Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon

Saturday morning, April 28th Ryan, Adam, my friends Kelly and Kim, and I ran the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon. It was a whopping 36 degrees when the race started but we dressed right and I felt really comfortable. It helps when you've been running in cold weather all winter to know what to wear.

I started with Ryan and Adam but they left me pretty quickly. I was amazed how many people were running the race, about 1200! I caught up with Adam around mile 2 and we ran down into the gardens together. The garden path wound and twisted but it was really pretty. There were tulips and tunnels and a waterfall and all sorts of interesting things to look at. I stayed with Adam off and on through the gardens, mostly I stayed behind him, but at least I was ahead of the 2:10 pacer! That made me feel really good. The pacer finally caught up to me after mile 5. I said, "no, don't do it!" And he laughed. But he told me I was doing 9:58 going up the hill out of the gardens so I was really happy. He passed me but I stayed behind him for the next two miles. 

I felt really good for the first six miles but then we hit the golf course. It was some kind of evil. It was just uphill and downhill over and over again for the next five miles with no breaks. Just when I thought it would level out I found myself going up again. Oh my. At mile 10 I just wanted it to be over. I tried to look around and enjoy the view and not think about all the nightmare hills but there was a little voice inside of me that was weeping. I was really tired. I ignored the voice because there was another voice that said, "I think you're going pretty fast". The 2:10 pacer was well ahead of me and out of sight but the 2:20 pacer hadn't caught me yet so I just kept telling myself to relax, watch my stride, breath and keep moving as fast as I could. 

When I got to mile 11 I told myself I only had about 20 minutes left so I gave it everything I had (which wasn't much). The last mile was the hardest, though. I couldn't see the finish line and I felt like the run was never going to end. When I finally saw Ryan I asked him how much farther and he looked at me like I was crazy. He said, "it's right there." I turned the corner and ran the shoot to the finish. 

The most amazing thing is that I finished in 2:15 (a 10:22 pace) which is 6 min. faster than my last half marathon and that one was all downhill! This one was definitely tougher. I've been on some kind of high all weekend just thinking about it. All of that training this winter with my super great running partner has totally paid off. Amazing!

Ryan and Adam did great too. Ryan finished in 1:59 (a 9:06 pace!) and it was his first ever half marathon! Adam got his best half marathon time of 2:22 (a 10:50 pace)! It was a great day for everyone!

I took a picture at the race with my phone but lost it somehow so I had Dallin take another picture when we got home.

I do have to add one note about the race. It was the best supported race I've ever seen. They had aid stations every 2-3 miles and they were stocked with Gu, Powerade, Water, oranges and bananas. There were also plenty of porta potties but the regular public restrooms in the garden were also open. I'm not usually one to stop at aid stations or even use the restroom (I wear a running belt) but I know people who really depend on them and I appreciated how prepared everything was. I've been in races before where they've run out of water or had long lines for the bathrooms. Whoever planned this race really took the runners needs into consideration. And I loved the 2:10 pacer. He was super friendly and helpful. I could see him always talking to everyone around him. Ryan said his pacer was also super nice and offered a lot of encouragement. Overall there was a wonderfully positive atmosphere which really helped everyone get through such a demanding course.

With our race packets we received two tickets each to all the venues at Thanksgiving Point. Unfortunately they were only good for that day. My mom was having a dinner for Adam for his birthday so while I went to the dinner Ryan took the kids back to Thanksgiving Point. They went through the dinosaur museum, saw the baby animals, and rode on the ponies. Dallin took some great pictures.

It stayed pretty cold all day so I told the kids to take jackets. Dallin forgot his so Cameron lent him hers. Hee hee hee.

You can see Evelyn squealing at this totally cute baby Shetland pony. The kids all said they had a super great time, even though it was still pretty chilly.

It was a great day but Ryan and I were both so glad when we finally dropped into bed that night.