and ran and ran and ran....13.1 miles each...totaling a FULL marathon split of course between our awesome team of two!
It all started when I suggested we do a half marathon and Ben had a few naysayers claim he could never run 13.1. Well all you need to do to motivate Ben is say "can't".
We started off with good intentions, we downloaded a running app that was suppose to keep us on track to train and be prepared. We went for a few treks and covered 5 or 6 miles. (I did sneak in weekly 3-5 mile runs) We hit the treadmill a time or two and that was apparently all that was needed.
We first planned to do the Humbolt half and then had to simplify to the Silver Strand. It was familiar and easy to manage. We spent the night at Nicole and Jamey's, they kept the kids while we woke at 6:15 and walked to the start line. I enjoyed seeing Ben's reaction to his first race. It is a simple course and a simple race in Coronado. The horn blared and that signaled our purpose. We were there to complete 13.1...we weren't sure what the best plan was but we knew we were in it to win it and away we went.
One mile at a time, in the beginning I had terrible stomach cramps and the only relief I had was a good jogging pace. Funny that they subsided with running, maybe the pressure helped who knows...but I wanted to follow my 5 min/1min plan. I just couldn't! I was pumped to run and the cramps were terrible. I tool pity on all my girlfriends, I never get cramps and this was no day to start. I ran mile 1, 2,3,4,5 enjoyed the DJ and the small overpass "climb". Then I took a brisk walk, relief! The cramps were pretty much gone. Then the pressure went from my gut to my knee. By mile 9 my knee was very angry with me, apparently it preferred a training schedule...
I was "speed walking" thru mile 9,10,11 still passing the occasional 3:00 pacer then I saw mile marker 12 and I felt like I started to run again...not sure it was any faster then my walking but in my mind I was running...wow I would love to catch a glimpse of what I looked like going for the finish line.
In that last mile my ipod acted up, in all my finish line anticipation, random songs ended and began. I feel like this was part of the plan which is odd seeing that the whole event was lacking any planning at all.
A few highlights:
Right at mile 5 my fav running song - Linda Ronstadt When will I be loved came on! Ghetto Rap got me through mile 8 or should I say 8 mile? The 1980's running remixes available through itunes that are set for certain pace times are REALLY cheesy until mile 11 and "Hot Child in the City" comes on! It was an experience...running with your husband is awesome! On the drive home he claimed he never had to run again but I hope he will. That was my favorite part!
Back story for those who enjoy my playlists....I was poorly prepared for that also:( The girls lost my phone 15 minuets before we left. I had a carefully selected my playlist and now I had no music device...I was ready to quit before the race even started. I ended up cramming 3 hours of tunes on Ben's phone and running with that...how do people run without music? It is the REASON for my running!
Do I regret not training and shaving a half hour maybe 45 minutes off my time. Not really, I am hopeful that with more preparation I would rock a half marathon not sure I'll find out though...however I do think I'm ready to show a 5K or a 10K who's boss! I am amazed at the body...my machine did not let me down today - remarkable! This isn't the first time I've run a half unprepared I thank my legs, my knees, my lungs I'm quite surprised at 35 I was able to pull off such silliness.
There it is folks - just another Sunday. As I was watching the fire truck and the ambulance not far behind me feeling like I was the loser of the day...my motivation was that I was not sitting on the couch! No! I was running (and walking) 13.1 miles - so there!
Amazingly I convinced Ben that this was something NOT to miss! We were already in Lake Havasu so the drive was only 2 and half hours...there was no snow but chilly. The train was impressive the girls were ready for for a true Polar Express ride!
Here is the whole family ready to board....
All aboard!
Tickets in hand ready to go...
The cook actually took them as we boarded....
Watch your step.
Ally though we got the best seats....She is already studying the Christmas songs.
Love this picture!
Really Natalie? You are having that much fun?
Ally is having enough fun for all of us!
Family shot taken by the chef...Ben didn't believe me when I said grown men would be wearing their pajamas....
Our chef!
The tiny bit of snow while heading towards the North Pole.
Smiles now, it is cookie time!
And perfectly warm "hot" cocoa...
...and now the reading of the book, Polar Express.
Here we are! The North Pole! All the kids were called to our side of the train so the grown ups moved to the other side.
Ally is jumping for joy, here comes Santa Claus.
Ho Ho HO
Taking Ally's hand.
The girls have their silver bells.
And what do you want for Christmas?
Love the innocence.
Yeah, ok Suzanne, maybe it was a good idea to bring the girls here....
Bye, bye North Pole....
In the village, now that it was dark out...Mrs. Claus was in the village taking mail for Santa.
Close it up!
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