Heartbreak Ridge 1/2 Marathon - Training & 1st race!

 

Months ago, Corbin had told me about this half marathon and that he could do it for free and his mom was planning on coming out and running it with him. I was so excited for them, it sounded way fun! I thought to myself, I wish I could run that but the longest I've ran is 5 miles, how the heck could I run 13.1?!!!
(Click Hereto read my post on how I got into running!!)

Well, as Corbin started his training plan I would go running after him after he got home. Just to do my little run. Each time I ran, I kept telling myself that I really wanted to do that half with them. REALLY BAD. So, I told Corbin and he helped me find a training plan and I started! I was determined to follow it and keep whatever my plan said.

Wow. I love a good training plan. Best thing of my life. It helped my running a billion times more then I ever thought a "training plan" could. First of all, it's an already planned out running schedual for months or weeks in advance so you already know what's coming. Second, if you keep up with the plan, your running keeps up with you. Seriously! It really works!!

Week by week, I would go for my runs. Each time getting a little better. I have never drank so much water in my life. That's where I learned how important hydrating is. Very important.

Every saturday was the long run on my schedule. When I first started out, It would be 6 or 7 miles. I would get so nervous cause that was really long to me. And after each run I would be out of breath and so tired and sore.
Then... after so much running each week, I just became so use to it. I was getting better. I would get excited to go for my runs. At 8, 9 and 10 I couldn't wait to go! I really started to enjoy running because I found my comfort zones. My right breathing and running techniques. It felt so good to love running cause I could never really just enjoy it!

During those training weeks, I lost about 9 or 10 pounds. I gained a lot of respect for myself for keeping to my running and not giving up. I set a goal for the half marathon and I was so determined to do it dang it! Self esteem went UP.

The last week before the race, I was getting STOKED. Saturday could not come faster!!
I seriously counted down the days.

My in-loves (in-laws but I love them so laws = loves) flew out and we were excited to have them come visit! We've had fun with them and they treated us to Knotts Berry Farm- the day before our race! (We were hoping our legs wouldn'd get too tired)
I was excited to run my first race with the one and only who inspired me to run- mCat - has been having some stomach issues so she's cutting down the long distance running for a little! But I know there will be a lot more races to do with her in the future :)

RACE DAY CAME!!!
Woke up at 5:30 a.m. Got ready and left. Registered, got our bibs, shirts, chips on our shoes and were ready to go! Wait time started. Loved seeing all the runners (half of them Marines) all in their gear and getting ready and waiting to go too!

Chloee also had her 1K Kids race! mCat ran that with her. Cutest thing ever. She is just like her dad...
competitive. They had the older kids start in the front so the littles wouldn't get trampled over but every time Chlo got passed by someone she would pull Mimi even harder! She is such a little runner. Love it!! mCat blogged it perfectly, Click Here to view!



 

 



 

 

The race was planned to start in waves. First the Marine men, second - civilian men, then all the ladies!

 

 

These Marine's ran in full on fatigues, boots and gas masks while carrying the flag! Awesome. Definitely respect them.


They called up the Marines and Corbin went to the start line. I was so excited for him! I knew he would do great. Waited for the 'GO' and OFF they were!

 

 

Then, the civilian men, and I got ready to line up.



Next up, the ladies! I was up! Got to the starting line and watched the countdown. I was more excited than nervous! I knew it would be hard. I knew there were big hills that I didn't train for, and they started us out at 8:50 ish so it was starting to get hot. But my only goal was to finish and accomplish the race and I knew I would do just that!

 

3, 2, 1... GO!

I passed Melissa, Dave and Chlo on the run out of the chute and I was on my way!

I was so excited to get going and everyone around me was taking off, I had to remind myself to slow down and run at my comfortable pace to save my energy and legs for the rest of the race.

Throughout mile 1, I felt as though I was entertaining myself by people watching. Some speeding past me, some I was passing up, some big, some little, but we were all in it for for the race.

As I got to mile 3, there was already a huge hill!! I could already see some runners struggling up. As I got to the hill, I remember in articles I've read.. to take small short steps one after the other insead of long strides. But it's up to the runner and what works best for them. The small short running steps sounded better at the moment, and was working for me! It was getting so hard up that hill, I got about a 3rd of the way and started taking long steps up using my hands on my knees to help push me up. I was thinking I should have done some hiking to help train me for these hills!! I got to the top and the dirt surface was flat for a about a minute then again, it was up hill. A little shorter then the last and by the time I got up I was so ready for some water and hallelujah there was an aid station! I grabbed some water drank some and poured the rest on my head. One of the best feelings ever. I also grabbed a slice of orange on my way to get a little vitamin C. Then it went pretty down hill from there. I like the down hills so I can fly down the hill and get a good breeze but then it's hard on the knees. Got to the bottom and just kept my comfortable pace!

