My Half Marathon

Oh my, what have I gotten myself into?

5 months ago, when my sister Jen emailed my mom and I and asked if we wanted to join a group of Women at WSU, (Weber in Motion), to train for and walk the Ogden Half Marathon, I didn't even reply.  Both my mom and I ignored the email for about a week.  Until Jen finally asked us, what was up.  Are you kidding.  I hadn't done any sort of exercising since I got pregnant with Ruby.  Hmmm, about 2&1/2 years.  I was seriously out of shape in a bad way!  I really needed this, but a Half Marathon, are you crazy!  Long story short, my mom and I reluctantly said yes.

It's been a journey that I'll never forget.  We met twice a week.  Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings, to learn about nutrition, health, exercise, etc..etc... 

We met a lot of amazing people.  Whom are now my friends.  And even a week before the Marathon I said that this would be a one time gig.  But, I think I've already changed my mind :)  After accomplishing something this amazing, it's an emotional journey, that's hard to explain.  Something that I am in LOVE with!  

I keep looking at the pictures.  Remembering the workouts, the classes, the R A C E!! 

I am missing it already....

Here is a picture of the group.  

Our race shirts, the Wednesday before the Half Marathon.  Our last class.

We had a training schedule to follow.  We exercised 5 days a week.

We met on Wednesday's for class, and some Strength Training.  Julie Story kicked our butts with some killer workouts each Wednesday night.  And on Saturday mornings, we would all walk together.  Our walks worked up to 11 miles at one point, and then tapered off to 6 miles, the Saturday before the Half.  We walked in the cold, the sun, and the rain.  It was awesome! 

Then it was Friday night, before the race.  Time to pick up our Bibs and Bags for the race!

Some of the ladies in our group were volunteers.  It just so happened that we picked up our Bibs from our friends :)  Mom took Jen and I to lunch before we went to the Expo.  Mom bought us some cool Cel phone holders, Jen bought us matching headbands, I bought some race jewelry.  We had a great time at the Expo.  And we were ready for the big day.  

 I didn't sleep at all that night!  I seriously think I got maybe 2&1/2 hours of sleep.  I went to bed at 11:30pm, couldn't sleep, and woke up at 3:30am.  We had to be downtown on our bus by 5:20am.  

The race map!  

The Half, started at Eden Park and went down Ogden Canyon, and ended at 25th and Grant.

WSU doesn't mess around!  Look at the luxurious bus they took us to the starting line in.  

And we got to sleep in and extra 30min.  Everyone else doing the race, had to be downtown on the buses by 5am, and rode yellow school buses up the canyon.  

We're ready to do this!

Before the start...  

A sea of people at the starting line...

My Bib.  I thought it was awesome that they actually printed your first name on the Bib!!

And so, it was here!  The day we'd been training for, for 4&1/2 months!  The day we had been dreaming about.  I had pictured this day for a long time.  How it might go.  And every time I thought about coming across that finish line, I got tears in my eyes.  

We had to stop at the Bathrooms before the race started.  I've never seen so many Porta Potties in my life!  Not all in one place anyway.  Us, and half of the other racers were in line to use the bathrooms before the start.  Good thing they had as many as they did.  We were supposed to start with our group, but got caught in the back when the race started.  

Somehow, we were walking an unusually fast pace.  Partly because Jen was walking with us.  She really kept us going.  We eventually passed a bunch of different little groups within our big group.  And I took pictures of each of them as we passed them.  I have so many amazing pictures of the race, that there's no way there will even be half posted to the blog.  But I'm going to make one amazing scrap book to commemorate the occasion for sure!  

One side note...  Jen could have run this race in half the time it would take Mom and I to walk it, but she decided to walk with us, because it wasn't about how fast she could do it, it was about the three of us starting this, and finishing this together.  About the experience we would have together on Race Day!  I'm glad she stuck with us.  

Before I knew it, we were on mile 7!  What?  This day I've been waiting for is Half over already... It's going by way too fast.  I've got to savor every moment!!!!!!

About mile 9, I hit a wall.  My ankles and one foot were hurting.  Jen was encouraging us, all cheerful and such.  I told her I might have to punch her in the face.  

I had to stop and adjust a sock.  

Chris just happened to call to see where we were and it made me get weepy.  

My mom gave me some Tylenol and told me to put my music on.  And that's what I did.  I was back in the zone!  

Around mile 11ish, a blister on my Mom's foot popped!  We stopped to put on new bandaids.  My amazing mother walked the last 2&1/2 miles of the race with a broken blister.  She is so much tougher than I am :)

Yay!  The waterfall!  We were coming out of Ogden Canyon.  Amazing!!!

A sign left for us by our group, encouraging us even more....

Jen, Mom and I all knew a lot of people, neighbors and friends racing also.  

My friend Becky.  I've known her since Kindergarten.  Glad I saw her at the expo, because I couldn't find her on race day.

My neighbor and friend Jenny!  Amazing that we found each other at the start line!

My and my friend Patti!  Also amazing that we found each other at the start...

I know that both my Mom and I were pretty tired the last 2 miles of the race.  

My mom got really hot!  We had to pour water down her shirt and on her head.  She really fought to the end.  We all did.  

We had so much family waiting at the finish for us! 

Monica & Kayla.  Dad.  Doug and the kids.  Cord and his boys.  Chris and my girls!  

They all took some fantastic pictures of us finishing the race!!  

WE DID IT!!!  13.1

I'm a different person now.  I've done a Half Marathon!  I'm so proud of myself.  It's a good feeling.  I'm filled with pride for my accomplishment.  I still cry when I think about it.  I already miss it.  I already want to do it again!  I'm so sad that it's over.  At least for this year.  I think Chris wants to walk it with me next year!  I can't believe I almost said no.  

I almost said no, because it was HUGE and SCARY!  Because I still have a lot of weight to loose.  

When I started, I could barely walk around the block.  And I just walked 13.1 MILES!  

I'm grateful for this time that I've had to spend with Jen and my Mom.  Special time and experiences that we won't ever forget.  

I'm so Happy!!!

We'll see what happens next year :)