Big Sur Half Marathon in Monterey

We did it!

 

It feels so wonderful to be done after months of hard training!! This was my favorite race that I've done so far. The route was gorgeous. The runners and crowd and music all along the way made for a great atmosphere. Running it with dave (ahead of me of course!) and my running buddy made it a perfect race. I felt strong the entire time which was really great after having a flat line on my first half marathon. I think it was the box of raisins I inhaled before we started, the four gels that I sucked through the race (even carrying one in my sports bra at one point) and keeping fueled up on water and Gatorade from my pack (which I didn't have for my first half). I learned from the mistakes from my first half marathon and it felt so great to not just get a better time for this race, but to also feel like it was a good,strong run!

Dave finished in 1:48:44 I finished in 2:03:08  (3 minutes faster than my first half marathon; but an easier route this time) (Dave finished 7 minutes faster than his goal time)
The average finish was 2:25 for female and men's average finish was 2:08 (pretty cool to be above average for men and women!)
For Hollister Dave finished #1 and I was #5 ( #2 for women; missing the #1 women's spot by 8seconds) There were 25 Hollister runners.
I am so proud of dave doing his first half marathon and getting such a good time, and here all along he thought he could never go long distance and was just a sprinter. I know God's having a good laugh over all this.

race weekend (family day and race day in Monterey)

Anyway our legs are so sore today but we're smiling and feeling happy. I felt so thankful while I was running, for a healthy body, for strength, and for family who watched the boys and those that couldn't make it who still encouraged us and rooted for us. When I run I feel so much gratitude for the Lord's creation and running along beautiful Monterey staring at the ocean, well let's just say I was in my happy place with good songs playing and the pavement on my feet. I still can't believe here I am, finally considering myself a runner. So, I thought this would be my last half marathon...but now I'm thinking it won't. I would do that race again in a heartbeat. It was a gorgeous day, and such a fun race!

thanks for babysitting nani and poppa!!!

It's a happy Monday and a Happy Birthday to my sweet hubby too :) I love you more each day. So blessed by you.