Urban Bourbon Half Marathon: The Good and The Bad

In order to get a fall half marathon in this year with our crazy schedule, I had to do a little research and knew it would probably require some traveling.

I happened to find one in Louisville (close to us!), on a Saturday (of a semi free weekend!),  before the depths of coldness of December (hooray!).  It was win win win all round.

Never mind we had just returned from vacation.

(Who needs sleep?)

Plus I talked my friend Libby into doing it as well...misery loves company, right?

Even though we had just been gone, I was excited for the race and felt fairly confident about it.

I had gotten my long runs in before our trip and was able to squeeze in some running in Hawaii between the mai tais.

I really, really, really wanted to PR this race.

That was my goal all along.

PR, don't stop (besides water) and kick booty.

Well between the hills, (stupid) sugar/stomach issues and some just all around blahness, that didn't happen.   And mentally I'm still not okay with it but with time I will be.

My time (2:02:30) was better than the Pig and for a hilly race my time was pretty decent (to me) BUT I wanted to do better.  I am really slightly hard on myself when it comes to running. 

But I keep reminding myself that I DID IT and I ran 13.1 stinkin' miles at lived to tell about it.

Not to mention this was my 5th half marathon.

Coming from a girl that used to DESPISE running, that is kind of cool- no matter what my time was.

The Good:

-beautiful course

-small race

-new city to run in

-great weather

-cool finisher medal

-solid playlist

The Bad:

-Winding hills

-Stomach issues

-Leg soreness

-Inconsistent pace

-Breathing issues

Plus I rewarded myself with new running pants from Target so that helps a little ;).  I guess that means I have to keep running! 

Thoughts While Running...

...and more reasons for you to think I'm crazy.

It took awhile for me to consider myself a runner.

Some days yes and some days heck to no.

But finally, laying in bed Sunday night (far too earlier than should be acceptable) I thought to myself, man I guess I really can consider myself a runner now.

Left: My first 5k (July 2012) Right: Half marathon (August 2013)
After that 5k I was 100% I would never run further than 3 miles in my life.

I've also realized that running makes me think really, really crazy things.

As I was running on Sunday and thinking all these crazy thoughts, it crossed my mind to share these insane thoughts with you. 
Every mile or so there's a new one.
And I'm certain I went from insane to totally confident about 43 times.
And I'm also sure I just plain ol blacked out for part of it.

Mile 1: "Oh this isn't bad, it's nice out, this pace is nice and the adrenaline of a race always gets you through the first few miles. This is the beginning...soon enough I will be able to say I successfully completed a half marathon!"
Mile 2: Starting to find my groove, pace is good.
"11 more miles, psssh that's nothing..."
Mile 3: "Wait, why did I sign up for this? 10 more miles? Honestly Sarah this was dumb.
Oh we're passing the 10k turn around...really no turning back now."
Mile 4: *Map My Run chimes in* "geeezz I have to slow down, I can't run the next 9 miles at this pace or I'll wind up in the bushes."
Mile 5: Finally slowing down...phew, a good groove. "Oh water! Thank goodness."
*Promptly choke on water trying to drink and run at the same time.*
Mile 6: "Almost half way, yay...or not...that means I still have to do more and then all of that over again.  Seriously what was I thinking."
"Hmmm what should I blog about this week? Don't I have a new recipe to share?"
Mile 7: "WATER! And gu!" Small pause to walk and sip.  And to take 2 small sips of a gu, bad decision, those things are nasty.
"Alright Sarah, you've got this! Already half way done and doing just fine!"
"I'd really like to just sit down."
Mile 8: "Goodness, 5 more miles."
"Who cares! 5 more miles, I've run 5 miles plenty of times, I've got this!"
"No seriously, what was I thinking about blogging about? Maybe I'll post about how crazy my mind goes while I run."

Mile 9: This may be where I blacked out.  I also spent this mile dreaming of what I wanted to order for dinner. 
Mile 10: "Only 3 more miles! Just a 5k more, surely I can do this. I never have before but why shouldn't I be able to?! Every training program says you never run the full amount before a race. So either those people are correct or crazy, I guess we will find out soon enough."
Mile 11: "This is further than I've ever run before!! Ahhhh! So crazy! Must keep GOING! Every step is one further than I've ever done before!"
And then I started to get delusional...
Mile 12: "1 more mile, just 1 more!! I've got this! I can almost say I'm a half marathoner! Go Sarah go.  While this is awesome and I'm proud of myself, my hips hurt...must.keep.going."
I am certain at this point I was going on pure adrenaline.
Mile 13: ".1 more to go! Ahhh! I can see the finish, I can almost smell the Gatorade. I wonder if it would be weird if I fell over when I crossed the finish line?"

So if you can't tell; 1. I'm crazy and 2. running is SUCH a mental game- one that I haven't conquered yet.
So much so that I kept telling myself I knew it was a mental game and I just had to keep going and not think about how my legs and hips wanted to fall off my body.  It's amazing the moment you stop thinking about your next step, the easier it gets.  This is the main reason I have to have music while I run. If not or I'm not digging Pandora's choice my mind goes 1,000 places including the next step.

I say all this to say I actually do really enjoy running. It's become a big part of my life and it's fun to me.  Granted it's not fun 100% of the time but about 85% of the time it is.  I love the challenge and the success and fitness that come along with it. And if you are thinking about taking it up, I say DO IT! Just get out there and start going, it's the best way to start!

Weekend Wrap Up: 13.1

Dear Monday, I would have appreciated you coming a little later this week.

I am one tired lady and it was one whirlwind of a weekend. 

Let's start at the beginning.

Friday Mister and I took the Floydster to an old golf course and let him run wild and free and sniff his little basset heart out.  Check out the fastest basset EVER here. 

We rounded out the evening with Orange is the New Black.  We are only three episodes in but loving it so far!

Saturday we got up bright and early and headed over to Indianapolis to spend the day with some of my college besties.  We had a delicious brunch (complete with Siracha fruit salad-so good) and some grand ol hang out time.

That afternoon we celebrated our friends wine store three year anniversary.  We are so proud of them and a trip there is always delicious.  We came home with some goooodies. 

We also saw a replica batmobile driving down the highway, complete with the driver wearing a batman mask....so that was interesting...

And Sunday was the big day.
Like really big.

A few weeks ago I finally gave in and signed up for a half marathon.

I really wanted to cross it off my life list and knew if I just didn't sign up and go for it, it may never happen. 

So Sunday was it was and I went and I ran and I conquered.
There were definitely times when I wanted to throw in the towel and thought that I had lost my mind but for the all in all it went really well!

 I am so happy to say that I've done it and can cross it off my list!

I was happy with my time (2:05) and was pretty pain free for most of the race.

By that I mean, all of my bones hurt but no major problems.

 I couldn't have done it with out lots and lots of support from friends and family! Mister was there on the sidelines cheering me on and Bethany and I ran a few miles together.

And a huge CONGRATS to Bethany for getting a PR, so awesome!

The rest of the day was spent resting and napping with Floyd, he was a great supporter once I got home.

We rounded out the night with celebratory Mexican food and margaritas with Bethany and her husband...well and an ice cream cone of course.
As you may recall, running = ice cream in my world.

Friday's giveaway winner is Karra! 

And the eMeals winner is: Marianna! I'll shoot you both an email!

Linking up with Sami!