Remember last time we did this, and I wanted to quit the last mile (but I didn't, by golly), but then when it was over I wanted to do it again and see if I could figure out how to not want to quit the last mile? You do? Aw, how sweet of you.
We ran the Utah Valley Half Marathon on Saturday. It is a fab race. I use the term "race" loosely, since I don't hope to beat anyone. 7 miles down beautiful Provo Canyon, then six down University Ave. in Provo- pretty nostalgic for li'l ol' me. The weather was perfect, it was shady for 99% of the canyon run, and even running down University was pleasant because of the cool, but not cold temperatures.
Facts:
- We beat our last time by over 2 minutes. Hoorah!
- At mile 10, my quads started to cramp and charly horse. I really felt good besides that, so I prayed for the last 3 miles. I prayed and prayed that I would be able to keep going and my legs wouldn't knot up. They had spasms the rest of the way, but didn't knot up. Overall, I felt waaaaaay better than last time, I just have to figure out all of these little annoyances that slow me down.
- Gu does not give me a stomach ache! Hoorah!
- Nils felt awesome the whole way. So awesome that when we got home, he signed up for the Deseret News MARATHON on July 24. I will not be participating with him.
- It's dorky to wear your race shirt on race day, but seriously, I'm not going to wear it around town so I don't really get that. Anyway, we're dorky so whatever.
- Nils is nice and runs slow with me, so I'll be curious to see how fast he runs the marathon.
- As we were getting close to the finish line, all these people were cheering like crazy, because the winner of the marathon was coming right by us. It feels good to get lapped by 13.1 miles. No it doesn't, that guy is a FREAK! But really, ya know, good for him.
- I was sick all week with the stomach flu, and Friday night I was cursing myself and my lack of intelligence in doing this stupid thing, having to wake up at 3 in the morning, etc. Why is this sort of thing appealing? Why? Anyway, I didn't want to NOT do it, because I paid 70 bucks to torture myself and roped Nils and my friend Jenny into it. So lame.
Okay, so overall I'm pretty pleased with how it went. I really felt like complete crap all week, and I didn't do very well training for it. The longest run I did was like 8 1/2 miles, so the fact that I felt stronger and beat the last time is pretty swell. And yeah, I want to do it again, but I really can't figure out why.
This race is really awesome. It was very well organized and the course could not be better. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in this sort of nonsense.
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| Right before the start. I like to call this, "We got three hours of sleep and we're idiots!" |
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| Don't know what's going on with my hand, but I was semi-delirious, so I need to not be judged. |
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| Mr. "I don't need to train for a marathon." Unbelievable. |
4 comments:
The fact that you WOKE UP impresses me. And put on RUNNING shoes. And drove to Provo.
I would have been rooting for you and jumping up and down like an idiot because I would have been so dang proud of you guys. Not to mention you both look adorable in your shirts.
You have no idea how much this is not me. If I tried a marathon I would drop over at the end of the driveway. Well maybe the street.
NICE WORK GUYS!
I am more than completely envious and impressed, seriously, 2 now 3 races. And that nils is almost digesting, "might as well run a marathon". Anyway, It's something I want to do, and I'm chubby at the moment so maybe I will thinking on training too! You have always been a runner though. What words of wisdom for me do you have. Good luck, your amazing!
I meant disgusting :)
I remember thinking how crazy it was that I woke up so early to do that race last year. Your pictures always crack me up. You look great though, even with the funny pose :) All that running is doing your body good!
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