Along the way were some hills but not as bad. I just kept following the trail and the arrows. I was really enjoying it! It was fun! A new place to run, the beautiful outdoors to look at and with hundreds of other running buddies that are enjoying it too.

As I got to mile 5 my left ankle started hurting. I tried to think of what I was doing wrong. I made sure I was running heel to toe and just kept on it the best I could. Shortly after my right knee was having a small pain.. Crap! Tried to shake it out but it didn't work. I just kept going and was hoping I could get through to the end without injury!!

Around mile 6 a few guys started passing me on their way to the finish line. Wow! They are fast! I got excited thinking that soon I would see Corbin passing me too :) I kept running and watching as each guy passed with more and more coming, trying to spot out Corbin. When I saw him truggin' along just great, made me happy! I knew he would do it just fine but it's good to see my husband safe and sound. As he passed me he shouted out words of encouragement and that I was doing great! I felt that up'd my performance and I felt good to go and better then ever!

At each mile there was an aid station with water and gatorade. I kept looking for more oranges or bananas or any energy bites I could get. Nope, nothing! So the gatorade would have to do. I remembered mCat's advice which was drink water, next station drink gatorade, next water.. and so on. I did that and it worked perfect.

I finally got to the turn-a-round point and felt great at half way! Yeah, a bit tired but I knew what I should feel, thanks to my long run trainings.

Everytime I would pass up someone who looked like they were struggling I'd give a quick, "You're doing great, keep it up!!" or something. Cause when runners would shout that to me, it would really help. To know someone at some point knew how you felt and that they cared to share some encouragement! And just maybe I could give a little myself. :)

I passed quite a few old peeps! I absolutely look up to them. I think that is the coolest thing, 60+ year old runners. I hope that will be me some day!!

Got to mile 8 and 9 and tried to tune into my music and enjoy the run the best I could with my lame ankle still bothering me.

Before the race I had only got to 10 miles with my training started a few weeks short. So I knew I would have to push through the last couple miles. As I ran up to mile 10 I could see that huge hill coming up again! I was already pretty tired at 10 and ankle and knee still buggin' but I didn't let the hill get in my way. I just kept truggin' along the best I knew how. I pretty much hiked up the hill, remembering this was the orange station and was fighting my way to get to the slice of orange! Yes, the orange was my motivation for the hill. And of course when I got to the top, there. were. no. oranges. Real bummer! But oh well! Sipped some gatorade and down the hill I came. I couldn't go as fast because of my knee and ankle but kept a good stride. On the hill was a man laying on his back with some paramedics hoovering over him, helping him. I wonder what had happened? Passed out of dehydration? Slipped down the hill and hurt his leg? He looked like a strong guy but today was just not his day. I felt really bad as I passed and was on my way.

I caught up to a girl whom we kept passing eachother almost the whole race. I decided to say hi and tell her she was doing awesome to get my mind off my hurt and tiredness. She was really nice and we kept small talk for about a half mile then we lost eachother at mile 11.

Knowing there was only 2 more miles to go, I could only think of the finish line and not my hurt! I was thinking how much I put into my training and now the race was almost over and how I would feel! I was just happy in my shoes!

I was almost to mile 12 and I could see my mother-in-love at the aid station, she spotted me out and started cheering me on!! Right there, I tell you, I got a HUGE boost of energy. I got teary eyed just seeing her, I was almost done but yet so tired and she was there to run with me the last mile on my first race. She, the one who inspired me to run, who gave me so much tips and advice the past year, the one who surprised me with new running shoes for the race (because I didn't have the right kind and my feet would hurt and blister after each long run) and the reason I was a runner.

I got to her and she said I looked great!! She asked me how I was and honestly, I was hurt and so tired but all the adrenaline- I felt like a million bucks! I could just keep going and going! There were just a few small hills to go and she kept up the encouragement and love and kept my mind off my hurt! My knee started to have a sharp pain.. no! Not the last mile! I was almost done and didn't want to stop there!.. mCat just kept talking me through it and keeping my mind off of it! We got to almost the end and ahead I could see my husband and my Chloee and Dave! They were all cheering me on and I started to push harder and harder and up'd my speed! As I passed them, Corbin was yelling out for me that I could do it, almost finished! And Chloee was blowing me kisses and saying, "Go mommy! Go mommy!" Best last mile ever.

I ran past them and Could see the finish line.. just a little more to go.. mCat told me when I got to the chute, to push it as hard as I could like never before!

Almost there, almost there... Chute... PUSHED AND SPRINTED THROUGH THE FINISH LINE!!!!

