So I started running again in 2011 after having five kids. For almost 7 years I was either pregnant or nursing. Taking care of five kids five and under, homeschooling and just living life didn't leave much time for exercising. So in 2011 after seeing my sis in law run in a half marathon I decided I wanted to run one to...just once! I ran my first one in April of 2011 in the Country Music half marathon in Nashville, TN. I ran it in 2:27. I pretty much hit a wall on mile 9, and I can't remember the last part of that race!;) I was not prepared or ready for it at all. So I decided after that to do Insanity. I did it for four weeks and hurt my knee pretty bad. So I took the next six months off and didn't do anything. I gained weight and felt horrible! So on January 1st, 2012. I got up at 6am and ran 6 miles. It was the start of my training for the Mercedes half that was only a little over a month away. I was able to run with a friend and ran it in 18 degree weather, and ran it in 2 hours and 16 minutes. Much improved, but I still felt I could do better. I kept up with my running, running by myself about 3-4 times a week whenver I could fit it in. Mostly at night after the kids were in bed, which is never a good time to run or a safe time. I ran the Nashville half again in April and came in at 2:13 despite the hills and heat. After this, I heard about the Helena Endurance Running Group (HERG) that met together on Saturday mornings to run. I started runnng with them, and it helped me so much to run with a group, and stay accountable and motivated. Through this group I met Kasey, and we started running together during the week as well. She gave me speed workouts to do and we met at the Y to do them on the treadmill once a week in the morning. We then started meeting in the morning one day a week and running hills in her neighborhood.
This fall I signed up for the Triple Crown Challenge which is running in three different half marathons, and after completing all three you get a special medal and t-shirt. I was up for this challenge, so I signed up for it. The first race was at the Talladega Superspeedway, which was awesome. I beat my PR by 12 minutes and came in at 2:01.23. I was very happy with this, but now had that itch to break that 2 hour mark! The second half marathon was the United Cerebal Palsey race in Florence, AL! I came in at 1:54.50. I was shocked at the time. I didn't feel really bad until the last mile, and kept up an 8:45 pace. I have had a few nagging injuries. One being my Achilles that has hurt me since the Nashville race in April. It is getting better, but after this last race my heel has been bothering me feeling like a deep bruise in it. I am going to start spinning with Kasey once a week as well and running four days a week! I have started the Hal Higdon Novice 1 marathon training for the Mercedes marathon in February! I am very excited for this journey, and am even thinking about trying out a small Triathalon next year. Guess I need to buy a bike and learn how to swim better!;) Thanks for joining me in this journey and I hope some part of this inspires you as well! To God be the glory!
