The Run

Okay, where do I start. Okay, at 3:30 am when I woke up and ate breakfast. Cherice picked me up, where we met Becca, Jon, Donnarae, and Beau to drive down to Provo. We got there and picked up our bib's and hopped on a bus to the top of South Fork. Beau was WAY too chipper for a 5am bus ride! ;) We got up there and there were a million port-a-potties set up. We went to the bathroom, and then waited around for the race to start. I'm telling you, runner's are a different breed. They were running all around this field. I kept telling Cherice, "Do they know the race hasn't started yet? What are they doing????" It was set to start at 6:30, but it was obvious that they were going to be a little late. Cherice and I decided to get started. We knew there was no chance we would win and didn't want to be too behind everyone. We went by the time on my watch, so it wasn't ruining our real time. It turned out good we started early, we were actually able to see all of our friends and family as they ran past us! :)

Once the real race got started, I was seriously amazed. All these SPEEDY people FLEW by us. Literally flying. I really enjoyed watching all of them. Their stride was huge. I seriously thought they were going to face plow it they were going so fast down the hill.

I learned 2 things from this race. People who told me there were no hills were TOTAL LIARS! There were at least 4 hills that I was not happy about going up. Also, I didn't feel any adrenaline, or excitement about running an actual race. Just wasn't there. If anything else, it stressed me out. I must not be competitive enough --okay, or at all. Cherice and I did AWESOME up until about mile 8.5. We had just run about 2 miles on concrete, and Cherice's knee was starting to hurt. We stopped to go to the bathroom, and it was a 10 minute wait, and afterwards it just wasn't the same. My foot I had hurt last week, was really acting up. I started limping/running and my hip started hurting for compensating for my foot. It was brutal. I'm pretty sure I WANTED to give up. I think I swore a lot too. The worst part of the race for me, was when we got to the parking lot, we could see the finish line, and we had 2 miles left to go. On an aching body, it was torture. We had already decided that pain or no pain, we would sprint the last stretch, and were really wondering why we had our families be at the end. Thinking they would be embarrassed of us, and having them to see us hobbling in just under the 3 hour mark. As soon as we rounded the corner and they started yelling, I started crying. Cherice looked at me and said, "Okay, it's definitely worth it that they're here". It was. We plastered smiles on our faces, and ran to the finish. I grabbed 2 cups of water, and went to find my family. I started crying. I don't know how I did it. I can honestly say I NEVER want to do it again. I am up for 10K's, just no more half marathons!

I am happy I did it. I feel like it was such an accomplishment to set a goal and have to work on that goal for 7 months straight. I am very disappointed of how I did. Not time-wise, but how my body held up. I feel much more proud of the 11 miles I ran a few weeks ago.

Did I survive? Well, yes and no. I had a photo-shoot after my race, and did that and came home and took a Tylenol with Codeine and took a nap. My foot hurt so badly, it woke me up numerous times during my nap. When I woke up, I went to the doctor. They took an xray but didn't find anything and told me it was ligament/tendon damage. They gave me an ankle brace to wear and suggested I see a sports medicine guy, or a podiatrist. I woke up this morning, and literally couldn't walk. I wore the brace to church, and afterwards took off the brace and realized not only is my ankle swollen, but my whole foot is swollen now. Looks like I'll have to go to a podiatrist tomorrow.

I am alive, yes. But, I don't know when I'll be able to run or walk again for that matter. That's disheartening. Here are photos from the event. Excuse my outfit. I wasn't out trying to win a fashion show, just trying to wear what I would be most comfy in. Turns out, I chose the wrong shirt. I should have worn my flourescent green tank top.

BUT...I DID IT! I finished a half-marathon. I went the distance. I did something in which 8 months ago, I NEVER would have dreamed I could do it. I honestly don't remember the last time I set a goal, and completed it. It literally took hours of training. I'm so grateful for Troy who encouraged me, and has taken care of me, the kids, and the house the past 2 days. I am also so glad he was at the finish line cheering for me. It made it all worth it! I can't believe I'm posting pictures. For posterity, right?

This is our group that ran. From left to right, Heidi, Donnarae, Jon, Becca, Beau, Cherice and me.

This is us running for the finish ine. Pretty sure we're only smiling cause we saw our families!Those ladies you see running just in front of us, we called the camou girls. We were pretty much neck and neck the last 4 miles. At about 1 mile left, they started running, and I told Cherice they were jumping the gun. We were able to pass them at the VERY end. SWEET!

Hey, did you know I just completed a half marathon?