Run for it!!

Earlier this year I got the crazy idea to train for a race ... and the even crazier idea to make my first run a half marathon!! I found one online and got to work training ... 6 days a week at the gym made me feel like I was married to the gym!! But, on April 16, 2011, I ran my first 1/2 marathon (the Salt Lake City Half!) and I LOVED it. 

I was nervous going into it because I didn't really know what to expect or how well I would be able to handle it but I figured most of it would be a mental focus thing ... so, I talked myself up, prayed incredibly hard and headed to the start line! As we started running, I'm looking around at all these people about to run 13.1 miles and I'm thinking, "we're all crazy ... all of us! what are we thinking!?!"

But, I just kept running ... about mile 6 or 7, the Pandora on my phone decided to stop working, leaving me without any music for the second half of the run. That was awesome ... About mile 8, I hit a wall and just wanted to walk! But, I had a goal to not walk AT ALL the whole run so, I just kept telling myself if I could get to mile 10, I would be totally fine! And that was the case, by mile 10 you're thinking ... I only have 3.2 miles to go, I've got this. That is until you hit mile 12 which ... is UP HILL. That was a fun surprise! Here you've been running for 12 miles and then you get to go up hill! As I was running up the hill the first runner for the full marathon passed us, that was pretty impressive and gave me a boost!

Once I made it up the hill I had a mile left and it was mostly down hill so, I just pushed it and sprinted in for the finish. Once I crossed that finish line I couldn't believe I had actually done it but, I felt SO accomplished!! I had just ran 13.1 miles ... in 2 hours and 33 minutes. How many people in their lifetime can say that!? It was quite the experience. The next couple days my knees and back and hips hurt but, after the pain went away I realized I loved the feeling of running and accomplishing challenges (like running a half marathon!!) so, I've been looking for other races (10k & 1/2's mostly) and will run a few more this summer. It's just such a good feeling and I have never felt so healthy in my life!!

I love running and it is definitely my new addiction ... not to mention great therapy, it really clears my head!!

Here's a few pictures from the day. It was nice to have my dad here and see him and Kason on the side of the road every once in awhile cheering me on and then at the finish as I crossed the line. :)

Truckin' along!!! (prob around mile 7)

Sprinting to the finish line ...

Just finished!!!

Kason thinks my medal is pretty darn cool ... I don't blame him!