Cheryl is the Big Winner!

It is about time that Cheryl got a "Win" in something.   Up until today, she has pretty much been a "Loser" all Summer.   So, as the odds play out, today she managed to turn that losing streak into  something more profitable. 

As you may know.. if you read the previous blog post...  Cheryl was to run the Clinton Half Marathon today. It was supposes to be in the low 90's with hills, heat, humidity, frequent bathroom breaks, and a "Loser Mentality" that I was supposed to cover for.  By lowering expectations,  Cheryl is allowed to crash and burn and people will not get too upset about it.  

BUT!  In typical fashion,  Cheryl manages to pull off a big win just to make me look stupid.  Yes,  I managed to reverse reverse,  double negative, psyche her out into actually being successful and winning!  So really,  All the credit should be give to ME!   But, I will show a little humility and let her have her day in the sun.  

But let us get into the details, shall we? 

The hotel was only about three miles from the start line, so we could actually sleep in a bit more than usual.   We visited the convenience store and picked up some pop, coffee, and a couple donuts before the race ( this is important, as Cheryl's donut may have been a key part of the success today. )   We finished them off in the car and headed to the start line.  Cheryl had been complaining that she has been missing her diet coke in the morning AND the lack of sugar about 7 miles into the races.  The diet coke mostly provides the caffeine hit she needs in the morning. And the donut provides the Sugar  hit for the mid race. So basically, this is breakfast for runners.

It didn't take long before the folks lined up.  It was a smaller race with 5K, 10K and Half-ers all mixed up in the same line.   The national anthem was sung and the gun went off!  

I thought I was only going to be able to see her at the start and then the finish line.   But as we picked up the packet yesterday,  one of the directors told me all I had to do was follow third street and I could see her multiple times.   And that is just what I did.  With Diet Coke in hand, I was able to bring ice cold beverage mixed with Caffeine to mile 4, 6, 7, and 9!  Even though Cheryl said she didn't need any more after the start... She certainly changed her mind after mile 4. 

The support for the race was top notch.   Lots of cheering, police, and aid stations to keep people hydrated.  At mile 4, Cheryl was in the lead.  There was only one female ahead of her and that runner was enrolled in the 10K.  As I raced towards mile 6,  I made a mental note of the closest female.   She was nearly a 1/4 mile behind her!  

Mile 6 to mile 7 was a dogleg area where Cheryl could see how much lead she had.   With a lead that huge,  she actually put forth a bit more effort.  Add in that I was refueling her in addition to the water stops, and she had a good chance of winning it! 

And that is exactly what happened!  Cheryl came in first female in a half marathon!  This is a first for her.   Her time was not even that bad, considering what happened last week AND the hills,  heat,  humidity,  Frequent bathroom breaks, and her "Loser Mentality." She is like the girl in High school who complains she doesn't know anything before a major exam... And then finishes 10 minutes ahead of anyone else with a 100 % score.  ( Everyone knows that person... Am I right? ) 

So she got an extra medal.  A certificate of awesomeness.   AND  a $100 dollar bill!   Yes!  MONEY! 

This is the second time she has won money.   This is the first time she has won a half marathon outright!   And for a brief moment in time... she was happy.  Almost as happy as I am, since nothing makes me happier than winning cold, hard cash.  But I will will show a little humility and let her have her day in the sun. 

Other take-aways:  The beer was awesome.   A Bikini bottom Ale.  A refreshing beer with a hint of Vanilla.  The Race was well done and the people were friendly.   They even allowed us to exchange her race shirt for one that fit me.  ( She wanted long sleeves, but I like the short sleeve ones.)  The route was scenic and not as terribly hilly as they had warned.   So overall,  a very well run race.  It was like a little gem hidden in a semi small city of Clinton, Iowa.  Cheryl would highly recommend.  Unless you are a better runner than she is... And in her age group.   In that case,  there are many other wonderful races that are not in Clinton Iowa.   

Thanks for stopping in!  And hopefully your weekend was as productive and profitable as ours was.   ( $100 Dollars!!!) Maybe she should start racing for money more often.  But that would mean that I would have to do a lot more work as support.   And as it was, I missed all the pictures because I had to lug around a 32 ounce diet coke everywhere.  It is far easier to simply take pictures.