Half Marathon Re-cap

I am wondering how many Facebook friends are on the verge of de-friending me due to the excessive amount of half marathon status updates and pictures!!!??!? Sorry folks, a re-cap is oh so necessary.

The half marathon was such an experience! I am so happy that I decided to do this. My goal time was 2 hours and 30 minutes and I finished in 2 hours and 24 minutes! YES!

I was so worried about the weather. The night before we did the Kid Run and it was FREEZING outside. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to run in that kind of weather because that was what was forecasted for Sat morning.

When we got to the race it was COLD! Everyone was bundled up with gloves, hats, etc. I decided that I would want those warm things off after a couple of miles so I was going to tough it out. We lined up for the race and started getting ready. The sun came out and things started warming up. The wind was slightly blowing and the sky was so blue. They said a prayer and we started the race. There were so many people there cheering and I cranked up my music. A Point of Grace song was up first and I could feel God there at that race. It could not have been a more perfect start. I have re-played those moments in my head a hundred times.

The first few miles flew by (well, if 10 minutes a mile is flying by) and then I started settling in and doing some thinking. I have decided that running a half marathon is very close in comparison with childbirth/pregnancy. Here is why:

-The crying. Oh my goodness! I did not think I was going to cry during the race! I got choked up when it started, when I saw my parents at mile 5, friends at mile 8, sister & kids at mile 8 1/2, and then again thinking of that finish line and Scott and the kids waiting for me.

-You prepare for it for a very long time and then when it gets here it takes what seems like forever to finally deliver the finish.

-Side pains, contractions=same thing

-Pregnancy sucks out brain cells & so does running. I have done more bonehead things since I started training than ever before. Just ask Scott. No don't.

-Clumsy. Did I trip on a cone? Yes I did. But just one.

-You cannot walk for the next 3 days after it is over.

-Bladder control

-You are appalled when you see the pictures of yourself because you are much bigger than you had realized.

-You push at the end and then it is all over! Although a metal is nothing compared to a newborn baby.

-Even though it was rough you are so glad you did it

If I could do this, then ANYONE can. Next up: Little Rock Half March 2010. Who's in?

On a side note...we got our family pictures made by my friend Becke' this weekend. If you need pictures, then she is the person to call....check her out at www.luluphotographyco.blogspot.com/

Stuff

Well, the Race for the Cure 2009 is in the books (we missed you Aunt Sandy & Brittany!). We had a fun time as usual. It was much different for me this year since it is usually a get away weekend since I previously had no girls to bring. Morgan came and did great! She actually slept through most of the race, but that was for the good! I didn't want to carry her 3 miles! It was packed with women and a sea of pink. We are always emotional when it starts as we remember Mom's journey through cancer & chemo. She is such an inspiration! We did it every year before her cancer, but now it's all for her--including wearing any silly get-up she has for us. I've seen ladies with giant flamingos on their heads so I'm not complaining! Ha!

Here are a few pics...


In other news we have had the flu at our house. It started with Ethan and lasted almost a full week. A few days into his Morgan got a fever and hers was an ear infection. NOW Reece has a fever. Will we ever leave the house again!??!? It is horrible and just lingers around for days and days. Ethan was so so happy to finally go back to school today. Thank heavens I went to the Race and had a night away or else I might be losing my mind by now.

You can tell we have been in the house for a week because as I did laundry today I noticed that it is nothing but sweats and t-shirts. Hopefully we can make it to the pumpkin patch next weekend. If not, then I may have to take the kids to Kroger and take a picture of them standing in front of the big pumpkin box.

The big half marathon is only FIVE days away. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I have trained for so long that I can't wait to run that race and FINISH. I think I may wear my metal all day long since I never in a million years thought I would be able to run that far at once. My friend told me that if I get the flu this week, then she is going to rent a wheelchair and push me all 13 miles herself since I have done all of this training. Now that's a good friend! :)

I ran 10 miles yesterday. They say that if you can run 10 then you can run 13. Do they not realize that it is an extra THREE whole miles?!? It doesn't quite make sense since I felt like I was going to pass out after 10 yesterday. I also ran into 3 spiderwebs and got chased by a dog. I will be ready for a running break after this is over. The dog about put me over the edge. Seriously.

T-minus 3 weeks

It is now less than 3 weeks until the big half marathon! I am getting excited and also nervous. We have been pretty busy so running with the training group has been difficult so I am left to do most of my runs on my own. I like to run with the group because it keeps me going. When I run on my own I zone out and slow waaaay down resulting in horrible times. I know that times don't make a difference because I am obviously not trying to win the race. BUT, when you get out there some sort of competitive nature shows up and you can't help but want to have a decent time. I guess for bragging rights.

I went to a baby shower a few weeks ago for a good friend from high school that I hadn't seen in a while. I told her about my running. She then reminded me of something on her thank you note that just about killed me. She reminded me of our 7th grade track coach. This lady was something else. She was VERY into sports and I definitely was not. I was chunky and only there to socialize since all of my friends were in athletics. She used to call us all by our last names and scream at us pretty much constantly. My friend told me that during the race if I need some extra motivation, then to remember that coach screaming "POSKOCIL, my 80 year old grandmother can run faster than you!!!" Let's face it, she was right. That definitely did not motivate me then, but I think it will now. Ha!

I love the month of October and look forward to it every year. Soccer is in full swing, the weather is cooling off, and I love all of the fall decorations. Race for the Cure is just around the corner and I can hardly wait to spend the weekend with all of the girls in my family. This will be Morgan's first year and I love that she will have this event to look forward to each year.

I have no big deals or no pictures for this post. I did learn today that you should not throw your husband under the bus on Facebook while he is at work. Tee hee! :)