Yes, I endured all of the above to run the Provo City Half Marathon on May 1st. It was my sixth race at this distance and although it wasn't my fastest time and I was very wet and cold, I'm glad I did it. Besides the weather it really was beautiful. The course started at the Provo Tabernacle, wound around Provo Towne Center Mall, to Utah Lake on country roads, then back on the Provo River Trail. I even went right by my house with a mile to go but I wasn't stopping there! I finished strong and to the love of my husband and family.
In the last seven and a half years of running and racing my family has always been there to cheer me on to the finish line, and now Christian too! Three years ago I ran the Moab Half Marathon and my dad, little bro Daniel and I camped out the night before. My dad said to me, Who knows, maybe next year you'll have a boyfriend or husband taking you to this race! Well it wasn't the next year and it wasn't the same race, but it wasn't too far from the truth. Now it's a reality! I have my sweet, funny husband to drop me off, motivate me and make me smile before I run my guts out. I can't describe how happy it makes me that he supports this part of my life and that my family has been there all along the way :)
Another awesome part of running spring road races is how it keeps you motivated through one of the most difficult exercising times of the year (Jan-April). It's great to feel like you're in good shape - physically and mentally. Satisfaction is an understatement - and that's why I do it.
And while we're on the topic, I have to share this article that made me smile: the unspoken rules of running. If you're a runner, it will make you laugh. If you're not a runner, we will become weirder to you than you already thought we were.
This is before the race, when it actually looked like it was going to be a nice day
