Utah-Part 1 Top of Utah Half Marathon

We spent ten amazing days in Utah. Our first stop was Logan so that I could run the Top of Utah half marathon with my lovely friend Mike. His amazing wife, Amy, who also happens to be one of my besties, couldn't run it so I got to take her spot.

We had to take a shuttle to the starting line. It left at 5:30am! The race didn't start until 7am. It was brutal to get up that early but we got to see the sun rise in the canyon. The time went by quickly because we got to visit with my friend Cynthia who also ran the race. No photos but it was so fun to hang out with her.

It was Mike's first half but he ran like a pro. I felt confident in my training but I had no idea what the altitude was going to do to me. I didn't want to hold Mike back from running his best, but he stayed with me the whole race. I was able to keep up with his pace for the first nine miles but once I hit ten, I hit a wall. It was hot, it was uphill and the altitude became a beast. It was like I could never fill my lungs completely. In the end we finished in 2:01. I wanted to be under 2 but I am still happy with that time, I felt bad that Mike slowed down for me. He could have totally finished way under 2 hours, I told him to go on but he wouldn't. We finished together and it was awesome. I can't wait to do it again!

We had the best fans ever! They even made signs for us...

 

There is nothing like running a good race. It feels so great to cross the finish line knowing that you have accomplished a goal. Every mile of training has paid off and it feel so, so good. In the past five years that I have been running, I have ran one marathon, three half's, and a handful of smaller races. I have learned so much during the hundreds and hundreds of miles I have logged. I have learned that your body can do way more than you think it can. I have learned that good friends make for the best running partners. And most importantly I have learned that there will always be someone faster and that's okay. In the end I run for me and what it does for me. I loved every minute of this race, even the brutal tenth mile. 

Thanks Mike for pushing me and sticking with me...it was the best way to start my vacation!