(No pics of me through the finish line but here is right after!!)

Wow. Words cannot express the feeling of accomplishing a goal that was well worked for.
I was so overwhelmed and happy! I saw my Corbin running to me and he gave me the biggest hug and told me how proud of me he was! Yes of course I started crying! I was too happy not to. (I'm crying as I type it! Haha)

I was done. I did it. I ran a half marathon! Something I NEVER thought I could do and I did it and no one could ever take that away.

I love running. I want to go run another race right now! I want to be were the runner vibe is. I like that I can relate to runners. I like that I can have a goal for my next race and try harder and improve each time. I like that I earned my first race tech shirt. I love that I only had one small blister! I love it all!

I can't wait to run a race with mCat and I hope I can inspire others to run like she did to me. <3

 

Here are pictures of when Corbin finished!

So proud of him and Chloee on their race too!!! <3



Thank you for taking your time to read!!!

My story of running!..So far :)

I can't tell you how excited I was in this picture!!

If someone would have told me a year ago that I would become a runner, I probably would have just laughed and said, "YEAH RIGHT". Whenever I was told I had to run in elementary, jr. high, or high school, or in cheer I would dread it. DREAD. I hated the word "running". Running was neeeeveeer something I thought I could do for fun. I just thought it wasn't in the cards for me. There have been no runners in my family. We have bad knees... blah blah such and such.

During and after high school I was getting a little chubby. My pants were getting harder and tighter to put on, I had big love handles, and my arms and face were a little bigger also. I wasn't at the healthiest part of my life either. I didn't feel cute and that really brings down confidence and self esteem.

AND THEN

I met Corbin.
<3 <3 <3
THEN

I met Melissa my mother-in-love.

She is a full. on. runner.
Marathons, Halfs, Triathalons, 10s and 5s... everything. Any race at any time, swimming-running-biking- she'll do it.

I started going to the gym every morning with her before work and taking the fun classes!

 During winter, she would run on the dreadmills... So.. I thought I would try it out. I sucked. I couldn't run 5 minutes without running out of breath and stopping. It was hard to tell myself to keep going. I would tell myself to just stop cause I sucked and I could never run like her! I had to stop thinking that way and stop being a baby and just keep trying. So I did. I was always asking her questions on how to get better and she would give me such great tips! I was able to get to around 2 or 3 miles. With stopping.

Once I got engaged, of course I was gonna try even harder to look good for my Corbin and my wedding!
 That was my motivation.
And I did.. I worked harder.

I would stop doing the classes and jump on the treadmill instead. And started to like it, just a little, cause I was improving.. just a little.
I really was trying my best and after a while I was able to run to around 4 miles.. with less stopping.
I would eat healthier, make sure I got my protien in and get good sleep.

My wedding rolled around and I had lost some weight!

I felt good about it. :) I was happy. Corbin was proud of me and I felt really good in my wedding dress!!

After we got married I would occasionally go to the gym. I didn't go every morning anymore cause I got kinda busy with my new life!

My sister Kayla started Weight Watchers and lost 60 pounds!!! She looks SO good!! She also inspired me to stay healthy. She learned how to still eat whatever you want and still lose. She taught me a little bit about it and I would get excited to try it but.. I didn't keep up on it. I already love fruits and veggies so I would just eat smaller portions or just.. healthier. She now works for WW so she can stay on it herself and help other people! I'm really proud of her!

Beginning of 2012 I started going to the gym more since I had been slacking big time. We only have one car so when Corbin would go to work Chlo and I would walk down the street to the gym.. it's just a room with workout equipment and a gated area for kids to play and watch cartoons. Chlo loved playing in the gate so it worked out for me! I would do my workout and after we would go to the park so Chlo could play and "get her work out just like mommy!"

I was able to get to 5 miles! I would try to get the the gym at least 3 times a week.

I started seeing results!!

I found the coolest app/website for running. MapMyRun. It changed my life! Well, not really.. but it motivated me to keep running cause I can log my workouts and it would keep track of how many miles, calories, pace and all that good stuff!

Corbin is also a good runner and would go running sometimes when he got home. Him and his mom found out about the Marine Corps Marathon. Of course Melissa really wanted to do this race and how awesome would it be to go with her Marine son?!! She told him about it and he was of course down!I am so excited for them!! That will be such a great experience for them both.
So his training began....
Corbin got a training schedual so he could prepare himself for the crazy 26.2 miles. Holy crapola. That is a lot. But he could do it! He is pretty much good at everything he puts his mind to!

