Monday, August 29, 2011

Mesa Falls Half Marathon

So, I have started this tradition for myself to do a big race of some kind after having a baby to help me get the extra weight off.  After I had Austin I did a triathlon with my brother Tyler and my Aunt Beth and Uncle Gheen.  After I had Kaleb I wanted to do another one but I don’t have a bike and I don’t have access to a pool in Rexburg.  My friend Amy and I decided to run.  We signed up for the Mesa Falls Half Marathon and began training in April.  We were having a lot of fun training and were beginning to love running.  In July Amy found out she was pregnant and couldn’t do the race.  I was all alone.  There were times when I definitely wanted to throw in the towel and not do the race, but I had already paid my $50 and told everyone I was doing it so I couldn’t back out now.  I am so glad I stuck with it.  It was so rewarding to set a goal that seemed unattainable at times and push my body harder than I have ever pushed before to meet that goal.  Saturday was the race and I had a really great time.  The first 7 miles were really great.  It was a beautiful coarse and I was thinking to myself, “this is so awesome, I am loving this.  I want to do it every year.”  I was definitely feeling the “runners high”.  At about mile 10, I was really starting to hurt.  During miles 12 and 13 my legs hurt so bad it was all I could do to just put one foot in front of the other.  But I made it.  I completed the race in 2 hours 47 minutes.  My goal was to be under 3 hours and I met my goal.  Three days later, my legs still kill and I can barely walk down a flight of stairs, but it was worth it.

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It doesn’t look like I am going very fast because I am not.  I was in so much pain during the final stretch, I thought my legs were going buckle from underneath me.

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As soon as Austin saw me running down the final stretch he broke through the crowd and started running with me.  It was so fun to have Austin cross the finish line with me

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It was so fun to see Austin and the boys cheering me on.  I am so glad they were there to support me!

3 comments:

Mandee said...

You are AMAZING! I don't even think I could make it one mile! I love the pics with Austin...so cute!

dlpower said...

What a great accomplishment. That's a good idea to help stay motivated. I'll never try it because i would fail so I am impressed by your many talents.

jess and seth said...

Brittney, you are something else. I am so impressed! You look great too. How special to have Austin cross the finish line with you!