I'm a half marathoner!!!

I ran my first half this morning. The day started with Blake leaving for his marathon. Sara was awake at 4am, and couldn't go back to sleep. I laid by her, and she finally fell asleep. Then Faith woke up to eat. During this time I was sleepy but mostly ready to go. I fed Faith and "rested my eyes" while she ate. She got done at 6:10 and I needed to leave by 6:30. So with Vicki's help, I did.

I got to the bus that would take me to my start line in Golden Gate Park. I met Jamie. She is from Anehiem, and lives next to Disneyland. She was a nice lady and was fun to talk with. We stayed together until the race started. She was walking & I was running.

While we were waiting for our wave to start, we watched for Blake. The marathoners ran right by us. I was watching and found him. I waved and when he got closer he came and gave me a kiss! It is just what I needed! I had never run my first race by myself. I was so nervous. But when I saw him, I knew I could do it!

My plan was to run a 2hr 45 min half marathon. Which means I would run 12min 35sec miles. Well I started running and I was running 11:45. I thought my watch was broken!!! I ran that the whole way. I felt awesome. I didn't get sore until the last 3 miles. The Golden Gate Park was beautiful! It was a wonderful way to see San Francisco! So my time on my watch was 2:35! That's 10 minutes faster than my goal!

I am a very blessed woman! God has given me three beautiful and healthy daughters, and a husband who loves, supports & pushes me! I am so grateful to both Blake's family and my family, who cheer us on and make it possible for us to do what we have come to love...Running! I am truly grateful for all of my blessings!!!!

12 miles, check!

Today was my last long training run! I did it, 12 miles! It's the furthest I have ever run. Not as fast as I wanted but that is ok. I am not far off the time I want to run! My hip is still annoying, and hopefully with a little rest it will be better. Now I taper until the half marathon in San Fransisco in two weeks.

I can't believe it has come so fast. I remember when I decided to run this race. Now it is two weeks away! I can't wait!

I had the greatest help today! Blake, Emma, Sara & Faith came and helped me. It made my run easier, and they cheered me on. I loved hearing Emma & Sara cheer, "go mama go"! I am so grateful that I have such a great and supportive family! I couldn't do this running thing without them!

10 miles!!!

I did it! I ran 10 miles this morning! This 193lb, 33 year old woman did it!!! I got up at 4 and then left at 5am. I am thankful for having my own coach that lives with me! I couldn't do it without Blake. He gets up with me and gets me all ready to go. It takes most of the nerves away!

Last Sunday I ran 8 and I was tired but it felt pretty easy. This week my legs felt like I my thighs were made of stone! It started at mile 6. I really didn't know if I would physically do it. Mentally I would NOT let myself stop, even though I really really wanted to! My fear was that if I did stop, that I would not be able to finish.

I realized I have NEVER EVER purposely put myself through that much pain! But I also realized I was mentally stronger than I ever realized. And during this last month, that is something I needed to realize!

I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband and that he is my best friend. I have three beautiful girls that are so sweet and loving! I am grateful for all I have!

I DID IT!!!!!

P.S. Next week is 12! Ahhhhhh:)

Wow what a run!

So I haven't been feeling very good lately and I have had a sore hip. Tuesdays run was better than Sundays because my hip hurt less and I was 30 sec per mile faster. Today's run was a tempo run. I was supposed to run one mile warm up, run 3 miles @11:53 and run 1 mile cool down.

I started out ok. The first two miles are the hardest for me. Then I got in a groove and felt great! I ran as fast as 11:48. I was so happy! Plus my hip didn't hurt! Yay!!!!! And it was 60 degrees. Even better!

So I didn't cool down at the end, I just kept going until I got home. I really felt good and the run was awesome! I never thought I would be here after having Faith 3 months ago! I am so proud of myself!