Last year, when I trained and walked the Ogden Half Marathon, I thought it would be a once in a lifetime event. I was plucked off of my couch, and did this super crazy, thing. I trained and walked a Half Marathon. I thought I would only do it once.
I was wrong.
For two reasons, I was wrong.
#1 Something happened. I felt something amazing. After the finish last year, I instantly wanted to do it again. It was hard. The training was hard. I didn't feel good immediately after the race. What was I thinking? But the feeling of accomplishment, was amazing! In my mind, the thought of crossing the finish line and knowing I had accomplished something that wasn't easy for me, and to have received that shinny award, (my medal), were exciting thoughts to me.
#2 I gained 10lbs from last year. After the race, I quit exercising again. Went back to my old ways. I had to do something drastic, or I would just get bigger, and more out of shape, and then what would my life be? I wouldn't be able to take care of my children. I wouldn't be able to hike, or vacation, or wear a bathing suit in public? I felt horrible, and looked horrible, and I needed something big. Something big and a little scary to work towards. People and a cause to be accountable to. I needed to train for the Half again.
So I started all over again. I asked Chris to do the race with me, so I wouldn't be alone. I mean, last year I had my mom and sister, and this year, no mom, and no sister.
Of course he said yes. My husband is a regular exerciser, and stays in shape. This I NEED to learn!
When I went to class with all the ladies I had met the past year, and new ones, I was in the class by myself, so I had to branch out more. Which isn't hard for me, because I love the social aspect of it all. I actually met, really met and learned about so many more women this year, because I didn't have my mom and sister to hang out with. I LOVE that I know all the ladies so well now, and I feel like I could walk with any of them :)
Weber in Motion group
Fast forward to race week!
I volunteered this year, to work at the Expo, where you pick up your Bib's, shirts, and bags, with some of the women in my group! It was a lot of fun, to be there the night before the race, and to see all the excitement and people that would be racing the next morning! Besides, I had to pick up mine and Chris' race packets anyway :)
One of my really good friends, that I've known since Elementary school was there also. She volunteers every year, and races most years, but was injured this year, so she wouldn't race. It's always great to see her!
Jen and I picking up our Bib's
Becky and I
Volunteering at the Expo
Chris and I set the alarm for 3:30 the next morning!
Last year I didn't sleep a wink, but I actually got 5 solid hours of sleep, this year, so I was feeling super great about that!
On the bus by 5:15am
I guess Chris had to go to the bathroom on the whole bus ride up, so his first priority was to hit the restrooms first thing. It took a long time, and we barely got out of line before the start of the race. Chris got cold waiting for the race to start, and was never able to warm up again, which is so unusual for him. So he had some issues with his bladder, and we ended up having to stop at EVERY porta potty, the whole way along the race.
At first I was freaking out a little, because I'd worked so hard, to get faster this year, and I knew we could beat my last years, time by at least 30 to 45 minutes! But once I realized that it wasn't going to happen, I just had to relax about all of the bathroom stops, and let it go. We were doing this together. He was doing this for me, and I love him for it! The only thing that mattered, was our experience together in his 1st and my 2nd Half Marathon.
Ready to go!!
Just as we were coming out of the canyon, I heard someone calling my name and cheering for me. At first I thought I was hearing things, because I knew that we had no family at the race. And as I got closer, I saw that my friend Becky, who I had seen the night before at the Expo, was sitting there out in the rain under a huge umbrella cheering me on! I know she was there for some of her family, but it was so fun to have someone cheering for me, that I almost started to cry! She took this picture of us passing by. And gave me some fun motivation to finish the last part of the race strong!
I don't think I realized how much Chris was sacrificing for me.
He told me later, that he almost wanted to quit and just let me keep going, because he felt so horrible.
His hands were Ice Cold and frozen from start to finish.
I guess he never really worked hard enough to get them warmed up.
And his bladder was wrenching in pain.
I'm not sure if I could have kept going if I had felt crappy.
At each potty stop, I would watch all of my friends walk past us, and wave to them. I would start to get a little cold. And then we would get back to it, and I would just get warm, get into a great stride, and feel like I was going well. We would pass up all of my friends that had passed me while we were stopped, and then, the next potty would come, and we would stop and do it all over again. I think we passed, and were passed by some of my friends 4 or 5 times. That was our race.
Some of our official race photos :)
He told me later, that he almost wanted to quit and just let me keep going, because he felt so horrible.
His hands were Ice Cold and frozen from start to finish.
I guess he never really worked hard enough to get them warmed up.
And his bladder was wrenching in pain.
I'm not sure if I could have kept going if I had felt crappy.
At each potty stop, I would watch all of my friends walk past us, and wave to them. I would start to get a little cold. And then we would get back to it, and I would just get warm, get into a great stride, and feel like I was going well. We would pass up all of my friends that had passed me while we were stopped, and then, the next potty would come, and we would stop and do it all over again. I think we passed, and were passed by some of my friends 4 or 5 times. That was our race.
Some of our official race photos :)
And my favorite!
It rained the whole time. The high was 45? I could see my breath most of the time. Chris was Ice cold and in pain the whole race.
Another amazing day that I'll never forget! Something my husband and I will always share. Great accomplishments! By the way, even with all the stops, we beat last year's time by 11minutes!
Official Finishers Photo
I'm not complaining, but I want to jot down all of these memories, so that I will have them for later.
And at this point, once we stopped moving for good, the cold really set in. We couldn't stay to meet friends and take pictures, because it was just so cold. My hands got so cold at the finish, that I couldn't hardly feel them anymore. We were soaked from head to toe. And Chris was shivering uncontrollably. It was time to go home and get warm! :)
I'm so proud of Chris for hanging in there! He already said he might have to do another race with me, so that he can redeem himself, and we can find out, just how fast we really could go.
I think we averaged a 16 minute mile, even with all of our stops! That's amazing to me.
Someone I was huddled with under this tent at the end of the race took this for us!
And at this point, once we stopped moving for good, the cold really set in. We couldn't stay to meet friends and take pictures, because it was just so cold. My hands got so cold at the finish, that I couldn't hardly feel them anymore. We were soaked from head to toe. And Chris was shivering uncontrollably. It was time to go home and get warm! :)
I'm so proud of Chris for hanging in there! He already said he might have to do another race with me, so that he can redeem himself, and we can find out, just how fast we really could go.
I think we averaged a 16 minute mile, even with all of our stops! That's amazing to me.
Someone I was huddled with under this tent at the end of the race took this for us!
My mom spent the night and was watching the girls for us. We told them to stay home and not come to the finish. And because of the rain, I'm glad they took our advise! They made this super cute poster for us and it was waiting on the garage door, for us when we got home!
I am so glad for the Weber in Motion program. For the ladies that train with me. For the classes, and motivation and information. I have lost 25lbs and my walks/jogs are getting fun because they aren't as hard as they used to be. I love my exercise time. I enjoy jogging, the fact that I love how I feel after I exercise! I just hope I can make it a part of my everyday life. That I won't consider it a burden. Some days are harder than others, but I have to keep going! I am signed up for 2 more Half Marathons in the month of September. So that will keep me motivated over the summer.
I have more weight loss and other goals to achieve. Some of the National parks are putting on Half Marathons now, and I'd love to do them each at least once!
So lets get cracking!
