Valentines Weekend 2016 -Part 3- The Race

Saturday morning came in a flash! I didn't even remember falling asleep or when. We headed down to breakfast at the hotel, I was so shaky I'm surprised that I forced anything down. But the waffles tasted extra amazing even though I was feeling queasy. After breakfast I went to get my clothes on, I was a total mess and kept asking Kade "why did I sign up, why did I think this was ever a good idea?" All of a sudden it was time to go and I was hoping we would 1. Find the place and 2. Be on time.

We found the park no problem and we somehow navigated to the perfect parking place without trouble. I hadn't heard from my cheering crowd yet (my family) and I'd hoped they wouldn't get lost. They drove all that way and I really wanted them to see the start. I didn't know much about the park and I figured the first and the last was all they would see of the race. I made my way to the starting line, and found it, no one was lining up there yet. It was about 20 minutes till go time so I used the bathroom, I texted my cheering crowed, and worried. About 5 mins before everyone made it (yay), I saw that people were lining up at the start. We got a few before pictures, and then I made my way to line up. 

It wasn't a large race maybe 100 something people but I tried to go clear to the back of the pack. I knew that I would be at the back end due to my pace. They gave us course instructions and then it was go time. 

Now, everyone's number one tip is to not start out too fast, but it is hard not to. I kept looking at my watch and although it felt like I was running really slow I was  holding a very fast pace for me. I kept trying to slow down. I finally found my pace and the people that I would be passing/being passed by all race. There were two girls in particular that were friends who would walk, I would pass them, they would run and pass me again.

Around 1.5 miles in I couldn't believe how great I was feeling but because I had been so nervous I really had to pee!   I picked this race because I knew there were 6 places I could use the restroom...me and my mommy bladder ;) anyway I talked to someone on the course and they let me know I had already passed a bathroom but there was one at mile three. So I kept up my hustle, I got to mile three in 33 minutes which for me is pretty quick considering I had 10 more miles to go. Looking back through my splits you can't tell I went to the bathroom the first time because I must have tried to makeup for time lost. 

The course was very nice, so much to look at. I had a conversation or two with random runners. And at mile 4 I finally turned on my headphones, because I wasn't really close to anyone. To me that is amazing that I kept myself occupied for 4 miles without any kind of distraction. At mile five I got an amazing surprise, my cheering crowd was at the water station! I didn't think I would get to see them during the race so I had to keep the tears back. I get SUPER emotional when I run, such raw feeling everywhere. The course was out and back so I knew I would get to see them again in 3 miles.  This was the longest part of the race...I kept waiting to see the station so I could turn around...I felt like it wouldn't ever come! 

While I was waiting for half point there was an older man I started a conversation with. It was his 63rd half marathon if I remember right. We talked and he just made that mile bearable! I was so excited to see half way point, and I knew I would see my cheering section soon. I felt like it was all down hill from there, just 10k to go. 

I gave everyone high-fives at mile 8 when I saw them! I was PUMPED, but within a quarter mile I started the doubt game in my head. I still had 5 miles to go....5 miles. Oh no, I have 5 MILES. I had tears running down my face. I remember man walk his dog passed me and said, this is such a hard course, keep going. I did the only thing I could think of, I texted Trecia. 

After a few texts and trying to positive talk my way out things were feeling better. I knew mile 10 had a bathroom and I just needed to make it there!  I started to feel good again and I did end up using mile 10's bathroom. At 10.5ish I was crossing a bridge and my family was hanging out on it, Richard jumped in and I raced him across the bridge.

 And then I realized he was planning on running the last 2.5 with me. This made my day!!!! I have done 11 miles as my longest training run and I knew the last few miles would be really difficult. He made my load lighter by just being there so I knew I wasn't alone. We talked and I checked my watch and I was shocked at how my pace was getting quicker. I went from 11-10 minute splits. My last mile was a sub 10! We talked and before I knew it I was sprinting across the finish line! 

My official time: 2:41:15 12:17minutes/mile

My watch time: 2:33:53 11:43minutes/mile (I paused my watch during potty breaks)

I did it! Thank you EVERYONE, for the calls and the texts, for driving down to watch, for watching kids, and running by my side. I feel so blessed and I am excited to smash my time during my next half. I think I'm hooked y'all! 

Valentines Weekend 2016 -Part 2- The Night Before

We left the older kids in Terreton on Friday and started our drive. We had sandwich stuff packed and a few books download on my phone to listen to.

Lex did great, he slept for the first 2 hours and then watched a movie the rest of the time. I was really nervous he would be upset and want out of his seat.  He gets that way when we make trips to Idaho Falls and Pocatello sometimes. It was nice that he did so well, I was grateful.

We picked up my race packet as soon as we got into Boise. That is part of the reason we decided to go down Friday, I didn't want to stress about it the morning of. I was a little bummed because the tshirts were cotton, I'm always a little giddy when I find they are techshirts because that means I might actually use them. Cotton shirts tend to just sit in my dresser and never get used, they chaff my arms and are so hot. I have a superstition that you have to earn your race shirt, so I didn't plan on wearing it during the race anyway. 

