Usually I am the runner/racer when it comes to an early morning out on the race course, but today it was my turn to spectate as my boyfriend Nick tried to take on the Oakland Half Marathon. I ran this half marathon last year, but I refused to do this half again due to the late start, 9a.m., last year it was scalding hot by 11a.m. Despite some major blisters and a side stitch he did pretty well finishing at 1:31:50, which shaved about 2 minutes off of his first half marathon in Big Sur. He did a great job even though he had some issues along the way.
In terms of being a spectator Oakland is a perfect course to cheer anyone on. I was able to walk from one side of the course to the other and cheer Nick on at the start, mile 9, and mile 12. I would have made it to mile 5 as well, but it isn't exactly the safest side of town to walk through by myself so I stuck around Lake Merritt. I'm very much a poster and flashy spectator kind of person, but to avoid embarrassing Nick I stuck to just cheering with my backpack of supplies. I even managed to meet a few people sharing stories along the way and they helped me cheer for Nick at mile 12. Cheering to me is very important because when you're really starting to lose hope and everything hurts its the people who are out there that know you can finish even if you don't think you can that keep me going. I remember during San Diego during mile 23 I really had nothing left in me, but I had people yelling, "Keep going Lauren, you're doing great!" I didn't know these people I just had my name on my racing bib, but they still encouraged me to keep going.
I'd like to send a shout out and big THANK YOU to everyone who has ever been a spectator or cheerleader, we all need you more than you think, you are what keep us going and what makes me want to kick my butt a few more times.
In terms of being a spectator Oakland is a perfect course to cheer anyone on. I was able to walk from one side of the course to the other and cheer Nick on at the start, mile 9, and mile 12. I would have made it to mile 5 as well, but it isn't exactly the safest side of town to walk through by myself so I stuck around Lake Merritt. I'm very much a poster and flashy spectator kind of person, but to avoid embarrassing Nick I stuck to just cheering with my backpack of supplies. I even managed to meet a few people sharing stories along the way and they helped me cheer for Nick at mile 12. Cheering to me is very important because when you're really starting to lose hope and everything hurts its the people who are out there that know you can finish even if you don't think you can that keep me going. I remember during San Diego during mile 23 I really had nothing left in me, but I had people yelling, "Keep going Lauren, you're doing great!" I didn't know these people I just had my name on my racing bib, but they still encouraged me to keep going.
I'd like to send a shout out and big THANK YOU to everyone who has ever been a spectator or cheerleader, we all need you more than you think, you are what keep us going and what makes me want to kick my butt a few more times.
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