I'm only HALF crazy

"this seems like a lot of work for a free banana"

Goofing around after the race!

Determination!

Last year a friend asked if I would like to do the Rock n' Roll Half Marathon.  Now she knew that I had been wanting to complete a half marathon for a while now.  I had made a decision about 4 or 5 years ago when I took up light running, for a stress reliever, that I would go the extra mile (pun intended) and complete 13.1 before I was 30!  Now a little back story: I have been running more seriously for about 2 years.  I had completed a few timed races but nothing more than a 10k which if you are a non-runner is 6.2 miles and for you non-mathematicians is less than half of 13.1 miles.  EEEP!  

So in June or July after completing a 5k, with a new PR, and then my first 10k, 8 minutes under my goal time, I was very confident in my running abilities!  So I signed up.  And then Missouri happened.  If you have ever lived in Missouri in the summer then you know what I am talking about.  Also if you lived in Missouri in the summer of 2014 then you really know what I am talking about.  Non-Missourians this means sweating as you approach opening your front door because the 100 degree heat and 100% humidity is somehow penetrating the front door into your sanctuary of wonderful air conditioned bliss.  Now once you overcome this and make it to the outside world the actual act of running becomes much less appealing when four steps into the run your are drenched in your own sweat and also then the massive collapsing humidity is sticking to your skin.  So it was very discouraging to say the least.  I had a few good runs in the very very VERY early morning when it was not as hot or humid but honestly I gave up!  Now luckily I had a friend.  Remember that one I told you about that talked me into signing up for this race?  Well she was having the same issues I was.  So my race was October 19th and near the end of August we both realized we needed to get our booty's in gear.  Yes I said August. The. End. Of. August. This is where the I'm only HALF crazy comes in.  Now I had already had some running under my belt but, I needed to get my distance under control.  So I had a little over a month, by the time I got started, to get it together.  I would never ever recommend the plan we did to anyone but it worked.  Basically we trained and we trained hard!  We added at least two miles to the long runs a week which is not recommended and the main focus was to finish.  The first day I ran 13.1 was the day of my half marathon.  I was afraid I would not finish in my goal time but I did.  In the end I learned a lot and the biggest lesson is that determination and a push from a friend can go a long way!  If your curious as to who the friend is her picture is at the bottom.  I joke with her that she tricked me into doing that half marathon but honestly trick or no trick I needed that push to do it!  She also gets credit for the awesome race photos of me.  Thanks Andrea!  And as a fun side note Andrea also made her goal time and got a new personal record this race!  I will be doing another half marathon this year and hope to make a new PR and have a big goal in mind.  Luckily this year I know what not to do!

What are your running stories?  Have you conquered your goal or are you working on one this year?  I would love to hear about your crazy running stories!

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Happy Treats!  

Happy Birthday STL!

Almost there!

When I saw my family and friends!

Me and Andrea after finishing the race!