I ran my first ever half marathon on Saturday and I think I caught the running bug! I have never been a big
runner but one of my friends suggested I try a half marathon and I think I laughed at the idea. But that thought
stuck with me and I thought, "Why not, this is the healthiest I've ever been. Better now than later."
I started training in January because running was something I did about once a week and it would only be
for 3-4 miles tops! For my first half I am so glad I trained as early as I did because I got sick and did not run
for a week or two. We went to Hawaii and I only ran 3 mile runs, 3 times. Later, I got a small injury that prevented
me from running for a week. Just small setbacks but since I had 6 months I wasn't trying to cram in all this
training. With that being said, it was a lot more running than I was used to and I was anxious for my half marathon
to be over because I was so sick of running almost every single day!
runner but one of my friends suggested I try a half marathon and I think I laughed at the idea. But that thought
stuck with me and I thought, "Why not, this is the healthiest I've ever been. Better now than later."
I started training in January because running was something I did about once a week and it would only be
for 3-4 miles tops! For my first half I am so glad I trained as early as I did because I got sick and did not run
for a week or two. We went to Hawaii and I only ran 3 mile runs, 3 times. Later, I got a small injury that prevented
me from running for a week. Just small setbacks but since I had 6 months I wasn't trying to cram in all this
training. With that being said, it was a lot more running than I was used to and I was anxious for my half marathon
to be over because I was so sick of running almost every single day!
The day started with waking up at 3AM and we were out the door by 3:40. Guys, I seriously have one of the best
husbands because he woke up with me and drove me to the race and he was not even running the thing! He walked
me to the bus and I was shuttled up to Tibble Fork. It was FREEZING! I'm talking about low 40's here with a
little wind chill. The weather this year is bizarre! I know it's colder in the morning, and then it's up the canyon,
but why in the world is it so close to the freezing point in summer? And it got a little warmer as the sun got out
and as I started moving but it never got hot. (To prove my point, we had a BBQ later in the day and I was wrapped
up in blanket because I was so cold.)
husbands because he woke up with me and drove me to the race and he was not even running the thing! He walked
me to the bus and I was shuttled up to Tibble Fork. It was FREEZING! I'm talking about low 40's here with a
little wind chill. The weather this year is bizarre! I know it's colder in the morning, and then it's up the canyon,
but why in the world is it so close to the freezing point in summer? And it got a little warmer as the sun got out
and as I started moving but it never got hot. (To prove my point, we had a BBQ later in the day and I was wrapped
up in blanket because I was so cold.)
The first 7 miles of the race were all downhill which was amazing! I have the app RunKeeper on my phone and
I have it set to tell me the miles I have covered and my average and current pace every 10 minutes and I
could not believe how fast the time and miles were going by! Thank you downhill! When I reached the mouth of
the canyon, Andrew, with my parents were there cheering me on and it was so fun to see them!
I have it set to tell me the miles I have covered and my average and current pace every 10 minutes and I
could not believe how fast the time and miles were going by! Thank you downhill! When I reached the mouth of
the canyon, Andrew, with my parents were there cheering me on and it was so fun to see them!
I was doing and feeling really well and ran 10 miles straight before I needed to walk! That is the longest I
have ever run before slowing down. From there I needed to walk more, not necessarily because I was tired (I was)
but more so out of the necessity because my calves were crying! I think it was all the downhills which I was not
used to because I trained mainly on flat ground with a slight uphill. It was a mix between walking and running
between miles 10 and 11 but when I got to mile 12 I told myself I was going to run the entire last mile no
matter how slow I went and that is exactly what I did!
have ever run before slowing down. From there I needed to walk more, not necessarily because I was tired (I was)
but more so out of the necessity because my calves were crying! I think it was all the downhills which I was not
used to because I trained mainly on flat ground with a slight uphill. It was a mix between walking and running
between miles 10 and 11 but when I got to mile 12 I told myself I was going to run the entire last mile no
matter how slow I went and that is exactly what I did!
I saw the finish line and I started to sprint hard. When I got there I realized that the finish line was not right in front
of me but around 2 more corners! You have got to be kidding me!!! I slowed down a bit because I can only sprint
for so long and when I turned that last corner I went hard! I saw the time ticking and when I saw where I was,
I was determined to make it before it turned into another a minute and I went faster. When I crossed that finish
line I was fighting the urge to not throw up and thank heavens it only lasted for about 10 seconds.
^Do you see my parents with in the observation area with their phones?^
of me but around 2 more corners! You have got to be kidding me!!! I slowed down a bit because I can only sprint
for so long and when I turned that last corner I went hard! I saw the time ticking and when I saw where I was,
I was determined to make it before it turned into another a minute and I went faster. When I crossed that finish
line I was fighting the urge to not throw up and thank heavens it only lasted for about 10 seconds.
I ran 13.1 miles in 1:57:58:55 and I am SO PROUD of myself!
I did not expect to run it in under 2 hours but I just barley did it!
^My parents came to cheer me on and kept popping up during the route.^
I loved my first 1/2 marathon! I went into it thinking this would be my first and only half and doing it to cross
it off the list, but I absolutely loved it and would do it again! I think I'm still on this runners high!
If anyone wants to do it with me next year, let me know! I went solo this time but I think it would be so much
fun to start the race with friends! I can't quite convince Andrew to run with me. haha.
^My dad was my running buddy near the end of my training. He pushed me and kept me running when I was dying!^
^My in-laws came to cheer me on at the end.^
it off the list, but I absolutely loved it and would do it again! I think I'm still on this runners high!
If anyone wants to do it with me next year, let me know! I went solo this time but I think it would be so much
fun to start the race with friends! I can't quite convince Andrew to run with me. haha.
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