Enjoy this moment for this moment is your life.

Provo Half Marathon

Well I finally did it! I ran in my first official race. I signed up for the half marathon last year, but I couldn't run in the official race because of a health concern. I ended up running it later that year, but somehow it is just not the same when you don't have the number pinned on your chest and the crowds to cheer you on. We had a really great run, the weather was perfect around 75 degrees and my adrenaline was pumping with the excitement of the big crowd. When I got done I called Shaun to tell him I was done, he jokingly asked me if I had won. Of course I didn't even come close to winning, but I felt like a winner! I finished 20 minutes faster than I did last year, and was able to maintain a 10 min mile pace. Slow if you are trying to win, but great for me.

You say, "oh great for her, but I could never run a half marathon." I bet you could! I love to run, but I haven't always been able to say that. Running to me used to be so boring and hard, but I started running with a couple of friends, and I found that running at a pace that you can still carry on a conversation was perfect for me. We started out slow at about 11 or 12 min miles and have worked up to 9 1/2 -10 min miles. I could run faster if I didn't talk while I was running, but what is the fun in that? Besides the runners high is no myth. There is nothing like the feeling you get after a long run.

Thanks to Nicole to being so faithful with running with me in the morning. I've never had a running partner who you can count on being there at 6:30 in the morning every time. And thanks to Audrey. We are a great pair for pushing each other to go a little faster. We are both competitive enough that if one is running a little faster, the other one always tries to keep up no matter how much we are hurting.

My running partners, Me on the left, Audrey, and Nicole. Great job girls!

P.S. Audrey, thanks for the ice cream cone, and yes, I did get sore!!!

Tips to convert yourself into a runner

I used to hate running I thought people who ran marathons and half marathons were crazy. I would occasionally get out and run a couple miles just for a change in my exercising routine but I never really enjoyed it. Now I can say I really love running and I even look forward to some of our longer runs. So what has made the difference?

1. Have a goal. Just running to be running seems pointless when you are tired or sore. But if you sign yourself up for a race you have more motivation to get out there and get it done. The best way to find out about races is to ask your running friends. Not into long races? Then sign up for a 10k or a 5k.

2. Have a running partner or two or three. The more the better then if one can't go with you, hopefully the other one can. Sign up for the same race, then you can be working towards the same goal.

3. Start slow. I love to be able to talk with my friends when I am running. If I run to fast I can't and then I hate it. Here is a good website for easy schedules for preparing for races, its a great site for beginners.www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html This is for half marathon but I think he has schedules for other races as well.