a PR

I figured out the key to run a PR race.  Don't train for it and sign up the night before.  OK, so maybe that won't work every time, but it worked for me.  I have been really wanting to sign up for another half marathon since my last one was last March and I knew with all of my marathon training that I had become a faster and stronger runner since then.  I had been trying to decide on one to sign up for when last minute my friend told me about one right in my neighborhood that was happening in less than 2 weeks.  Lucky for  me I had just ran 12 miles, but seriously hadn't done much more than 8 miles at a time since the marathon.  I waited until Friday night to sign up and even then almost didn't do it since I felt a cold coming on. But decided to just bite the bullet and do it.

 The race was the Southern California Half Marathon which started just a couple miles from my house.  I was expecting a small crowd and was surprised to get there and see about 6,000 participants.  It didn't start until 8AM and with a 5 minute drive it was a really strange feeling to sleep in that morning and have plenty of time to get ready for the race.   Luckily the course was nice and flat.  I felt pretty great from the start and was happy that I kept a great pace the whole race.  I've only run three half marathons prior to this one with my fastest being the Santa Barbara half with a time of 1:48.  I was really hoping to break 1:45, so I was thrilled when I came in at 1:42:28 (pace of 7:49).  It was really great seeing Matt and the kids cheer me on at 3 different points in the race and at the finish line.

Growing up,  I never felt like I was good at anything.  I always hated the young women's lessons when we had to talk about our talents, because I felt like I didn't have any worth mentioning.  I don't sing, play musical instruments, or dance, and I am definitely not crafty or artistic in any way.  I was an average athlete - played soccer in high school - but nothing to brag about.  But I guess it's never too late to find and develop your talents.  And although of course I am not the best runner out there, I feel pretty good at it....something I can feel proud of.  I am just sad I didn't start earlier!  As I told Matt when we were watching the Olympics last week....we are already past our athletic prime.  But here's to hoping I have many more good years of running in my future.  And maybe now to breaking 1:40?  Better go find a good downhill race in Utah.