* I have been horrible about blogging lately. To say we have been busy, is a massive understatement! We spent last week in Arizona (I hope to have that post up tomorrow night). We got back Thursday afternoon. I literally came home, unpacked and did laundry, and then packed for my race. I worked Friday, and right after work we headed up to Denver. I planned on blogging earlier in the week, but then Blogger was having issues. So, that is why there has been a major delay in posts lately.
Last Saturday, was the Denver Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon. This is the same marathon I ran last fall, although it was several weeks earlier and on a Saturday this year. Last year, my sister and I did some major training for the race. I had never ran that far in my life and our goal was to just finish. I think we ran it around 2:15. I thought that was an impressive time for my first 1/2 marathon. I had been wanting to run it again this year. Since Katy had Jameson in June, she did not have the time to train. My brother then suggested that we run it. I have been training so hard this past year and I am always wanting a new challenge. Since I had already ran a 1/2 marathon, I wanted to focus on decreasing my time this time. I trained for the race, but not nearly as much as last year.
We headed up to Denver right when I got off work on Friday. My brother, Joey, Ashlyn, and I all went. Dawson had a sleepover at his Auntie's house. We decided that he would get bored and would enjoy his Auntie's house more. Battling Friday night Denver traffic was not fun at all. We finally made it to the expo. The expo was a good time again, and I got a lot of great free samples. After the expo, we grabbed a quick dinner and headed to our hotel. We ended up staying at an Embassy Suites in Southern Denver. It was a great deal and the room was very nice. Ashlyn had such a good time being the only kid. We headed to bed pretty early since we had to get up so early.
We woke up at 4:4, but it felt earlier than that!!! My brother and I got ready and we headed for the race. On the way, I decided to power on my Garmin that I had charged the night before. I was very upset when I realized that it had failed to charge! I started to freak out. I am a runner that relies heavily on my pace during a race. I had a definite time goal in mind and I knew it would be hard to achieve if I wasn't able to see my pace during the race. We brainstormed many different ideas in the car ride. We found a parking lot very close to the start line which is at Civic Center Park. As we were walking up, we saw a McDonalds and they were open! Right when we walked in I saw an outlet. I have never been so excited to see an outlet before. I immediately started to charge my Garmin. We discovered that the McDonald's was perfect. It was a warm place to wait and there were nice, clean bathrooms. The race started at 7:15 and we stayed there until 6:45 so I could charge my Garmin as much as possible.
There were a lot of people as that start. You could just feel the excitement! Last year I was in corral 10, and this year I was in corral 3. I have to admit it was very nice being closer to the start line. I really didn't feel that nervous. My whole Garmin fiasco was so stressful, I was stressing about that and not the race. I knew that I would do better than last year, and I enjoyed not having much pressure on me. My brother told me I should shoot for an 8:00 minute average pace for a time of 1 hour 45 minutes. I knew it would be challenging, but I wanted to go for it.
The gun went off, and I started running. The thing about a 1/2 marathon, is that it is so far that you just kind of run, then run some more, then run even more. I made an excellent playlist on my Ipod, and I just cranked up my music and took in the sights of downtown Denver. As I ran, I started to remember more and more of the course. Around mile 4, at the top of the killer hill of the course, I saw Joey and Ashlyn. Seeing their faces made me so happy and it was just what I needed! I was amazing myself at how easy it felt and how I was able to hold my goal pace. Around mile 9 1/2 I started to lose my stamina a bit. I wanted so badly to slow down. The only problem was that I had done such a good job keeping my goal pace, that I knew I would beat myself up for slowing down. I basically had to just give myself pep talks the last 3 1/2 miles. It was enough to keep me going. I just kept on pushing it. When I saw that mile 13 mile marker I was on top of the world. I gave it my all and sprinted across the finish line. I was beyond ecstatic to realize I had achieved my time goal! I got my medal and all of the food they handout and found my family. We hung around the park for a bit and then headed to our favorite sandwich shop in Denver. My brother and I were famished!!!
What an amazing race this was. I have to say it was definitely in my top 3 of best races. I was amazed at how much easier it was for me than last year, despite running it much faster. Crossing the finish line at a 1/2 marathon feels just a little bit sweeter than a 5k. I hope to definitely do this race again. I am so blessed to have the best cheering support in the world, Ashlyn and Joey. Joey was beyond helpful in dropping us off and helping us. When we got home, he watched the kids while I took a 2 hour nap. When I woke up, he had gone to the running store to get me a massage stick to help with my sore muscles. He's the best!
I felt pretty good after the race. On Sunday morning, we went grocery shopping. As we were walking out, my foot started to hurt. It proceeded hurt more and more as the day went on. Ever since then, my foot has been killing me. I'm hardly able to walk on it and have not been able to run at all. I am still not sure what I did to it. I don't think it's a stress fracture, and I am praying it's only a strain. I am icing it like crazy and trying to really rest it. I am a little worried because I have a 5k in two weeks. I have to do well in this race. This race is the culmuniation of a 5 race series that started back in March. I am currently in 3rd place overall for the women. I have worked so hard to get there and I would be devastated if I couldn't run it. For the time being, I am resting even though it kills me not to run. I pray that it will be better in time for my race.
 |
| Here is Ashlyn jumping on the bed at the hotel. |
 |
| Here I am crossing the start line. |
 |
| Joey and Ashlyn hanging out waiting to cheer us on. |
 |
| Here is my brother coming towards the finish line. |
 |
| Here I am coming towards the finish line. I actually felt pretty good. I honestly feel way worse at the end of 5k's. |
 |
| Here I am giving it my all. |
 |
| Here is my official time and ranking. 173 out of 5325 women isn't too shabby! |
 |
| My brother and I with our medals. |
 |
| I love the medals this year! |
 |
| Ashlyn enjoying a Jamba Juice sample. |
