The husband half- done and done GOOD...

He did it!

So totally did it!

The husband completed his first half marathon!

So, so very proud of him.

Let's start at the beginning :).

Once again, I didn't take any pictures during the race.

The race started kind of late for a summer race- 7:15 am.

We stayed overnight with family that live only 10 minutes

from where the buses were loading (also the finish line).

That made the morning so much easier!

(also a big thanks to my SIL for watching our kids while we ran!)

We got up at 4am, got ready and drove to the buses-

with PLENTY of time to spare.

We had picked up our packets the day before,

so we were able to skip the lines and get on the very first bus.

 Don't we look jazzed to be there?

 Nice dark picture, I know.

I didn't use the flash-

because, when I did, the pics turned out like this:

 Pretty.

It was really nice to have the husband there on the bus

and at the start line as we waited and waited.

I have done quite a few races all alone

and doing them WITH people is definitely the way to go!

There was a 3/4 mile walk to the start from where

the buses dropped us off- so that kinda sucked, but no so bad.

It kept me warm- it was cold up the canyon!

 

Since we were on the first bus, 

we got first crack at the port-o-potties.

That was nice.

We used them once, sat for a bit and then used them again.

Soon the lines were a huge crazy madhouse,

so we were glad we had gotten up there early.

The husband decided he needed to go again-

and I pointed him in the direction of the woods :).

"All the cool guys do it", I said.

So he did it.

 He came out of the woods and told me that 2 girls

were walking out as he went in.

So I made him come in with me as a guard.

Oh yes, I used the forest, too.

I am glad I did it.

By then, the race was close to starting.

This race has a history of starting late- sometimes 45 minutes.

Not this year- the race directors had everything down this year!.

I gave the husband a hug and sent him down to the correct

starting area for the pace he was aiming for.

No, I did not run with him.

We discussed it and decided he would probably do better

at sticking to his paces on his own without me chatting

at him the whole way to the finish :).

I was running completely free for this race.

The husband had my Garmin and I didn't bring music.

 I had such a great time just running and watching other people run.

Such a different experience to race without caring about my paces.

I just ran.

I had a few issues towards the end.

My left foot started hurting at about mile 9.

The same foot that hurt after the Deseret News Marathon.

Just throbbing and not awesome.

I could still run, but it did not feel great. 

My definitely had to slow my pace- plus, all the hills were at the end.

I also had to make an unwelcome pit stop to deal with, uh... women's issues... 

at about mile 10ish.  NOT pleased with this timing.  THAT day- really?

 

Still, I really enjoyed this race.

The course is beautiful and really fast.

If I had come into this race better trained (having ran more than 3 times in 3 weeks!),

it could most definitely be a PR race.

I came in at 1:45:02.

Only about 4 minutes off of my PR, so I feel good about it.

(hello very shadowy picture- don't I look lovely-

and yes, I wore another sparkly skirt)

 

I got my medal, some water-

picked up the husband and my drop bags and put them in the car.

Then I changed my shoes and waited for the husband. 

I never cry when I cross a finish line,

but I always cry watching OTHER people finish...

even people I don't know.

So, of course the tears immediately spilled over as soon 

as I saw my super awesome husband coming down the road.

  He did NOT look like he was loving life at that point-

but he pulled it together for the big finish!

Smiling and everything!

I am crying all over again just posting these pictures.

He finished so strong- no falling down, puking or anything ;).

Seriously, though-

words can't describe how proud I am of him.

 He went from being NOT a runner to running

a HALF MARATHON in just 3 months!

2:28:21

11:19 pace!

He was SO happy to have come in under 2:30!

He told me he was going to wear his medal all day...

and it turns out he was NOT joking :).

 He wore it all day- even when we went to see a movie that afternoon!

I am glad he did- he should be very, VERY proud of his accomplishment.

Most people never even think about running a half marathon.

The best part:

Today I told him I was going to run this race next year.

He said "Maybe I will, too".

Best Day Ever.

***

(the ONLY complaint I have about this race is the finish line food-

or LACK thereof.  There were bananas, watermelon, pineapple and water in paper cups.  Lukewarm water at that.  I love when they have popsicles, bread, etc- but even just bottled water would have been appreciated.)