Half Marathon

Yesterday I ran the US Sun Valley half marathon. It was the first race I have ever done. I saw the flier for the half marathon at the gym and I figured I could do the half marathon considering I work out just about everyday at the gym and I get in about 6 miles of cardio when I go. I can't believe I did it considering I don't like running but I figured I would give it a try.

So, I some what starting training for the half marathon about two weeks ago. I already work out at the gym I just needed to try running more miles, which I did on the weekends. I ran 10 miles on the 2 Saturdays prior to the race. Since I was able to do that I figured I could do the half marathon. Besides a training routine I had found on line mentioned increasing your miles as you progressed but it wasn't until the last two weeks that it suggested increasing from 7 to 10 miles. So I figured I was good to go. So I kept working out and training. I was still nervous because I had never ran in any type of a set up like this, several parts of the run were up hill, I usually run inside on a treadmill, and I had not ran for more than 10 miles. The routine I found mentioned that all you need to do is practice for 10 miles and the day of the race you can push your self the rest of the miles.

I was nervous the morning of the race. I just wanted to finish the race and not pass out or walk. I was suppose to wake up at 7 to eat breakfast and stretch out. I ended up waking up at 6:30 because I was anxious. I got up and ate my breakfast, stretched out, woke up Charlie, and got ready. Then we were off to Sun Valley because the race was there. We got there around 8 and waited for the race to get started. There were people there stretching out and running a few laps to get ready for the race.

At 8:55 the announcer called us over to the starting line so we could get redy to go. It was a good start. The first mile was hard because it is all up hill. Then we went down hill for a few miles and then it was at a slight incline around mile 7. Then it really started to go at an incline at miles 9-11. For the last 2 miles it started to decline. Around mile 8 I was feeling good. I was thinking it wasn't as bad as I thought. Then around mile 9-11 it got hard. The route was at an incline and I couldn't wait to get to my 10 mi marker and for the road to flatten a bit. A little bit ahead of the 10 mile marker there was a guide telling us that there was a water station at the turn around. While the runners were going to mile 11 there were runners going down towards the finish line on the other side. I was feeling good again because I thought I was almost at the turnaround and almost done. But then I kept going and didn't realize that the turnaround was the 11 mile marker. I still had ways to go. I kept going and thinking is the marker almost here. Then I finally hit the marker and the water station. Then I just had 2.1 more miles to go. I kept going and going. Then I hit mile marker 12. I had 1.1 more miles to go. Then I was getting close to the finish line. Couldn't wait to finish. I just kept telling my self that I was almost there. Then I finally crossed the finish line. Man was I glad to be done.

The volunteers took off my timing chip, gave me a medal for finishing, and then I went to go get some water but they had ran out. How could you run out of water! So I went and got a protein bar, my t-shirt, and some oranges. I really needed to rehydrate. Then Charlie showed up. I thought I would finish around 11:30 so I told him to expect me around that time. So he wasn't there when I finished. He was looking out for me at the 10 mile marker but apparently I had already passed it. I actually did better than I thought. My time was 2hrs and 8 min.

Good thing he came because he had brought me some gatorade. I really needed that. Then I went and got a some beer that they were giving to celebrate my finish. Surprisingly the beer was good considering I don't really like beer. We stayed around for a bit to see the results of the runners then we left. It felt good to sit down. My calfs were hurting. We went and ate and then came home to rest. Charlie made me a hot bath and I soaked there for a while. It really helped because I was able to walk a little better after that. Now I am still sore from my hips and calfs. Atleast the swelling has gone down from my feet. A man at the race suggested I think about the marathon for next time. I don't know about that. I am glad to be done with the half marathon. I would need to run a little bit more of these before I think of doing a full marathon.








Here's a map of the route for the half marathon. It went all around Sun Valley and Ketchum.










































Here's my bib #. I couldn't personalize it because I registered past the deadline. I wanted it to be 22603.





















Here I am waiting for the race to begin.





























Charlie said that the ambulence was here in case I needed it.

























Here we go!



































Here I go.

Here I am at the end of the race. Exhausted!















































Here's my time.

Sheela

Here are some pictures of Sheela. She sure is growing up quick. She is listening more now but continues to harrass Ozymandias, our cat. I don't know what to do about that. Any suggestions? She will be 6 months old on the 5th of June. That day she also gets spayed. It was good timing because I will be on vacation by then. Yey!!!!!!
















Here is Tobe with Sheela on the sofa which they are not suppose to be on. Sheela was only 2 months old in this picture. Almost 3. You can see her small face.

Here's Sheela next to Ozymandias and Tigger is on the floor. This is the only way I can get Tigger in the picture. She does not like being close to the other pets. She is still moody. She can't forgive me for bringing in other pets into the house. Now Sheela is 4 months. Her face is getting longer.

Here she is in the bathtub. She likes getting in there. We have to make sure the door is closed when she the water is warming up in the shower otherwise she will get in there and just stand in the shower. I learned this the hard way.


















Here she is all wet with her favorite ball in her mouth. She kinda knows how to fetch. She knows to bring back the ball but won't let go of it when she comes back.
















Here's looking at you kid.










This is how she got wet. She was playing with the sprinkler. She loves playing with water and getting wet.










The only pet missing in these pictures is Cleopatra. She will not get close enough to any of the dogs in order for us to take a picture of her with them. She is too skeetish.