Half Marathon Recap

About 10 weeks ago my friend Anna texted me asking if I wanted to run the Seattle Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon.  I agreed and convinced Sarah to do it also.  Since then, I’ve been working hard getting in as many training runs as possible.  The race was last Saturday, and I couldn’t be happier with the results!

Anna flew in Friday and we met in Seattle to get some last minute details in place for the bridal shower we were hosting Saturday afternoon for my future sis-in-law, Erica.  We headed to the expo and picked up our packets and then went out for dinner.  Saturday morning came quickly.

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We all started together and kept a comfortable pace for the first several miles.  Eventually Sarah and I fell in together.  By mile 7, I was getting super hungry.  I hadn’t experienced that sensation in my training and started to feel frustrated.  I was glad that Sarah was with me because we supported each other and pushed through the miles one by one.  Mile 8 passed and I tried to put down a gel.  I was really struggling mentally.  My legs were tired, my feet hurt, and I was hot.  Eventually we made it through to 9, then 10 and 11 came quickly.  The last part of the race is along Highway 99, there are sweeping views of the Puget Sound and cars were honking and waving as they drove by.  Tons of racers were stopping to take photos.  Sarah and I pushed through the uphill and FINALLY rounded the corner to the last stretch of the race.  There were tons of people lining the course cheering for their family and friends.  There is a short down and then a steep uphill.  I could feel Sarah steps behind me and we both started to sprint.  I was scanning the crowd the whole time looking for Rory and just as I passed him I heard him yelling.  Crossing the finish line was emotional, but I felt so proud of myself, I couldn’t help but smile.   Anna finished shortly after us and we all met to walk back to Sarah’s apartment to get ready for the bridal shower.

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I finished in 2:32:14 via my watch and 2:38:07 via the timing chip, Sarah was 2:38:08, which was awesome considering she hadn’t been training much.

Overall it was a blast and we’re already scheming our next race!

xx

-h

This Challenge is Making Me Stronger

Welp you guys, tomorrow is the half marathon!  I’m nervous/excited.  I feel prepared, but don’t know what to expect.  My friend Anna is flying in from Utah today and I’m absolutely thrilled to see her for the first time in over a YEAR.  Anna and I lived together in what I affectionally refer to as the “Wanna Tappa Kegga” house, us and 5 guys in SLC.  It was like the Real World meets ski bum life.  And, before that lived together in the dorms. Needless to say, we’ve been through a lot together, and I can’t wait to face this challenge with her.

I already mentioned that this will be Sarah’s 2nd time running the Rock n’ Roll Seattle Half, so she’s our veteran and will be showing Anna and me the ropes.

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about mantra style thinking and when I saw this on Pinterest via Elle Noel, I knew I wanted to share it.

 

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If you’re participating this weekend in the Rock n’ Roll, Ragnar in Utah or any race – GOOD LUCK!

Have a great weekend!

xx

-h

Half Marathon, I guess I’m doing that.

Last year S decided to run the Seattle Rock n’ Roll half marathon.

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She almost convinced me to do it with her, but at that time I wasn’t in a very good place mentally (or physically) – weird how those two go hand in hand.  I’ve been working out harder lately and trying to eat better plus running a bit, so 2 weeks ago when my friend Anna, who lives in SLC, texted me asking if I wanted to run the Seattle RnR on June 22, I agreed grudgingly and messaged S to see if she would also be interested.  She said she would but with many stipulations – like the fact that she isn’t required to run the whole way, hoping she at least runs with me for the beginning!  I’m two weeks into the training and it’s going pretty well. I had my first ever 3 miles of straight running that actually felt fun and relatively easy.  I know there will be days that don’t feel like that though, like my first “long” run last Saturday, where my breathing was awful, and then I turned the corner to come up the “big” hill and the wind was blowing right into my face and I actually had the thought pass through my mind, “Am I even moving right now?”  I know that if S could do it last year, then I can do it this year because we’ll be supporting each other.

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I’ve also been reading a lot more about eating clean (along with everyone else in the world in seems like).  The hardest habit for me to kick is and always will be the sweets. This girl loves to bake, loves candy, and loves fat kidding up things that are good for you…like skim milk (mmhmm add that nesquik) or fruit (also add nesquik).  But, I’ve been setting some weekly goals, simple ones that are seemingly attainable.  “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants” – Michael Pollan

I like Pollan’s 7 simple rules because they are just that – simple.  A good reminder to slow down, enjoy your food and eat products that are quality.

Wish me luck and healthiness in the next 8 weeks, I’m planning on training to 12 miles, so I’m going to need to learn patience and endurance – quickly.

Be well, be wonderful!

xx

-h