by MommaGFunk

I’m not a competitive runner, so I hung toward the rear of the group, hovering at around an 11:54 pace and finishing the race in two hours and thirty-six minutes flat. I finished tenth in my division (ages 25-29) and 195th overall out of 215 half marathon runners.

Finish Line, photo by T

I feel fantastic about the results of the race. A year ago, I never would have dreamed I’d run a half marathon, and sixth months ago running more than five miles sounded like an unconquerable feat.

My hope with A Small Town Girl’s Guide is – in part – to challenge my readers to look at life differently and find the courage to try new things. I hope that my half marathon training helps you have faith in your own ability to achieve new goals.

Even as recently as Sunday morning, I wasn’t sure what to expect; Would I be able to run the full 13.2 miles without stopping to walk? Would I finish the race at all? Had I trained well enough? How tired would I feel after the race, and how sore would I feel at work on Monday?

Sure, I was a little bit sore on Monday at work, but on a whole, I feel great. Each time I look at the finisher’s medal that’s hanging beside my back door or at the racing bib number that’s taped to the office wall where only I can see it, I’m reminded that we’re all capable of more than we’ll ever know unless we try.

iluvlocalplaces.com and MilliGFunk, photo by MommaGFunk

A huge and heartfelt thank you goes to Janet and Wes Wade at iluvlocalplace.com for being my official City of Roses Half Marathon race sponsor. If you’re ever looking for suggestion of things to do, places to go, or sights to see in or near Cape Girardeau, Missouri, iluvlocalplaces.com is a great resource to familiarize yourself with.