Running recap

So last Saturday I ran my 1/2 marathon and it was so awesome! We woke up and left for Park City around 6am, we made it there around 7:30 and picked up our packets, chips and numbers at the Newpark Hotel. We then had an hour and a half to kill so we went to the starting line and talked, stretched, warmed up, went to the bathroom, nursed Leah and got pumped up. Everyone started coming and getting ready and before we knew it we were off! The first 2 miles was under construction so it was a little rocky and it was a narrow trail so it was hard to pass if you wanted to. It was super cold too, my arms felt numb, but my legs were alright. After 2 or 3 miles we got in the sunshine and things started warming up. Miles 3-5 were pretty fun, going through the countryside and some small neighborhoods. When we got to miles 6 and 7 it was a one big switchback that involved hills...yuck. We sucked down some Powerbar gel and kept up the pace even though it was hard. After that the rest of the course was pretty flat and it was beautiful weather outside. Around mile 10 I ate some jelly bean things that seemed to help a little, they tasted good anyway :) The last two miles were tough, but I still felt pretty good, we ran through one last neighborhood and then we could see that finish line. I finished with a time of 2:03 with my little sister Lizzy coming in a few mins behind and my other little sister Hannah a few mins behind her. Our sister-in-law ran in too which was way fun! (She is the one that got us into it). I placed 97th out of 373 participants with an average of 9.24 mins a mile. So I think I did okay for my first 1/2, but there is definantly room for improvement. At the end they totally pampered us, there was a live band, oxygen bar, massages, lots of food, pink water bottles, little necklaces for the participants and raffle prizes too. In our bags they gave us truffles, skull candy ear phones, Downeast shirt, bumper stickers and some other little stuff, all in all I think it was totally worth the money. I have to say that I could not have done it without Jake, he was the most supportive husband ever! Leah, my mom and little sister and Jake would show up at random points on the course and cheer us on and take pictures, it was awesome. And then after Jake was the best because he got things for me, rubbed my back for me and kept telling me how proud he was and what a good job I did. I love him so much! Leah was a good girl too, but she missed me of course :) At the time I was thinking I am NEVER going to do a marathon, but now I really want to so Jake and I are going to train for the Utah Valley Marathon next spring. Here are some pictures of the event, ah it was so fun!

Us before the race

Lizzy, Me, Cassie, Staci, and Hannah

Me running around mile 11

The finish line

Receiving our necklaces and waterbottles and getting our chips cut off.

My sisters and I :)

My amazing husband, Leah and me

Our necklaces... ("run like a girl" was the theme)

After we went out to lunch and spent the day in park city shopping at the outlits. I was so tired that night and a little sore too. But overall it was an amazing day and an amazing race, I love it!