Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs, and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells can't. But you don't listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper can. And you discover that the person you thought you were is NO match for the one you really are.

-Anonymos

11 June 2012

Utah Valley 1/2 Marathon 2012



I didn't know if I was going to be able to run this race because A) I didn't train well and 4) I got Mastitis and a Sinus Infection the day before.  Oh the pain and fear of not being able to do what I had spent the last 2 weeks convincing myself I would at least attempt.  But I got the go ahead from the Doctor.  If I felt good when I woke up the next morning, then it was okay to run.

So, 3 am came sooner than I wanted it to, but I was feeling well.   A little tender, but well enough to head out to the course.  I got up and got ready.  A friend of mine picked me up and we headed out to catch our bus up the canyon.  We caught the bus and because I hadn't eaten anything before I left home, I felt so sick.  But my wonderful friend gave me half a cookie and I felt WAY better.

When I hopped off the bus all I could smell was SMOKE.  The heaters they had were barrels burning wood.  It was a little much for me that morning.  It was better when we walked past them all.  The 1.5 hour wait at the start line went really quickly.  I was glad.  And I wasn't too cold.

Then it was time to start.  All I could think was, "Just finish. Walk as much as you need to.  Just finish."  I was feeling great and had also decided that I would try to run at least the first 8 miles. 

It was exciting at the beginning of the race. There was music blaring and plenty of people ready to set PR's.  It was beautiful..  The first 8 miles went by super fast because of it.  Not to mention, it was downhill.  It wasn't too hot.  Just a PERFECT day for a race.

Me at mile 11: 
I'm so glad that I was able to run most of the race.  I stopped at mile 8 to call my Hubby and tell him where I was, so that he and the kids could be at the end to cheer me on.  (Yes, I made a phone call in the middle of my race)  Then I walked through all the aid stations after that to drink some water and suck on an orange or stretch a bit.  But besides that I ran the entire race.  I can't believe it.  But I'm super excited for the next one.  I'll actually train for that one.

I ran the 13.1 miles in 2:33:47

That made my split time 11:44/mile.  I'm so glad.  I just wanted to keep my mile time under 13 minutes.

I took 1913th place out of 2510.

186th out of 385 in my age group.

The goal next time:  To finish in less time.


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