Third Half Marathon - in the books!

Well, I can now officially say I've run THREE half marathons! Yesterday was the annual Flying Pig Half Marathon here in Cincy and this was our 3rd time completing it together. Caleb has actually run it 4 times, he's a beast!

The morning of, we picked up my brother in law, Jared, and headed downtown. The weather report leading up to the big day was kind of scary and unpredictable. They kept saying to expect thunderstorms/lightning/rain all day. I'm so thankful to say it ended up being absolutely perfect. The sky was overcast all morning, so it wasn't too hot, and it stopped raining just in time for the race. It honestly couldn't have been better!

We got to the race just as it was beginning, so instead of getting to our designated corral, we sneaked through a side railing and jumped in an earlier one. Big mistake, these people were SPRINTING and we felt like we had to keep up since we jumped in. So the entire first mile we ran way too fast, which made us exhausted by mile 2-3. Luckily, Caleb is a good pace setter and insisted we slow down so we wouldn't die!

By about mile 4, I needed a quick break, which worked out perfectly because Caleb wanted to get rid of his jacket. It seems that every year I'm so surprised by the amount of hills in this half, even though I've done it twice before! Some of the hills are small, but most of them are huge. The views at the top are always worth it though...even when my calves are screaming.

Caleb and I both ran on and off the rest of the race, but we promised we'd stick together through it. His legs were cramping, and I had some annoying hip pain, but we encouraged each other and couldn't help but smile at all the amazing spectators the entire time. Seriously, I've never seen so many clever signs!!

One of my favorite parts of the course is passing a retirement home and seeing all these elderly men and women cheering us on - some of them had the best signs! It really makes you thankful to be able to get outside and enjoy a nice run. I was also encouraged by the multiple runners who carried heavy American flags - it made me pretty emotional!

After the most vicious hill of my life (my fitbit said I climbed almost "90 flights of stairs"), there was the sweetest group of Veterans singing in a choir. I mean!! How sweet?!?

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We were SO close. We spotted the mile 11 banner and ran the next mile or so without stopping. Once we got to mile 12, though, we felt like we needed a break to walk. At this point, we were just SO exhausted and so ready to see that "finish swine"!!

When we rounded the corner, we knew it was a straight shot to the finish line so we booked it until the end. I always get so emotional when I cross that finish line! Seeing everyone cheering, finally making it. Just gives me such a sense of accomplishment!! We definitely took a little longer to finish than last year, but we didn't really mind. I wasn't trying to PR in this race, I just wanted to cross another half off my list and enjoy it alongside my man! That medal is always worth it!

Once we got home we relaxed for just a couple hours, made sure to stretch out our muscles so they didn't tighten up too much, then headed out for a carb filled post-race meal! 

I'm not sure which half I'll run next, or if I'll run another one at all. I do like this distance, but I may want to switch it up. I haven't decided yet. Like I said last week, I'd really like to work on speed - and getting quick for 5K's, so we'll see!

It was so much fun crossing that finish line with Caleb, though. Accomplishing things in life together is one of my favorite things. It was fun to be each others constant source of encouragement throughout the race. I love that man! Hope everyone had a fun weekend!

Flying Pig Half Marathon {2.0} Recap!!

It happened! Caleb and I ran our second half marathon together! I have to say I wasn't too nervous beforehand, which is strange, seeing as last year I had those crazy weird butterflies in my belly about 4 days prior all the way up until the start line! This year? I had trained much harder...probably not as much as I should've, but I was much more confident in my abilities this year!

I'll admit, when my 4:15 A.M. alarm went off I questioned why in the world I chose to run another one of these?! ;) I stuffed my face with a banana and some Belvita bar-type-deliciousness, and we headed out. We got down to our corral a LOT later than last year...mostly because the two gas stations we went to before we headed downtown had nearly broken down pumps and it wasn't even 5:00 A.M. yet.

When we finally arrived at the correct corral, we all decided to pee, again. You know, that "phantom pee" feeling, because you're just so excited and nervous to cross the start line and you know you haven't had anything to drink in over an hour so there's no way you could have to pee and so you sit in a disgusting porta-potty just to reassure yourself that you won't have to stop during the race (run on sentence much?). Then we took a selfie in front of the porta-potty because hey, why not? & yes, we unintentionally matched.

