GOLD VALLEY HALF-MARATHON-2012

Ran the Gold Valley Half-Marathon this morning in Oro Valley, which is a nice little bedroom community outside of Tucson, Arizona. I wasn't expecting to PR because my coach told me that I might still be recovering from last month's marathon. Plus, other folks warned that Gold Valley isn't a PR course because it has hills. Still, I managed to PR by 7 minutes and 12 seconds, but who's counting?! Obviously, I am.  

My final time was 1:53:52. I'm very happy with that time for two reasons. First, it's my first time breaking two hours in a half-marathon! Second, I beat my husband's half-marathon time by about six minutes. But again, who's counting? :P

  

FIRST TIME IN A WETSUIT!

Getting ready for open swim. First time in a wetsuit. It's kinda cool--don't cha think? Makes me look like a Super Hero. Or a seal. :P

LOST DUTCHMAN MARATHON-2012

I'm a little late updating this blog, but better late than never. On Feb. 19th 2012, I finished the Lost Dutchman Marathon. My time: 4:10. I was so EXCITED because my first marathon time was 5:06. I was almost an hour faster this time!
The race was fantastic from start to finish. Here's how it went: Mauricio (my wonderful husband) and I woke up at 3:30 AM and drove to Apache Junction where I caught the shuttle to the start of the race at the base of the Superstition Mountains.
At the start of the race, a hundred little camp fires lit up the night with runners huddled around each fire, trying to keep warm. There was also a nice "warming" bus, and that's where I waited!

Eventually, the sun woke up and the starting gun sounded at 7:00 AM…and off we went! At first, I had to keep slowing down to make sure I didn't overdo it early in the race and lose energy later on. I was able to easily maintain an 8:30-9:00 pace.

The first seven miles were AMAZING! We ran on a dirt road through the desert with mountains, cacti, and boulders all around us. We even ran past a couple of cows (Yes, cows!) on the side of the road. I like to think they were cheering us on!

The first seven miles sped by, and I felt very good. I enjoyed hearing the other runners chitchatting around me. It felt like we were all on a grand adventure together. You could sniff the excitement in the air.

Soon enough, we hit Mile 7 and started running down the highway. I expected to start feeling tired, but I didn't. I was flying! Even the inclines weren't bad.

Soon enough, though, I did start getting tired, and that came around Mile 20. I didn't hit the wall, but I was losing speed and my legs were beginning to protest.  I had to keep repeating to myself: Just keep running. One foot in front of the other. Just keep running.

Before I knew it, I was at Mile 23 and busting through the wall. Literally.

At Mile 25, I looked at my Garmin. Time: 3:59. Are you kidding me? Was my watch broken? I couldn't believe that I was doing so well. I was expecting to finish at 4:30 at best.  A big smile lit up my face as I raced up Lost Dutchman Blvd and around the corner to the Finish Line.

As I ran that final .2 miles to the Finish Line, I could hear my husband and the rest of my racelab teammates yelling my name and cheering me on. Almost there, I told myself, almost there.

Crossing that Finish Line was surreal. I couldn't believe I clocked in at 4:10. I was SO HAPPY and SURPRISED! All I could do was grin from ear to ear when my racelab coach ran up to give me a congratulatory hug. My husband followed soon after--lifting me up in the air and twirling me around. It was one of the BEST moments in my life. VICTORY!

Pre-Marathon Butterflies

Tomorrow is the big day.  Although I've trained hard, I'm nervous. Butterflies in my stomach. Excited beyond belief. It's 12:06 pm and I already have all my race gear organized and ready to go: race number, headband, racelab shirt, socks, shorts, sunscreen, peanut butter GU, shoes, Body Glide, and Garmin. Now I need to psyche myself up to have a good race. Positive thoughts from here on out... I can do this. I've trained hard. I can do it!

LAST 8-MILE RUN BEFORE LOST DUTCHMAN!

About to head out to do my final "long run" before the Lost Dutchman Marathon on February 19th. ONLY 14 miles. Yeah, that's what I say now. It should be easy, but sometimes the runs that should be "easy" are the hardest! My major concern is that I did a 2-hour bike ride yesterday from 3-5 pm. My legs are probably still tired. Oh, well…that's what this is all about, isn't it? To see how much your body and mind can take. And Body Glide. It's always about the Body Glide. (Especially when you forget to apply it before a long run!)

IF YOU SEE ME COLLAPSE, PAUSE MY GARMIN.

Getting excited about Lost Dutchman! Since this is only my second marathon, I must be prepared for all possibilities. So, just in case I collapse, "Pause My Garmin!" :P

LAST LONG RUN BEFORE LOST DUTCHMAN

Arizona Canal with Camelback Mountain in Background

I'm training for my second marathon. Arizona's Lost Dutchman on Feb. 19, 2012. Today, I finished my last LONG RUN before race day--a 20-mile run along the beautiful Arizona Canal. My mantra: "Feets Don't Fail Me Now!" And they didn't. Thank goodness.