We called Richard (my youngest brother) and we decided to meet for dinner.  We planned a time and place, we had some time to kill before meeting him, naturally I wanted to go to some thrift stores. I love going to bigger city's thrift stores because they tend to be better priced and have much better stuff. Ya, go ahead laugh. Richard already made fun of me. :) 

I chose to go to The Olive Garden, I knew I could eat a ton of bread, it's endless you know. I don't know if carb loading makes a difference but I wasn't going to miss my chance. 

As soon as we sat down at the table Lex got so cranky. Flat out screaming!!! I noticed he felt very warm but I figured he just needed a breadstick and something to drink. Nope, I was now the mom with the very loud kid who was disturbing everyone's dinner. I walked around with him and tried to feed him, but he wouldn't even nurse. When he wouldn't nurse, I knew he was teething. This kid NEVER misses a chance to nurse. I begged Kade to run and get some ibuprofen really fast...I know he didn't want to but did it anyway.  Looking back we really should have paid for our drinks and left. But I thought he would get tired and fall asleep in no time all that screaming should tire him. I walked around with him forever it seemed like. Poor Richard was alone at the table for close to an hour, I felt bad leaving him. But Lex made me extremely upset, I wanted to cry right with him, I felt helpless.  You have to understand this kid NEVER throws a fit, especially in public. He is such an easy baby, really such a happy kid. Kade got back and we forced him to take the ibuprofen. It was like magic, not five minutes later we were all sitting down eating. His fever broke and we didn't have an issue the rest of the trip. Strangest thing really, night and day difference. 

We finished eating and I wanted to go check out where the course was. We all went together.  It was dark, soooooo kind of pointless, but it helped calm my nerves. At least I would know where this stupid race was at, so we wouldn't be lost the next morning. 

My mom and dad called and we went and met up with them, my mom said she had something for me.

I use this candy on long runs and some honey as well. 

 We visited for a few minutes they had just made it into Boise. One of their cows went into labor when they were trying to leave and they stayed to help her. They don't start calving until spring, so this heifer was a few months early and the poor calf wasn't even fully formed yet. So sad.  

I texted them all the race info. And we left to take Richard back to his car. 

We got to our hotel and I unpacked.

 Kade was disappointed because he wanted to use the swimming pool but it was empty and we were told it would be useable until tomorrow. The hotel pillows were small so we headed out to go and buy some. I forgot to bring ours and I wanted them for the way home. I figured I would be tired and wanting to sleep. We walked around and shopped until late, we got back to our room around midnight. I was so nervous I knew that it would be a long night. Kade went to bed immediately and I watched tv until I fell asleep.

Valentines Weekend 2016 -Part 1- Where It All Began

I have been preparing for this weekend since September....I believe. That is when I decided to get my butt into gear and run another 10K for Turkey Day. I figured it would be a great way to eat a ton and not feel guilty. I trained for it and then I never signed up for an actual race......but Fefe why not???? Because I have holes in my brain and can't remember things since having kids. It's really annoying and getting bad.

 Instead I was totally lame and just ran 10K on thanksgiving. Who wants to pay 35-60 bucks for a race???

 I had Kade bring me water halfway and honestly I thought I wasn't going to finish that last mile :). 

That is when my mantras kicked in and I repeat -I am strong- -I can do this- until it was done. Not my most favorite 10k but not my worst either. 

After I was done I decided I would keep building my long runs on Sunday's. Yes, I do Sunday rundays and it's the only time I can fit it in. Plus, if you ever want to feel close to God, run hard, pray hard, and you will feel angels by your side, promise. Every other Sunday I would add a mile to my longest run and the following Sunday I would do 4-6 miles. I have a tight hip/knee and if I do two long runs two weekends in a row it gets cranky.

I got up to an 8 mile run right after Christmas 

and I had a few amazing people encourage me to do a half. I shrugged it off because I have little confidence, especially running, so I decided I wouldn't commit to anything. Besides back in July I started training for a race in September and TOTALLY chickened out. We ended up moving and having a lot of stress so i figured I just wasn't cut out to ever run one. I decided to keep logging runs and I would see how it went. My runs kept going fine and getting longer

 I calculated how long until I would be ready to race...February is where it fell and I researched races in the Idaho/Utah area and there wasn't much of anything. Only one race and it was Valentines Weekend, I looked up my husbands work schedule and he had that day off. I knew it was the race for me and I talked with my husband and he was so encouraging...he has witnessed the transformation running has had on my mind. We decided we would make a valentines weekend out of it and spend a few nights away from the kids...although it only worked out for 2/3rds of them. :)  I was hoping to have Lex weaned by the race but it didn't happen, and that's okay. He will only be a baby for a little while. Wish me luck on Saturday! I'm just hoping I finish at this point, haha.