This weekend was the Mini Heart Half Marathon! It's a race I was hesitant to sign up at first due to it's difficulty. I'd heard many things about the 13.1 mile route but was told by numerous people it's awesome preparation for the Flying Pig.
I went ahead and signed up for 3 reasons:
1) My father is a heart-attack surviver and thought I'd be GREAT to run in honor of him.
2) It would be great training for the Flying Pig Marathon in May
3) My running buddy, Erin said she'd run it with me :)
So we signed up and started training, it fit nicely with our 18-week training program for the Flying Pig. In my time running with Chad, BJ, and Erin I've been challenged in my pace, I've been pushed, and felt the burn in my legs, abs, and calves. It's so awesome watching the transformation of my body and the changes that dedication has brought. I knew I wanted to set a PR (personal record) but didn't want to set myself up for failure... so I took a few weeks to think about my goal for this race.
Running has taught me so many things, it's also given me a lot in return... more than I could have ever imagined. It has completely changed the way I eat and view food. I've always struggled with dieting, my weight, and making healthy choices. There were few foods I use to not like at ALL that are now part of my weekly diet: tomatoes, kale, and avocado. These are now favorites! Don't get me wrong, I still love my sweets and pizza but when it comes down to it, my body is at it's best when I'm fueling it with power foods.
I've also learned that abs really are built in the kitchen... Food is fuel and it can either slow you down or be exactly what you need!
Friday evening, we went to Erin and Mark's house for a carb loaded dinner. We made a killer dinner, so yummy. I thought I was going to burst everything was so awesome.
Saturday morning, I woke up and made a big breakfast... it was so good. Savannah was BEYOND excited. She absolutely LOVES omelets and pancakes :)
Spinach & onion omelet topped with cheese and tomatoes, whole wheat toast, pancakes with almonds, fruit, OJ, and coffee.
Saturday afternoon, Savannah and I headed to the Expo @ The Duke Energy Center to pick up my race packet. Savannah was VERY excited about going downtown... she said; "I'm going downtown and winning a trophy!" She thought all the big buildings were awesome and very confused about the parking garage.
One of the great things about signing up for races is that there are typically kids races on Saturday. The Kids Run was at the Expo at noon, so I asked Savannah if she would be interested in running. Obviously, she said yes. And she was so proud of herself. She ran in 2 of the runs (which were super short) but got her very own "trophies".
Can you tell she had a blast and is super proud?
Saturday we kept it pretty low key. I did a lot of eating, stretching, and hydrating. Saturday's weather was beautiful. We had sunshine, it was like 65 degrees, and just beautiful. If only we'd gotten that Sunday :/
Sunday morning, my alarm went off at 4:30am, it's RACE MORNING! There's so much excitement that comes with race morning. Sadly, I had to put on my 2 pairs of thermal pants, 3 shirts, and grab my gloves, ear warmers, and neck warmer (just in case). I ate my whole wheat toast with jam and 2 bananas, then headed to Erin's house.
Mark dropped us off at Fountain Square and it was time to use the bathroom one last time, stretch, and take a few pictures before heading to the start line.
We're twins in our matching Brooks tops.
Erin and I are in different parts of our running journey. We both wanted to set a PR for this Half-Marathon so when we got to the start line, we had to separate into different pacing groups. We hugged each other, I got a little teary eyed, and I headed to my group.
At 7:45 am the gun went off and snow flurries started flying... really?!
Miles 1- Started on Broadway and took the ramp to Columbia Parkway (as I started up the ramp to Columbia Parkway, I immediately had to pee... really?! I just prayed it away and started thinking on other things. Like how awfully boring Columbia Parkway was...)
Miles 2-8 Took us down Columbia Parkway and back to the ramp onto Broadway (at the 10k marker I started with a side cramp... really?! I pushed through and it finally faded around mile 9.5/10).
Miles 9-10 Looped us down and around to Pete Rose Way where we turned around and headed towards the Purple People Bridge.
Miles 11-12 were crossing over into Newport and then Back over into Cincinnati
Mark was at mile 11 waiting for us. Thank goodness he was, I kept looking for him because I was so bored, the route was just awful... when I first saw Mark, I thought he was a news crew guy and didn't think twice. Then I realized it was him and waved last minute :)
Mark was a champ... not only did he wake up early to drive us but he took pictures. Thanks Mark for being our photographer. For hanging out in the cold, snowy, and windy weather to snap pictures of us!
Not going to lie, I really struggled with this half... it was so boring and very difficult. The elevation climb was over 2,000 feet total! Not only that but it was So cold. So windy. So hilly. Did I mention it was BORING?! I definitely hit a wall around the 10k mark and then again around mile 10 and 11. Once I hit the bridge I just kept telling myself, PUSH HOME... just get to the finish line.
My goal: So I had set a goal. Chad and I had been pacing 2:05 for our half-marathon distance during our training. So I knew I wanted to beat that but didn't want to set an unattainable goal because the route was hilly and difficult. So I went ahead and set my goal to beat what I had set with Chad these last few weeks.
At mile 5 my RunKeeper got all out of whack and I had to turn it off. I was so upset, it kept telling me my pace was 12:43/mile and that I was only on mile 5... But my body was telling me something different, my abs and legs were on fire so I knew I was staying in the pace I wanted.
I promise you there was nothing sweeter than seeing those blue and white balloons with the FINISH sign under them. Ugh, I mustered up some last bits of energy and pushed home for my finish...
Final time: 2:03:06
New PR and it took everything I had in me to make it happen.
From snow, wind, and hills... I was beat.
Celebrating our VICTORY at the finish line.
Fountain Square (and freezing)
I am SO THANKFUL I got to share this race and experience with my friend, Erin. I am so proud of her dedication, heart, and determination to not just log miles but push herself to a level she never thought possible!
Running is a gift and I am very thankful I am able to enjoy it! Savannah and I want to decorate another Christmas tree this year for Christmas with all our medals and running stuff...
so far, our collection is looking pretty good!
Training continues this week as Chad and I prepare for the Flying Pig Marathon this May. For this marathon, my goal is to survive and complete it! The Flying Pig is one of the most difficult marathons in the US due to the hills.
You hem me in- behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.
~Psalm 139:5
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