After I had Braelynn I had a hard time getting myself motivated to run again. So I decided to set a goal for myself. Something that would challenge me. Well, I certainly was challenged. My friend Kari invited me to run the half-marathon in Anchorage with her. This is us BEFORE the race. (I wasn't smiling by the time I finally crawled across the finish line.)
I trained pretty consistently for a couple of months. But three weeks before the race I got sick. Sick enough that I couldn't run. I ran a little bit the week of the race and felt really good. I knew I could finish the race so started mile one slightly optimistic. Kari is in awesome shape and for the first couple miles I ran with her thinking I was awesome. Then she finally admitted I was SLOW as tar and went on without me. Haha. (Kari finished with a time of 2:00:09. WOW). It wasn't long before I ran into trouble. You see Mountain Home is flat. Very flat. Anchorage is not. Hills. Mountains. I was unprepared. I was right that the distance wasn't a problem but the hills, oh the hills, they destroyed me. I heard rumors during the race about the last mile containing a killer hill. It wasn't just a rumor. I was determined not to stop. Some lady stood outside her home sipping coffee and chanting "good job. You are doing awesome." I wanted to kick her in the knees. It hurt so bad. But I didn't stop. I finally made it up the hill and finished my goal with a time of 2.24.24. Whew. So glad its over.
5 comments:
YOU.ARE.AWESOME! I started training for one in May, and it happened to fall on the EXACT day of Kody's graduation. BOO...Maybe after the next kid! :) Oh-- and ALASKA is gorgeous! WE HOPE WE HOPE WE HOPE we get to go there next for the AirForce!
Way to go!!!! You are amazing!
I didn't know you were doing that! That is amazing, and a really good time too. When I ran my first half I had been training for 6 months straight and barely beat that time. Ever thought about a full? They are pretty fun! I am so proud of you for sticking with it.
Mandi, my dear, you have incredible determination with a little crazy mixed in!! So proud of you!
Alright stop, you're making me sound like some kind of a stud. A girl stud that is. You did very good, great even. That hill was enough for anyone to turn around and crawl all the way back to the beginning. I think that would have been easier! I still think you rock!!!!
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