Hard Core

Hard Core (adjective)- Running 5.25 miles in a blizzard.
Crazy (adjective)- Running 5.25 miles in a blizzard.
The winter running had to begin sometime.

Did it!!!

I won't go into too many details, but for now just know that I....

• Hit my goal exactly with an 8:25/mile pace, and 1:50 finishing time.
• Nursed a dang side ache between miles 6-8; those side aches will get you every time!
• Cried when I finished my hardest race to date. So grateful my family was there to see me accomplish my goal. It made victory even sweeter!
• Finished 7th in my age group and 36th overall. The winner finished the 13.1 in 1:20 with a 6 min/mile pace! Amazing!

I love running because so many people are able to win- in their own personal and fantastic way.

Mindy and I at the finish. Mindy ran an awesome race too, hitting a personal best and nearly catching me in the end!

That Girl's An Assassin, too...

I run my half tomorrow.

I would be totally lying if I didn't say I had butterflies in my stomach as I sit in my basement typing this post.

I've worked really hard to get to this point; many long runs, sprint work outs, eating better, mental preparation, memorization of the course... I couldn't be any more prepared to run this half than I am right now.

I've set pretty high goals for myself. I want to finish the race with an average of 8:25/mile. That would mean running the 13.1 in just under 1 hour and 50 minutes- the Boston Qualifying time. I barely hit my goal by the skin of my teeth last time (8:28.mile), and I honestly would love to finish in about 1 hr 47 min tomorrow, but I'm trying to be reasonable. And not too hard on myself.

I just finished putting the songs on my iPod that I will be running through- Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus, All American Rejects, Glee, John Mayer, and with hopes of finishing the race with "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train. As I was listening to them the words from Empire State of Mind sung by the Glee Cast really hit me- "In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made, oh, there's nothing you can't do now you're in New York. These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you. Let's hear it for New York."

I may not be in New York, but maybe that pavement is where my dreams are made right now. I'm doing it. I'm out there running hard and doing good.

And I'm gonna kill this race.

Ready

13.1 miles
5 bugs stuck to my lips, one in my eye, and many many more stuck to my forehead
600+ feet in altitude gain
180 bpm average heart rate
1:50 total time; which is exactly Boston qualifying time
1 t-shirt made that says, "This One's For You, Lola!"
11 days until I run the PINK Series Half Marathon in Park City for breast cancer awareness

I'm ready to race.