13.1 Miles.....Yeah, I did it!

HALLOWEEN HALF 

Yes I know this is a super braggy title but I figured with all the time and effort I spent training and working my tail end off, I deserve the right to brag a little! Before I started training, the longest I had ever ran was a 10k (6.2 miles) about 10 years ago. Most of my running usually entailed about 3 or 4 miles on the treadmill.  I decided to challenge myself and push myself harder than I have ever done before. I started really training about 2 1/2 months ago. Up until a week before the race I didn't know if I was going to do it because I had gotten really sick and hadn't been able to do my last long run. I decided I had worked too hard to give up and my goal was to just finish. I did better than finish, I actually placed in about the middle and averaged just a little over 10 min/mile. It took me 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Halloween Half is the second largest race in the state (almost 2200 people in just the half). The race starts at Sundance Ski Resort and comes down Provo Canyon. The run was beautiful but very, very cold! About 26 degrees! My muscles kept wanting to tighten and my right knee started to really bother me for the first time ever. I had to stop about 4 or 5 times and walk because of it. I didn't want to hurt myself and cause more serious/permanent damage. I'm doing good though, and as soon as my knee starts feeling better I'll get back to running and maybe do another half marathon come spring. Is a full marathon in my future? I don't know, I never thought I'd run a half marathon so we will see!

Part of the race was dressing up in costume! I went as a black cat because it was easy and comfortable!

Darrell Ann Smart (Our Running Idol), My Sister Taylor, Her Fiance Chris, and I

THE SIS' TAS

Brandon looking good! He's lost over 20 pounds and I'm so proud of him! Swimsuits on the beach in Maui- here we come!