So.. a couple months ago, he started running a lot. So.. of course.. He inspired me and I wanted to run a lot too. After he would go running, I would go after him. I learned that OUTSIDE running is SO MUCH better then the dang treadmill. Which, made me enjoy it tooons more. I started looking up 5K's and 10K's to try out. See if I liked the racing life.. see if I could get into it.

A few months ago, Corbin told me there is a half marathon in September and his mom is gonna come out and they are gonna run it together! I was exited I could be there and watch them at the finish line!

Then.. the more I thought about it.. the more I really, really, just wanted to do it too. I was jealous I couldn't run like them. I had been trying so hard and I wasn't ready for a half. That was crazy talk for me. But the more I ran, I kept telling myself I could do it. So I told Corbin I wanted to run it too and that I was gonna train and do the best I can to prepare myself for the 13.1 miles. Holy crap, again. That's still a lot. BUT I was dedicated.

I set a goal, Corbin told me the best thing to do is start a training plan.. I looked up half marathon training for beginners and started training it up the next couple months!!



During the weeks I have to run up to 3-6 miles 4 days of the week. One rest day and one cross training day. Then every Saturday is my long run train. It started out at 6 the next Sat was 7, then 8, 9, 10 and so on. It was hard on the Saturdays for the 6 and 7 miles. But the longer runs on the next Saturdays were a breeze!!!! Can you believe that? It's hard for me to believe it still.
Training plans REALLY WORK. I love it. I love that I can run long runs and stop only a couple times.. or sometimes make myself stop to prevent injury. And enjoy the run at the same time.

I worked very hard on my training and a week before the half marathon I definitely felt I was ready! I was so excited I could hardly stand it!

Corbin took this pic to show me I was looking fit. This was while we were moving!

 

Corbin and I had just sat down from such an exhausting day of long runs and non-stop business. This was funny cause all we could do was just sit there and do nothing. I could barely hold the Fiber One box to snack on...of course we were so tired it was funny! It was a "had to be there moment"

 

 

Corbin was so cute. While I was on a run he would get my water and my protien drink all ready to go! It's the little things <3

 

I made a whole blog about my race Click Here to view!!

After my race, I have never felt so healthy in my life!! I have never felt so good about myself and most importantly I proved to myself I could do it.


Running is the most challenging, and yet most rewarding thing I have ever done. It has taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to and that even though it might not always be easy, it's always worth it. Always! It's taught me to push myself beyond where I ever thought I could go and to believe in myself. It has helped me to appreciate my body and health all the more and to not take anything for granted. And so far, I haven't regretted it... who ever regrets working out?! No body ever.

 

THANK YOU to:

My Heavenly father, without him, I would not be where I am today. I pray everynight to help me through it all and he definitely answers my prayers. Always. I could never thank him enough.

 Melissa for inspiring me in the first place... If it wasn't for her, I would have never started on that dang treadmill or going to the gym in the mornings. For being my buddy every morning. For all the tips. For anwering my phone calls and questions about my injuries and what to do next! For surprising me with the right running shoes I desperately needed. To being there for my first race and running the last tough mile with me! To pretty much getting me alllll started!
For also inspiring me to BLOG!! Again, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be blogging. And you wouldn't be reading this.

My amazing husband for helping me through my bad runs (sometimes he would go with me and helped me mentally cause I would freak myself out listening to my horrible breathing). For always telling me I can do it. For also giving me lots of tips. For having the Marine mind of never quitting which has definitely rubbed off onto me :) For his example of running all the time. For always reminding me to hydrate.. drinking tons and tons and tons of water alllll the time. For popping my runner blisters (ick). For taking care of me after the long runs and I just wanted to lay there and hurt and cry a few times. For always telling me he is so proud of all my hard work. And for what every wifey wants to hear.. For all the compliments!!!

My sister Kayla for staying strong in her goal to lose weight and losing 60+ pounds! For showing me how to grocery shop healthy and just little tips and tricks to eat healthy overall. For her example!

For my mom for ALWAYS saying she's so proud of me!! Always believing in me.

And for my little Stinker butt Chlo! During the times at the gym she will always come up in front of my treadmill and cheer me on! "Go mommy! Go mommy! Go mommy! You can do it! Yay good job!" etc...
That right there is seriously some good encouragement for me. Seeing my daughter watch me run and knowing I can do it. Being a great example to her and showing her to exercise makes me happy!

I love you all and I hope to inspire someone someday too!!!

.......Drumroll.......

I have lost 23 pounds since before my wedding last year!!!!
Yeah.. it's taken a little over a year but I just had to keep trying and trying and seeing results slowly but surely. Man, does it feel good.
I love my body. I am smaller then highschool. I love that I'm able to say that.
Why couldn't I have figured it out then?!
The secret is : RUN
Just run.