I ran my second half marathon today, a race called the Ghost Run on one of those rails-to-trails courses (a few miles on asphalt, too). I finished in 2:10, sort of disappointing because I hoped for an even 2. Realistically, however, my insane schedule kept my longest training long run to 7.5 miles (I try to get in six days of five milers). I had to keep telling myself to trust my fitness for the last five miles of this race. It is the first time after any race that I got sick (thankfully when I got home), but that's what I get for having the chili afterward.
Due to last week's epic storm, it was muddy in parts and there were some large branches to avoid, but our town crews should be proud of the work they did to clear the course. CL&P could take some lessons.
Oh, and I have Raynaud's, too, so I layered knit gloves under some Under Armour gloves courtesy of a football coach who is a friend. I did not see any barefoot runners. One woman told me she was wearing her "minimalist" Brooks.