Pittsburgh Half Marathon Post Race

I'm dividing this into 3 posts because I just wrote and wrote:
Before the race
Actual race
After the race (this post)

After the race, I caught up with Mandy and Jen. We got our picture taken by the official photographer and grabbed water/gatorade, etc. They kept everyone moving along. We also got our medals right away- I almost missed that because the people handing out medals were on the left and I had gravitated to the right.

They had some good food at the end: bananas, bagels from Panera, chips (didn't take those), fruit cups (I ate mine but it wasn't really that good), and smiley cookies from Eat N Park. Then we got a water bottle on our way out of the runner area. I wish I had grabbed two.

It was so crowded right at the end. There were a lot of spectators looking for runners and we just found a spot to crash next to some banners. We stretched a little and started calling friends/family to meet up. Dave was still walking back- he would have seen me at the end but a road was closed off so he had to find a detour. Greg ran the half and he also found us and we just relaxed for a little bit. I tried not to sit down- the sports doctor had told me after the race to stretch, walk it out, and NOT to sit down for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Jen, Greg, Mandy, and me

The thing that hurt worst was my toes by far. I didn't want to take my shoes off. I knew I wouldn't put them back on. I don't know how I even walked the end of that race- as soon as we stopped it was so hard to just walk again for the rest of the day. I was walking very gingerly, trying to stay more on my heels and off my toes. I don't remember really feeling much muscle soreness/pain, which again was surprising. I expected my left knee to be a mess.

I also noticed, even though I stopped at every water stop and hydrated a lot the week leading up to the race, I had a film of salt. I should remember that if I ever run a marathon- I might need to hydrate more the day of the race and just make sure I get in line to go to the bathroom early and often.

All of our names were on this sign.  I'm pointing to mine.

Mandy, Jen, and Greg ended up leaving but I really wanted to see Colleen and Ibrahim. I knew Sarah was also done with the half (she runs faster) but had no idea how to get ahold of her. Dave and I wandered around by ourselves, trying to walk it out and waste some time. I had signed up for text updates for both Colleen and Ibrahim so I saw when they hit 20 miles what their estimated finish time was.

Dave and me at Point State Park

See the sign in the background??

Ibrahim had been ahead but had major issues with his foot. He was running the full on a fractured toe. So Colleen passed him and finished first. It was hard to find her because there were so many people, but ironically she was at the same spot that Mandy, Jen, and I ended up after the half. At that point I also spotted Sarah waiting for Ibrahim and got the text that he had finished. So I went over to tell her where we were and that she should see him soon.

Everyone just kind of collapsed. Dave and I had sat in the shade but only for a few minutes, and both Colleen and Ibrahim sat down so I sat with them. We talked about how hot it was and how we were dumping water at the water stops on our heads. I was so glad I got to see them on race day.

The only posed picture with Colleen/Ibrahim/Sarah

Relaxing!  Colleen tried to get any shade she could

Just crashing.  Ibrahim ran the whole thing with a fractured toe.

Dave and I headed out shortly after that to walk back to the car. THAT took an eternity. This is the first time that I was holding him up. I made him stop a few times and I leaned against a building each time. I just kind of followed him even though I probably could have figured out where to go. He helped and picked the most direct route with the least amount of hills. I have no idea how long it took to walk back- I should have thought to time it. My toes were so sore. Dave offered to carry me, and to go get the car for me but I really had to go to the bathroom and wanted to use the bathroom in the building where the garage is. So I just pushed to keep walking.

When we got in the car I took off the shoe of the foot that hurt less. The blisters were massive and just the air touching stung so much. I was wincing. When I saw how bad it was, I made sure I left my other shoe on until I was in my bathroom at home. I was worried about the toenail and possible bleeding and didn't want to get blood in the car. When I did get home, I took off the other shoe and surprisingly I think the other foot had fewer blisters. Those popped open while running so they hurt more (and my toenails were all intact), and I bet I also started favoring that foot which made the blisters worse on the other foot. I also had blisters on other parts of my feet I didn't even feel because my toes hurt so badly.

And now I'm ready to sign up for my next half! But I'm going to work up with my new shoes so I don't have these blister issues next time.