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.

Push and Pull

I didn't think I would run the Swiss Days 10K that was taking place in Midway today... until my friend Mindy Kohler tempted me with having all of us wear our socks from the Ragnar.
HOW COULD I RESIST THAT?

Mindy Kohler, Laura Means, Audra Thomas, Amy, Holly Roylance

I couldn't.
So, we suited up in our gnarly socks and we all ran a personal best. I took 2nd place in my division and 14th overall finishing the 10K in 47:50.5 with an average of 7 minutes and 41 seconds/mile. There were about 600 runners in this race. I was so proud of myself! Darcy and I pushed and pulled each other along all the way to the end, again. What would I do without such an awesome running partner? I will tell you what I'd do- walk. It's good to have someone that pushes you along sometimes.
Did I mention that I won a hat? Because I did. And it's awesome.

FINISHERS!! Me, Darcy Haas, Mindy, Audra, Laura

Utah's Toughest 10K

I ran Utah's Toughest 10K at Soldier Hollow on Saturday. Before we started we were able to talk to one of the race directors. She told us that the course was difficult, but beautiful, and that the pace was 10 minutes slower than your average flat 10K pace. I'm glad she told me this because I had grossly underestimated the course. It was much more difficult than I had anticipated,but lucky for me I had an incredible running partner to help push me along. My friend Darcy Haas ran by my side the entire time, and I was able to finish the race in 58:32.2. I placed 2nd in my division (women ages 25-29) and 10th overall in women. Not bad for my second race! I'm excited to keep training harder and become a more competitive runner.