Half Marathon

For the past year or so, I have gotten really into running. I never, ever was really into it before and when I did it, it was just for exercise. And while exercise is my main purpose for running, it's also become a time for me to destress and relax, believe it or not. Being the second oldest of seven kids, the time and money wasn't available to be into sports AND music. I took inventory of my obvious strengths and weaknesses in those areas, and decided that while I really enjoyed sports, I was a better musician (especially because my favorite sport at the time was basketball and I was 5'1"). So, needless to say, aside from some church b-ball- I've never really been in any kind of sport. I would never have defined myself as an athlete, but since I've been running, I've really fallen in love with the feeling that athletes get when they accomplish their goals. The only difference is, you are mainly your own competition. It's all a mental game where you push yourself to your limits and beyond. At the beginning of this year, Marc and I joined a gym which made working out and running a little more convenient (I could now drop Miss Tana off in the gym care and not push a jogger) and so I decided I wanted to train for a half marathon. Even when I had found out I was pregnant, I continued to train because I wanted to accomplish this goal. After the miscarriage, I kicked it into high gear and I was READY for this half marathon.

Last Saturday, May 2nd- I ran my first HALF MARATHON! I set three goals for myself- to 1)Finish under 2 hours 20 minutes 2)Run the entire 13.1 miles 3)Finish in the top 1000 runners. And much to my own surprise, I met all my goals. No better feeling. The final results were:

Time: 2:03:02

Overall Ranking: 616 out of 1838 (top 33%)

Female Age Group 25-29 Ranking: 48 out of 207 (top 23%)
Average Mile Time: 9.24 minute miles

Details of my run: First off, it rained the entire time, but with my hat and waterproof jacket, it actually made for pretty nice running weather (except for the soaking wet feet). It was nice and cool and the rain was refreshing. Anyway, I started out and five minutes into it, I had to go to the bathroom. I told myself, if by the time I saw the 5th porta potty, I still had to go badly, I'd stop. And I said a little prayer-and I don't even remember thinking about porta potty's after the 2nd or 3rd one I saw. Around mile 5, my i pod started acting up and I started to panic. I can't run without music. Luckily, I got it working again. Around mile 8, I could feel my blister on the inside of my foot. Mostly a dull pain. By mile 10, I felt as though I was running on shards of glass and I looked down to see that blood was seeping through the mesh on my right shoe. At this point though, I had made it so far that I was willing to do whatever it took to finish the race running...and I did.

Now that it's over and I'm nursing my feet a bit- I'm getting ready to run the Race for the Cure 5K on Saturday with my wonderful husband and I could see competing in runs becoming an addiction for me. I can't say I'm ready to try a FULL marathon, but it's definitely an idea I'm toying with. In the mean time, I'll keep running-maybe a little less hardcore, because although I love to be a runner- I'd like to be a mother of two here soon! :)

I knew a lot of other women who ran the race as well- some from my old ward in Elk Grove whom I had a carb load dinner with the night before (thanks again ladies for the invite! It was so nice to catch up with you!) and then a bunch of women from my ward here in EDH whom I started out the race with. Here is a pic of most of the girls from my ward (I don't know what happened to Erin...I swore everyone was there for the picture! Bummer!)

Me, Julie, Amie and Jen! These girls did AMAZING in the race! Julie just had a baby about three or four months ago! Amie finished around 1:56! Jen, a Boston Marathoner, ran just coming off of having the flu and Erin (who sadly is not pictured) beat us all with a time of 1:53. Thanks ladies for your motivation, friendship and company!

Marc said I was going too fast (haha-yeah right) for action shots, so I don't have any of me running yet (there may be some from the course that the photographer got...I don't know yet).

The victory pose! I couldn't stop doing it-it just felt like the natural thing to do! :)

My very first athletic medal...and hopefully not last!!!

I was proud of myself. Sorry if that sounds cocky, but I was. I think you have to be proud of yourself every once in a while.

I think Marc was pretty proud of me, too. Okay, I know he was...it was a really cool feeling to see my husband be proud of ME for an athletic event for a change.

My little protoge...she told me she wanted to run the race too. One day, sweetie, we'll run together!

My amazing sister who came out in the rain to support me! And bring me sustenance. A banana never tasted so heavenly.

My mom came too-but due to parade traffic in Elk Grove, missed the finish by only moments. I didn't get a picture with her, but I'm grateful that I have a mom that always makes the efforts to be at all of her kids events.

And last of all-my lovely, soggy, bloody, blistery feet-(I know you're all DYING to see these pictures)

Overall it was amazing experience and I'm so excited to finally call myself a runner!