The race actually began BEFORE the actual race. With the streets closed, it was crazy trying to get off the highway. My husband came with me and together with a long line of runners in cars, we sat on the highway exit ramp. People were getting out of cars on the ramp and running to the start line. I took this as an opportunity to not start with the huge group so I stayed in the car. By the time we got closer to the parking lot, it was almost start time, so I kissed my husband later! and ran for the start line.
The actual race was pretty crazy. I was doing well, then at the 8K mark, I had a UUUUUUGE (so huge, the H doesn't fit) cramp. It was enough that I had to literally stop...it didn't help to walk. So I stopped, forced myself not to cry, and yelled to myself (mentally) to GET. IT. TO.GETH.ER. I finished the race cramp-free after that. It was so weird for me to get a cramp -- I almost never get them.
The course traveled passed a lot of really big houses, and there wasn't any looping, so it was nice and scenic. The things I found challenging were that some parts were so narrow so you had to go single file and that the finish line was sorta hidden so you didn't have much of an idea where to start sprinting to the finish.
It was a great race though, and I'd definitely do it again.
