Top of Utah Half Marathon

So I did it! On Saturday I ran the Top of Utah Half Marathon. I decided to run it back in the Spring. I started training and found it pretty easy to run a little more each time. As the summer got into full swing, I was worried about whether I'd ever make it to thirteen miles so I talked myself out of signing up. I had a friend who told me her whole office gets signed up every year and they have to do it--she said she was going to walk the whole thing because she can't run due to a bad knee. I immediately thought--okay, if she is going to walk it, I can surely run when I can and walk when I can't! Right? So I found a friend who said she'd run with me--we were both at about the same level of readiness (if there is such a thing!). It was the best experience ever. I can't think of any word to describe it except AMAZING. The scenery was beautiful....I felt great and ran more than I thought I would. I did, however, have some problems with my left knee. I was having problems with it while training so I bought some things to wrap around my knee to help out--they didn't work at all. I was in so much pain by the end, but I finished and I did so much better than I thought I would. I am just so proud of myself that I set out to do something I've wanted to do and I did it! I am planning to run the Top of Utah 5K on September 20th and I'll probably do the half again next year (anyone want to do it with me?) Because of Greg's work schedule, he wasn't able to be there to see me finish--none of my family was so I don't have any "running" pictures, but here is a picture of Sarah and I after we were done. My friend, Jayna, and her family were there to cheer me on--it was so fun to see them there as I came to the finish line!! I felt so important when she said, "I came here for you!" Thanks, Jayna!!