bell rock hike

Ideally, after running a half marathon, I'd like to eat a feast, soak in a hot tub, and then convince Ryan to give me a massage.. maybe all three at the same time. :) BUT, when my parents took Lincoln back to Phoenix with them to babysit for a few hours, Ryan and I took advantage of our time in Sedona and went straight on a post-run hike. 

We'll definitely be back for more hikes here. 

sedona half

This past weekend Ryan, Lincoln, my dad, mom, grandma AND myself went up to Sedona. My mom and I signed up for another half marathon together. This run was my absolute FAVORITE. I rate my runs on three things: 1. scenery 2. my race time 3. post-race spread. This race ranked really high in 2 out of 3 so it's officially taken the lead in favorite races.
1. You really cannot top the scenery of the amazing red rock mountains... but a close second would be the run in Ashton, Idaho. Potato fields can be gorgeous people, I promise. But Sedona mountains and running through a vortex... well, do I really need to justify my reasoning any further??
2. I was pretty stoked with my time. This was my first half since Lincoln. I didn't train as much as I would have liked, but I tied my PR time so I felt pretty stellar about that.
3. Post-race spread--- they had oranges, bananas, and Clif bars. Okay, I know I'm weird that this matters to me.... but after running that long, I want to eat. EAT. EAAAAT.

This was the 4th Half marathon my mom and I have done together.... now which should we do next?

13.1 miles and 21 weeks

Ever make a commitment to something because at the time the idea sounded awesome!..... but the feeling quickly died as the date got closer? Plus, other people knowing about this commitment makes backing out very difficult. Yeah, that happens to me all the time. But everytime it turns out perfectly and I'm so grateful I stuck to it. Well, before I got pregnant, my biff and I decided to sign up for a half marathon. Once our baby blessing came along, she gave me a way out saying I didn't need to do it which was very tempting to use as an excuse, but nope.... the commitment was made and I was sticking to it.

I ran a half in March and have been running ever since. I've read and talked to many people (especially the doctor) about running while pregnant and I came to my own conclusion that as long as I 1.) wasn't picking up running for the first time----which I wasn't and 2.) didn't push myself--- ha, I didn't even push myself before I was pregnant, that running throughout my pregnancy would be very helpful and I must say, running has been in more than one way.

To this past weekend now, I decided to run the half at 21 weeks pregnant. The run went surprisingly well, even though I had to pee the first 1/2 mile. I thought, even with my slow paced jog, that I would never come in last, but I was pretty dang close. There was even a point where this crazy speed walker passed my slow jaunt. Ouch, shot to my pride. But there's a saying runners refer to which helped ease that pain-- "It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." --Sheehan.

Anyway, it was one of my favorite runs I've done and I had my mom running beside me. This was our boy's first 1/2 marathon and all he had to do was relax while mommy did all the work.

Brian Mickelson Half

Saturday was our (mom, brother, and me) half marathon up in Cottonwood, AZ.

Of all the weekends to run, it was an extremely hot weekend and the sun did not cut us any slack.

I wish I could say I enjoyed the scenery, but really, I was just trying to survive. I do have to pat myself on the back for running the whole thing without training. I've been doing the Insanity videos which is the only thing that saved me--- and the prayer I was saying the last 4 miles in my heart to not let this be the day I die.

And to toot the horn for my older brother, he got 6th place overall and 1st place in his division. He's pretty much amazing.

Saving Second Base

My mom, brother and I ran in the Susan G. Komen half marathon run this weekend. I told my mom we should make shirts that said Saving Second Base, but when she didn't know what second base was i told her to forget it.

It was a great run. It was such a great experience to see my mom accomplish something this big. It was beautiful weather with beautiful scenery and we had our own cheer team (dad and little brother) who would quickly move ahead to the check points to wave and cheer us on. My bestest friend also showed her love and support at the finish line... what would i do without her? (thank you Karn) :)

This run went a lot smoother than my first. Thankfully, because it might have ruined my experience if i didn't have a quicker time. Ha. This run was also more fun because of all the creative shirts runners made and posters family waved at us as we ran by. One of my favorite said, "Big or small, Save them all!" So true. Now all I need to figure out... which run to sign up for next?

Little brother jumping in to cheer/pull me along :)

Little bro again being creepy in the background- he calls it "photo-bombing"

Real men wear pink- or at least a gray shirt with pink writing :)

best friend and best supporter

Oh, I almost forgot. My older brother did get 3rd place in his division. :) or 68th place out of over 3,800 runners. He's amazing right? Me on the otherhand, 2,013th.

one down...one to go

August 27

I ran my first half marathon!

why do people do that to themselves? i'm not sure. but i'm one of them now and i wouldn't say i'm hooked on running, but i love the high you get from it... you runners feel me right?

it went really well. i'm ended up walking more than i wanted to for the last 3 miles. there was a hill that was a killer and i can only blame myself for only doing ONE measley day of hill training. never again will i do that to myself. also, i need to figure out the proper way to hydrate myself properly. those last 3 miles required more walking than i wanted for two reasons

1. i was getting dehydrated and didn't carry water with me. big mistake. ( i'm investing in one of those fanny packs that hold your water bottles )
2. and i had to pee really really bad. so at the aid stations it was hard to rehydrate myself when my bladder was on the verge of bursting.

after i crossed the finish line, ryan was waiting for me with a big smile and all i could do was give him a hug and keep running for the port-a-potties. phew. i made it just in time.

anyway, it's a great feeling to accomplish something you have trained hard for. and come november, i have another half marathon i'm going down to arizona to do! this one will go much better. i'll have my water bottle strapped to my waist and hopefully this one will have port-a-potties along the way. :)

after my run! a friend from work who did the 10k and waited to watch me finish. :)

so happy it's over so i can wear my medal

ok, now i'm feeling pretty sore and tired

wearing my tshirt and medal for the day!

Aloha Run

My bestest friend Karn came to visit me this week. We started out her trip by participating in the Great Aloha Run. What better way to welcome someone to Hawaii than by having them wake up their first day at 5:00 am to go run 8.15 miles? It was well worth it. We were able to do our first race together and what better place than in Hawaii.

Waking up at 5. We don't look tired at all!

I'm not really sure what to say about this picture. I think it's the old cheerleader in me coming out that I've tried hard to leave in my past. Is there any other way to convey the message "bring it on" than a cheer stance? Didn't think so.

 We weren't able to stop and enoy the sunrise while running because it was behind us, but we were able to take it in before the start of the race.

I know what you're thinking. Is she really wearing a fanny pack? Yes i am. Only 1$ at the thrift store and one of the best things I've bought here. And not that anyone cares but fanny packs are really popular here.

Ryan got us best friend finish necklaces! YES!