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!

8 miles

Today I ran 8 miles. I ran 8 miles one time with Blake last year. My experience this time was very different! 1. Blake was at home with the girls. 2. I have a sore hip that made it so I couldn't run like last Sunday. 3. I still did it!

Last year I would have used my sore hip as an excuse not to run. This year I am training for the San Fransisco half marathon and I only have 4 weeks left to train! No excuses and I want & need to run as many miles as I can before the marathon!

Besides the pain and being a whole minute slower than I was last week, I enjoyed my run. I enjoy the time to myself. It helps me to feel good & the only thing I have to worry about is making to the end. All of life just pauses until my run is over.

I am proud of myself for running. It is not something many people do or even want to do. I would never have thought in December of 2008 that I would have had a baby and 16 weeks later I would be running a half marathon!!!

I could never have gotten to this point without my family! I love Blake, Emma, Sara & Faith so very much!

7 miles

Today I ran 7 miles. It has been a year since I have done that! I distinctly remember running it. I ran by myself while Blake drove and gave me water and Gatorade at stops.

The biggest thing I remember though is how I felt about running! Last year I ran and I don't think I ever enjoyed it. I knew I needed to and I loved the sense of accomplishment after I ran. Blake ran with me a couple of times and he was so sweet it help me but I wasn't nice at all. It was hard and I couldn't talk, I just had to focus.

My run today was very different. I wasn't nervous about the run. I really can say I enjoyed it. I even felt like I could have chatted along the way! Faith was born 11 weeks ago and I am already up to 7 miles. The farthest I ever ran was 8 and it was pure torture. But i can't wait to run 8 next week.

I really don't know what changed other than having Faith. But I am glad it did. I may not be fast but I can say I am a runner! My average pace was at 12:38. That is awesome because I want to run my first half in San fransisco in 2hr 45 min. And 12:45 is the pace! So excited! I am already there so maybe I will be faster in 5 weeks!

San Fransisco half

I have been runnig again for 6 weeks. I have been doing pretty well! Last Sunday I ran 5 miles and I felt good. The miles are good I just want to be faster, and that will come with time!

So I thought I might do the San Fransisco 5k, but that is only 3 miles and I do that all the time! Blake and I talked and I decided to do the San Fransisco half marathon! 13.1 miles. I only have 5 weeks to train! I am excited but very nervous at the same time! I don't actually run 13.1 before I run the half, so that makes me a bit apprehensive. And I won't have anyone I know running with me. But it will be good. On July 25th 8:30am pacific time I will be on my way!

I am lucky to have my own personal running coach! He's awesome and I couldn't have a better one! Thanks Blake for pushing me and encouraging me. I love you!