Sometimes a song hits home...

Today I was listening to Spotify and a song came on that really hit home for me.  Lee Brice's Song "Falling Apart Together" tugged at my heart strings.  When things are going on in my life there is no one I would rather "fall apart together' with than Matt.  Give it a listen, it might mean something to you too!

Round 2 HERE WE GO!

So I have jumped on the crazy train!!  Yep, I have signed up for my 2nd Half Marathon and this one will be rough!  It is called Hospital Hill so you can only imagine what is in store.  This time around I really am looking to just finished especially with all the hills!  I have about 4 weeks to train so I will be doing a lot of hill running!

Wish me luck!

13.1 and Done!

I DID IT!  I ran a half marathon and lived to tell about it!  It was the most amazing experience and I can't wait to do it again.  The training was not good but the race was WONDERFUL!  If you could not tell I am pretty pumped about it.

FINISHER!

The day started out early with me checking facebook updates all morning because it was storming and I didn't know if they would postpone or call off the race (which I was not hoping for...or maybe just a little).  Matt and I had some breakfast and I could barely eat because I was getting so nervous but I knew I had to get something in my stomach!  His parents got ready and we all headed out the starting line.  We got there about 7:05 which was a little later than I had planned but it was ok.  We found a parking spot pretty quickly and then we head in.  I was getting more and more nervous as we walked closer to the start.  I of course had to go to the bathroom and the lines were forever long but I new if I did not go now I would have to stop along the way and I was not willing to do that because I would lose time :)  It is hard to hydrate but also know that you need to be empty to run 13.1 miles!  So I got in line and Matt stayed with me and cracked jokes to help lighten the mood.  With about 4 minutes till I was still in line and they made a call over the PA system which in turned helped because some people made a mad dash to the start line WITHOUT going to the restroom!  I thought that was kinda silly since your time does not start until you cross and I know they were not going to be winning it.  I just stayed in line for the fact that I wasn't racing to win and I knew my time would not start at the gun but when I crossed.  The gun went off and a few more people got out of line to start running so I was finally able to get in and get out!  Took all of about 1 minute past the gun start.

So I got going and it starts raining, and I am not meaning a light mist, I am talking full out rain!  Big rain drops that kinda hurt when they hit you.  It was pretty fun but not something I had ever though I would do.  I had a pretty quick first mile so I knew I needed to slow down if I was going to make it the whole way.  Matt made me a playlist that I had not even heard until race day.  I did not realize that I didn't have it going until around mile 1!  HA, so I finally got the playlist going and it was fantastic!  He is so funny and was able to make a list that he knew would help me keep pushing on.

The rain is still coming down and there are puddles all over the course plus mud now, but I was still having fun! Around mile 5 I got to see Matt and his parents.  It was a nice sight just to see people that were supporting me and the fact they were standing out in the pouring rain just for me, that is a great feeling!  I was still making pretty good time although the next few miles I slowed down more than I wanted to.  The rain really started coming down during miles 6-8 and it was cold so it didn't make for fun running.

As long as I didn't think about the rain, as hard as that was, I was ok.  I had a blast and felt great!  Mile 8 came around and it was my second chance to see Matt and his parents.   The course looped so they stayed in 1 place and I got to see them twice!  They were soaking wet when I past at mile 8 but it gave me that last burst of energy that I needed to finish out the last 5 miles.  The course was mostly flat with just a few hills.  I rounded the park for mile 12 and felt like I could kick it in but for some reason I thought I had 1.25 miles to go not just 1.1.  I didn't start to kick until almost mile 13 but then I knew I was so close that my adrenaline went into overdrive!  I got chills and it was AWESOME!  I crossed that finish line hands in the air and a big smile on my face.  I can not wait to run another one!  The pouring down rain didn't stop me like I thought it would.  I crossed at 2:11:48, which averages around 10:00mile.  That is WAY faster than my long training runs and blew my goal (2:15-2:20) right out of the water!  I can now cross "Running a Half-Marathon" off my bucket list!

It's FINALLY here~

Yep it is the week of my very first HALF MARATHON!  I can't believe that the time has finally come for me to cross this off my bucket list...well I still have a few days but I am confident I am going to do it this time.  I have trained several times for this and each time I got hurt but not this time!  The week is here and I am feeling great.  I can't wait for Sunday to be here so that I can get the first one under my belt.  I am sure once I get this one done I will be hooked!

This past weekend was so busy with K-State Open House, Junior League Next to New and Tyler and Annie's Shower that I did not have time to run my last long run until Sunday.  It was great!  I felt good the whole time despite the 22-25 mile per hour winds!  This gave me the confidence booster that I needed after my week of not so good runs.  I know how I need to fuel myself for the run and I can't wait to see what I can do and what I have in me for Sunday.

