Back again! Recapping august 2013

Keeping up a blog is so hard to do! But going back and reading posts of things you have done in life is so rewarding! So I am going to catch up my life before I forget :)

In August I unexpectedly had the opportunity to run a half marathon! My step mom had signed up for the big cotton wood half last year but due to moving and other big life events she didn't have time to train! So a few days before the race she asked if I would take her spot! And even though I was super nervous I did it :) 

My amazing husband drove me down to cottonwood heights at 4am and dropped me off (then drove all the way back home) at the high school where the buses were waiting to take all the runners up the mountain! I boarded the bus and sat next to a complete stranger for about 40 minutes while we drove up the canyon, we had a nice conversation it never caught each other's names. When we go dropped off half way up the canyon it was pitch black and freezing! There were hundred of people doing anything they could to stay warm. I just wandered around and stood in the honey bucket line for awhile. Then out of nowhere I see my favorite dance coach of all time Jodie Winterton! We talked for a minute then they announced that the race was starting. 

The course was gorgeous, it was a steep down hill with some switch backs, it was really cool to see SO many people running and to hear everyone's feet hitting the pavement! I've always been told to pick your pace at the beginning and run that pace the whole time. My adrenaline forced me to choose a way faster pace then I was used to, but I felt like I could maintain it, and I did!! 

I felt like I was flying down the mountain, and I loved it! Once we left the canyon we were running through the streets and there were hundreds of people cheering us on, the adrenaline rush that I got from seeing those people brought tears to my eyes it was amazing!

The last 3 miles were the hardest and the thing that pumped me back up was (don't laugh) katy Perry's song ROAR! I don't care how cheesy that is, it gave me the boost I needed to finish the race strong and fast! Once I rounded the corner and could see the final stretch my only thoughts were "where is Elias" as I was running I was scanning the crowd for Elias, and once I found him I ran that much faster through the finish line :) it was so much fun!!!

Here I am! Red faced sweaty and all! (The weather was cool enough to leave my long sleeves on all the way to mile 12! 

When we got to the car my husband had a nice cold chocolate milk waiting for me :) and also a rockstar recovery energy drink! He is the best supporter ever!! 

My first half marathon race was an AMAZING experience!! And I am hoping to do the big cottonwood half again in 2014 :)

-Stef