ZEITGEIST HALF MARATHON!!

This weekend Andy and I got to get away for his 40th Birthday that is coming up on Tuesday! Part of the "getaway" was to participate in our first Half Marathon together! Wow! It was so much fun!!!
Those who know me know all too well how much anxiety I get over things that are unknown to me. So Friday was spent pretty much in knots. I was trying to decide what to expect, what I would need to wear, if I was prepared enough for this event. We had heard that the course was very hilly, and we hadn't ran too many hills here in La Grande, so I was concerned!
We did get to enjoy a nice quiet drive over to Boise together and that was so wonderful! It's nice to get to talk and not have to be interupted or not be able to hear each other! Then a wonderful pasta dinner at Olive Garden:) We had been looking forward to that part!
Saturday morning we woke to a BEAUTIFUL day!! The sun was shining and the colors of the trees were so incredible there! We got ready and went and ate and got to the event. Wow, the butterflies were amazing in my stomach. I have to learn how to get over that part. It isn't too helpful:) We found our friend who was running also and got ourselves ready and lined up. There were 1000 runners and the energy there was incredibly inspiring.


The music and the announcer was pumping everyone up and then he started the countdown... As I looked around I felt very unprepared. These other people were real runners... They knew what they were doing and I felt like such a fish out of water! Then we started off!! And guess what? I ran! I knew how to do it... One foot in front of the other, over and over and over again:) I kept on moving and a lot of people passed me, and we passed a lot of people, but we did it!!
Andy was so amazing! He stayed with me the whole time, even though it was an easy run for him at my pace, he kept me motivated and it was so fun to run together! The scenery was seriously the most inspiring thing! It was such a beautiful course! We ran the first 3 miles UPHILL... so yes, the course was hilly, but, it kept things interesting and my body got a chance to not get too bored doing the same thing over and over. It was such a relief when we finally got to the downhill after 3 miles of uphill. And then the flat seemed like a complete relief after the downhill:) Mile 6.5 to mile 8 were an intense uphill. I ran VERY slowly during part of it... in fact I think that a lady may have passed me walking her power walk, but, I RAN... In fact I was very happy with the fact that I was able to RUN the entire 13.1 miles! That was my goal. To not have to stop and walk, but run the entire time, and I did it!!! My speed was a slow speed overall, but considering the hills we climbed, I was actually surprised it was what it was!


The most inspiring part to me for the entire day was the amount of determination in one small space of the world. You figure there were 1000 people doing something that was out of their comfort zone. Even for those there who were marathoners who were there for a training run, 13.1 miles is no simple feat. I love these events, to see all of the different people in different places of life, completing a goal they set for themselves. There were people of all ages, and all sizes:) It was incredible how you end up with a group of people that you are all about the same speed and this is who you kind of "work" with to get to the end... I love organized events! I think everyone should experience an organized 'race' at some point in life. It's encouraging and uplifting!!!
So we finished:) And then got to EAT with some good friends!!!! We are all about consuming the calories after an event!!




I have to say, this was one of the best days of my life! It was so amazing to get to accomplish something that I set out to do. Something that for me, was not easy, but it was so worth all the training time and the pain from pushing "just a little harder". But most of all, it was so fun to accomplish this with Andy! He is a amazing to me! Always so patient and encouraging! He was so kind to remind me to eat my GOO!!! (ugh) and to stay hydrated and helped me to stay positive and not have any of my usual negative self talk!!! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who supports me and encourages me to try harder! I love him so much and love that we were able to spend this day together!!! Thanks Andy, for being so incredible:)