This year they had the corrals start a few minutes in between each other, but we really didn't notice since we stopped for a bathroom break before hand (and we were kinda late, like I said). We saw the start line, I kicked on my awesome playlist, and took off sprinting. Caleb immediately had to remind me that if I tried to run at that pace, I'd surely die soon ;) he's so awesome. He was definitely setting our pace the entire race, and I'm thankful for that. I just get too excited and want to take off, even though that's absurd!

Surprisingly, miles 1 through 5 were kind of a breeze. I honestly hadn't thought it would be this easy, we kept a pace of about 11-12 minutes/mile throughout this and I know that made all the difference (just like Caleb said). The sun was just beginning to rise as we crossed over one of the bridges, and it was SO gorgeous. I love that you cross into Kentucky, and back into Ohio in this race. The Flying Pig is a great course with some amazing views! I love seeing the city in a way I'm not used to! City skyline, cute coffee shops, the Ohio river, etc. I love my city, and it just motivates me to explore it more! I definitely recommend this course to my fellow half-runners!!

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When we hit mile 7, its pretty much ALL uphill for nearly 3 miles. I'm talking almost a straight incline, and I forgot how hard that was from last years race. Caleb and I did a good job of jogging most of it, but I'll admit, we walked a few minutes. I witnessed something insanely inspirational when I saw a woman probably about my age, strolling her disabled sister UP this monstrous hill...I couldn't even believe it, but I can't thank her enough because it was just the push I needed.

After those crazy hills were over, we had about a mile of straight downhill, which was so GLORIOUS. Then we get to mile 10-11 and guys... I. AM. DEAD. Seriously, I hit a wall. I kept having to slow down, catch my breath, drink a crap ton of water. I truly felt like the end was no where in sight. But - I had Caleb by my side. He encouraged me, listened to me, and most importantly? He pushed me like crazy! We were there for each other and that's just what we needed.

We FINALLY turned the corner after mile 12 and I could see the finish swine (hehe)! I wanted to sprint as fast as I could, but I knew I'd probably fall over from emotions and sheer joy that I could actually see the finish line now. Last year, I cried on my way to the end, and this year? Same story. The amount of spectators and cheering going on from total strangers is overwhelming. Everyone is so amazing and encouraging! We crossed that finish line hand in hand and I felt on top of the world. It's so amazing to me what our bodies will do when we push ourselves! We are capable of so much more than we believe at times.

I'm SO so thankful for this hunk for being by my side through that entire race!

I also haven't taken my eyes off my new finishers medal. I love it!

I do have to say, I missed running side by side with my Erin, but she was there in spirit. During our race we passed a local radio station and yelled her name for a shout out! "WE MISS YOU ERIN!" ;)

I'm extremely proud of us for finishing the race, and how much we pushed ourselves! We ran this one in 2:46, which for me? Is a huge accomplishment. I'm really, really proud of that. Woo! Maybe next year I'll break two and a half hours?! #agirlcandream

In other news, I'm experiencing some serious discomfort. Obviously, pretty much every muscle in my body is constantly on fire, but my right foot is actually in a lot of pain, and I can hardly walk on it. I won't be too concerned unless its like this in another week or so. I've been icing it like crazy at work so I'm hopeful that that will help. Send me some good vibes, friends!

Thanks for reading along!!!

Runners Tell All: Race picture!

Today's runners tell all link up was to share a race photo. When I read that about two months ago I laughed because I'd had like ONE race photo from my 5K a few years back (and up until then it was the only race I'd ever run), and lets be honest, it wasn't pretty. As I can't justify the nearly $30 price tag for race photos, I screen shot a few.... whoops!

This was a really good spot in the race for all of us, in the midst of running over 6 miles straight, we spotted a camera man! Woohoo! Still having a lot of fun at this point.

Then we hit a wall...a very hard, hilly, wall. I'd rather not show you the pathetic pictures of me holding my butt, hips, and knees. They were so achy!

But the finish line was finally near. I will forever curse the marathon photographers for cutting my adorable husband out of this shot...but still, its awesome. Pure joy!

I cannot explain how happy I was! I FINISHED!

But can I be honest? I have never been more proud of myself than I was in that moment. I freaking traveled 13.1 miles ON FOOT. That blows my MIND to think about!!!

I felt so many emotions and so felt so many things during that race.
Motivation...
Exhaustion...
Fear...
Excitement...
Disappointment...
Hope...
Pain...
but more than anything, happiness. I was happy. I did it. Something I had wanted to accomplish for years...and I made it happen, all by my bad self! ;)

Hopefully next time I do a race photo-post, it'll be a little more flattering, but still...I'm proud!
I love running!