13.1

This day was one of my most emotional and inspirational days. I started this journey last June when Jeff gave me running shoes for my birthday (so I would no longer have an excuse) and could barely run three miles. Then it grew to six and then to eight and I thought I wonder if I could run a half marathon? As the weeks went by, I grew sceptical but kept running increasing each week. (Well almost every week I did take a few breaks in there). Then it came time to register and I paid my money so that I would commit to doing the race. I am so glad I did.

The race started out a half an hour late and the suspense was killing me. I could hardly stand it. I just wanted to get going! Once the race started it was a pretty steep downhill and I was having a sharp shooting pain on the arch of my foot. I slowed down until mile 3 and then I looked up to see a line of people running up a steep gravel paved path up the canyon. I thought are you kidding? My friend, Teena the running guru, said miles 3-5 are uphill but I didn't think it was that uphill. As I was going up the side of this mountain (and the leaders of the race had gone up and turned around and coming down the mountain me like they had just started) I felt the burn in my legs and I thought I just need to get to the top and then I can go down. I was inspired by the people around me in there 50's and 60's who were doing this. I was also inspired by Teena and Brittney who also passed me and said you are almost to the top. Thanks guys! Once I got to the top and came down life was good. From mile 6-10 I was feeling awesome. I took my gel to give me a boost and had made up a bunch of my time from the hill. At the end of mile ten I had a moment with myself. I started to cry and think I am really doing this. I have talked about it for so long and have wanted to do it for so long I am accomplishing my goal. Mile 11 was rough it was alot of ups and downs but I was at 2 hours and had plenty of time to finish. So I thought, the last two miles took me an additional thirty three minutes which is about 11 minutes longer than normal. My calf cramped and I was pooped so I walked and ran the last two miles.

As I reached the final stretch, Brit came over to cheer me on and then I heard "go Mom you can do it!" I thought that sounds like Ryan's voice. But I knew they were home and it couldn't be. I looked over to see my family at the finish cheering me on! Jeff had packed up the kids and drove to Cedar City the night before and then drove to St. George that morning to watch the finish and surprise me. I couldn't believe I started crying and trying to run and crying some more. It was the nicest thing Jeff had ever done for me. He knew how important this was to me and how hard I had worked and in his words "wouldn't miss this for anything!" I love you!

I also learned the importance of girl power on this trip. I never would have done this without my Saturday running partner, Brittany, and my go to girl Teena. You guys are awesome and I am so glad I have you as friends. Thanks for helping me acomplish my goal, you both are awesome!

So I said this was my first and last half marathon. However, I think I have been struck with the running bug. Sunday night I came home and was already looking at the upcoming races. We'll see what is next! Maybe one day 26.2?

I will post my pics once I figure out how to send them from Jeff's phone to my computer!