Run Little Run Little Run Little Courtney

Okay so its been awhile since I have last updated my blog.  I sometimes feel like I repeat myself and have had difficulty with what I was going to post about.  I decided I would post about the Vegas Half, and the Hot Chocolate Run! 

If any of you really know me, you know that I despise running.  I truly hate it.  Nothing about running is fun. Nothing about running makes me feel good.  I know its good for me, but I really hate it.  Which I guess is why I try to do it.  If I can do something that I hate, then I can do anything right?? 

SEVERAL months ago I signed up for the Vegas Half.  I have done 2 half marathons previous to the Vegas, but just so we are all clear, I never trained.  I literally went out and walked 13.1 miles.  And i literally almost died both times.  So if I knew I was going to be doing it, and I was training it couldn't be that bad right?  I trained for a few months, but really never ran over 4 miles.  I was doing Pure Barre at the same time too, which I knew was helping to strengthen my legs, but when it was one week for the Half, I was a little freaked out, I knew I could run to mile 4, push myself and go to 6 maybe but I thought that would be it. 

Let me take a quick break to give a shout out to my dad... I am so incredibly proud of him. He did so amazing at his first half marathon ever.  As a matter of fact he pushed me and was my rock throughout the entire race.  He had such a blast, and I couldn't have asked for a better running partner for this race.  Words cannot describe how proud of him I am.  

My dad and I were running down the strip, and three miles went by pretty quickly (If you have a chance to run this race, do it! Its awesome, and has great scenery!) and before I knew it we were at mile 6, we were feeling really good at that point in time I though HOLY SHIT im going to actually run the whole damn thing.  At mile 7 I really started to feel it in my feet, and more in my knee.  I have had knee problems in the past, but push through it, I don't want to let it stop me.  Mile 7-9 took a little bit of a turn, we started to get into a neighborhood, it was quieter, and more and more people started walking.  At mile 9 I really hit a wall.  I honestly wasn't sure at that point how much further I could go.  So mile 9 I started walking.  My dad jogged beside me until about 9.5 miles and then started to walk with me.  I promised myself before starting that I would only walk 1 mile at a time.  At mile 10 my dad asked if he could start running (DUH! Don't let me hold you back) and I just couldn't my knee was swelling and I was in so much pain.  I walked from mile 9-12 and I ran in from mile 12 to 13...

I really wanted to be able to run the whole thing but was so proud of myself for running 9 freakin miles!  At mile 7 I was on pace to finish in 3 hours (my goal was 3:15) but since I had to walk and slowed down a lot, I finished in about 3:22.  I promised myself to never run another half, but I know I will, I need to get down to 3 hours. :) 

The crazy thing is, people were finishing the full when I was finishing the half! When I finished I luckily found my dad and we stopped to get our chocolate milk, water, Gatorade, bagels, medals, and beer... although I had one sip of water and wanted to be sick.  At least I got the medal right?  We had about another mile and half to two mile walk back to the hotel, which wasn't fun, but probably good for me to not lay down immediately.  

Then Thanksgiving came and went, I got back to Pure Barre, and had the Hot Chocolate 5k this past weekend.  A 5k is 3.1 miles which seems like nothing after 13.1 but it was early and and cold and I really wasnt feeling it when I got there.  Parker came to support me, which was awesome, love him for getting up nice and early to come watch me run, or really to watch me start and finish.  

That first mile is always the hardest, the most congested, and you have to find your breathing and your pace.  I ended up finishing with a personal best time of under 40 mins, just barely with 39 minutes, but now I am reaching for 35 or under.  So I guess I have to continue to run.  Unfortunately.  As much as I hate it, I really want to get better. 

Its a weird addiction.