I am sure this is how I will feel on Sunday but I am so READY!

Next week's post will be a picture of me with my FINISHER medal!!!

Birthday 12 Miler!

Yes, I ran 12 miles on my birthday and it was great!  I know it is weird to say that running 12 miles was great but for me it was.  The last 2 weekends I have had really BAD long runs and felt like there was just no way I was ever going to be ready for the half marathon in a few weeks but after this weekend, I know I can do it!  It is going to be tough but I have it in me to finish and not walk!  I am pretty excited.

I had to wait a little while to get start on Saturday morning because it was storming but that did give me time to have some wonderful birthday pancakes from my hubby!  Probably not the best pre-run food but I didn't care.  After we check the weather forecast and saw that there was no more rain on the radar I got ready and headed out the door.  This time I took some energy chewables from Powerade with me and I really think those helped.  Matt came to check on my around mile 6 to make sure I was doing ok.  He gave me a little pep talk and then headed back home.  As I was rounding the corner on mile 11 I saw him again.  He was waiting for me, gave me some water and then I was off to the finish.  It felt great to get those 12 miles in.

I had a little companion for part of the run.  Since I live out in the country it is pretty typically for dogs to be running loose.  As I was running past a house their dog decided that I needed some company and it was at a great time.  It was around miles 6-8 that he keep up with me.  My route is an out and back so the dog was with me about a mile past his house and then I turned around heading back towards his home.  I thought once we reached his house again that he would not follow me but I got about another half mile down the road and he was still with me.  I figured that he would probably follow me all the way home so I turned back around and took him home.  His owners were apologetic but I told them that I enjoyed having a running partner for a few miles and it was no big deal.  They were really nice and told me to come by any time!  So that was fun.

So I got the 12 miles in and now it's tapering down until the big race on April 29!  I can't wait to get my first half marathon under my belt.

10 Miles!

Wow I can't believe I actually ran 10 miles this past Saturday, but I did!  It was such an accomplishment but it was also SO HARD!  I never thought the miles would end.

Matt was so sweet because he got worried about me so he headed out on the 4 wheeler to come and find me.  He found me on my last mile sucking wind but it was the last bit of motivation I needed.

Miles 1-4 were pretty good, and I was enjoying the outdoors and exploring the lovely town of Paxico.  My music was great...although I now know I need a longer play list, the water was working and I felt good!

Miles 5-9 terrible!  It might have been because for most of that I was running on a slight incline and the wind was right in my face and it was getting hotter.  I tried to focus on my music and not think about the miles but the problem I have is once I get into my head it is hard for me to get back out.  I talked myself into a downfall and it was not good.  I kept saying there is no way I can do this, I am so slow, this is so stupid....and many more bad things.

Mile 10 I found some energy and probably because the hubby came with his encouragement, some ice cold water and I stopped for about 30secs to take a drink and talk to him.  Once I got back going I had a hill to get up and then it was smooth sailing.  Once my garmin beeped it's lovely beep at me for the 10th time I thought I might cry!

So I made it and it wasn't pretty but I made it.  A few hours later my legs were pretty tight and a little sore but after a good nights sleep I was feelin good.  Running by yourself is hard!  I wish I had people around here to do these long runs with but I live out away from so many people that run it's not possible to run together.  Maybe I can convince Matt to get a bike so he can at least keep me company!

St Patty's 10K

This past Saturday I ran the St. Patty's 10K here in Manhattan, KS.  Let me just say it was such a fun race BUT it was HOT and WINDY!  The race did not start until 10:45 which is pretty late for most races and by that time the wind was about 20mph and it was in the 70's!  Needless to say I still had a good time. My sweet hubby was such a trooper also!  He went into Manhattan to support me by sitting at a bar drinking green beer and watching the K-State game.  I have to give him credit though because he did wave at me as I passed by the window after I finished the 10K!  Love him :)

I tried hard not to go to fast at the beginning or even during the whole race because I knew that after the 10K I still had 2 more miles to go on my long run day.  It was pretty tough to stay at a consistent pace because I kept wanting to go faster because I was feeling pretty good!  But I did the smart thing and didn't speed up.

Me, Leslie and Zoe after the Race!

I finished the 10K in 62 minutes and then went on to finish the last 2 of my 8 miles on the schedule.  It was a tough day but it was an accomplishment to say the least.  My first 10K race and the farthest mileage I have ran.  So far training has been going great.  It has been fun to be back on the streets running again and really enjoying it this time!  I am trying not to think about time's just thinking about not walking.  I mean obviously I have a time in mind that I would like to finish in, but I don't want to harp on that and get down on myself if I don't make that.  Just finishing the half marathon and not walking is my biggest goal... :)