Salt Lake Half Marathon Race Recap

Yesterday I ran the Salt Lake City Half Marathon! I've been training for it since February and I couldn't wait for the date to finally be here. The last two weeks have been filled with bad weather and tapering so it had been 2 weeks since my last long run. I was feeling restless and nervous.

Our 5 a.m. Trax ride to the start

my nervous selfie (did I mention it was freezing??)

About 20 minutes to go time

My brother in law Robert also was running it so we were starting line buddies. The closer it got to 7 a.m. the more nervous I felt. I started getting a stomach ache and NO! I had to pee....too late to take care of that. I couldn't believe I was finally there. A few minutes before it started I got kind of emotional and started tearing up. I was so happy and grateful that my body was going to let me do this! All that hard work was the reason I was here and I was happy. The last half marathon I ran was in September 2013. Before I got pregnant and had a baby. I felt like this was my first half marathon because I was in a totally different body and I was curious how it was going to go.

The first few miles I didn't have headphones in or anything. I was just listening to all the chatter around me. With thousands and thousands of runners- the start of the race is always packed. I started off too fast but was enjoying myself and getting nice and warmed up. Miles 1-4 I just kept thinking "am I really going to be able to do this?" I wasn't in any pain and I actually felt really good, but 13.1 miles seemed really far away.

Miles 6-10 were pretty hard. There was a steady incline and a few steep hills. I slowed my pace and just kept pushing through. My body felt great and I wasn't in any kind of pain. I passed a lot of people who had to walk and I felt strong. Around mile 7 I was really hungry. My stomach was empty and growling so that was distracting. Luckily I had Carbo Pro in my water so I was getting all the calories I needed. So while I felt hungry, my body was acting like it was getting enough nutrients and I felt strong. It was probably around mile 8 that I finally said to myself "this is happening! I'm going to be able to do it!". There was a sign that said "That voice in your head telling you you can't do this is a LIAR" and that made me tear up too. I don't know what it is about running- but it makes me a cry baby.

At mile 10 I put some new music on and was feeling PUMPED! I had kept my pace steady enough that I felt like I could pick it up a little bit and finish those last 3 miles strong. This is where I was able to break out of the pack and go for it. I passed a lot of people at this point- many of them were walking- and that pumped me up even more. Around mile 11 I started crying a little bit because I was so happy. I felt great and I was almost there! A few tears streaming down my cheek and a smile on my face.

The very last mile was hard. My body REALLY wanted me to just stop. It even started slowing down and I had to physically stop myself from stopping (make sense?). It was crazy. But I figured it's going to take me longer to cross that finish line if I walk and I just wanted to be done. Bart was on the side of the road holding Mckenzie about a quarter mile away from the finish line. I was so happy to see them! I ran over and kissed my baby and ran on. Bart started running next to me with the stroller and was saying all these motivating things. I will be the first to admit that when I'm uncomfortable I have no filter. So I told him to "Just shut up and meet me at the finish line" *insert angel emoji here*

not flattering. dont care. I was so happy to see my fan club cheering me on!

I felt bad snapping at him but I was giving everything I had mentally and physically to cross that line. I don't care how in shape you are- if you push yourself those last few miles then they are going to be really hard miles to run!

I crossed the finish line and got my medal. Bart was there and I started crying and broke down in his arms. I sobbed for a hot minute and was so happy to finish! I really felt good. My last half marathon I almost passed out at the finish line because I was so depleted and hot. I didn't feel any of that this time around. I cried and laughed and smiled and was so proud of myself and happy to be done. It is an awesome feeling crossing that finish line knowing you just accomplished a goal you have spent several weeks and countless hours working toward! I felt strong and pretty dang awesome.