Mercedes Marathon

I keep forgetting to post about my first marathon in February. It was a great experience and I didn't die!;) Although I hit mile 18 and pretty much hit a wall.  My final time was 4:18.  Which I am happy about.  My goal was just to finish and get under 4:30.  My calves cramped a ton after mile 23 and even had some spasms in my foot that I couldn't control, but they didn't last long.  I learned alot from that race.  Since then I ran my best 5k time post kids, 22:43. I also ran my best half marathon time on a very hilly course in Homewood, Al in 1:52.13.  My goals now are to run in Tallahassee full marathon in Feb. of 2014.  The people I train with are shooting to BQ, but I know that is a very far reaching goal for me.  I would have to get under 3:40.  I would love to break four hours in that race.  I also want to break 1:50 in the half marathon and am setting my sights on Talladega in September and Florence in October.  It is great meeting with friends pretty consistently now 2-3 times a week for speed work and hills.  Getting up at 4am doesn't seem so bad knowing I have that accountability and fun running with them.  I have also been going to body pump at the Y twice a week and spin class once a week.  I just wish I could get healthier eating habits going more consistently.  Definitely going to do better at this! All in all I'm enjoying the running experience, loving the challenges and hard work it brings.  Just hope my body holds up and my feet stay healthy...still dealing with a lot of heel pain, but getting some new shoes in the next couple of days! I am looking forward to that! Soli deo Gloria!