Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon!

I am ready, I think...

Downtown Tacoma

CHEERS... Happy to be done with our 2nd HALF!

Meg, me and my mom! Enjoying some food...oh it was good!
The finish line!

Had to sit down after I crossed the finish line!

Kind of lame that instead of medals we got a cup..which broke! Nice...

Getting my timing device removed! Just finishing!

Wow! I did it…another half marathon! So in one sense you could kind of say I did a marathon…just with a little 30 day break in the middle! Hey everyone needs to rest before the 2nd half right? Right!!! I have to say I was a lot more worried with this one due to my lack of training. The whole reason I signed up for another half was so I would keep running, well exactly what I didn’t want to happen…happened! I was a little burnt out with the time it took to train…oh and Washington had its hottest week ever…in HISTORY! Minus the guys with no shirts that have been running around at noon enjoying running in 95 degree weather this last week…I don’t think many people can do that…for sure not me! So where I was totally prepared and aware of pre-race day prep, my training had been less than stellar! I had logged about 8 runs in a month! We weren’t able to drive the course, which I felt really helped me with the R&R. I was scared that I might not even finish! I was happy to feel the cooler weather and it was overcast in Gig Harbor and over the narrows bridge, but cleared up as we came into Tacoma! That was nice and such a relief. I was hoping the people and the energy and the will to finish my second half would be able to help me…and it did! I did finish, minus a little bathroom break which ate up some precious minutes due to lines but both my mom and I did it (she was in the same boat with not much training). The race itself was nowhere near the size as the Rock & Roll and for sure wasn’t as fun! You trade some things when you run in a smaller race, this one was limited to a thousand runners. Great learning experience but it defiantly made me appreciate the Rock & Roll and were really happy to have that be my FIRST half marathon! I am ready to sign-up for next year’s Rock & Roll!

One thing I realized about my lack of training was how much I need running. What…did I just say that? I had a difficult day last week emotionally and realized how I had not had any time to myself! I had very little, if any alone time due to being at the lake, my mom being here (which I love), the weather…having a 3-1/2 year old who can have difficult moments and a 1 year old who wants you to hold them…life can get a little…well actually a lot overwhelming! I realized how running really helps me cope with all of it and also helps me release a lot of tension! Also it allows me to do something healthy for me. So it was a great time to learn that and to see how running needs to stick around in my world for more than just the health reason, for my sanity!
I am excited to get on bike now and start training for my triathlon! My dad and I are doing it together and I am really looking forward to seeing if I like them. I think I will. Still trying to figure out clothes and all the transitions. I love that it will be in my hometown so I am familiar with the area which makes all the difference.

Oh…and you have to check out my friend’s website…Tall Mom on the Run. She is having a giveaway for a moving comfort sports bra! You only have a little bit of time to enter…but go do it!

Oh how I miss you LAKE!

Not much time to write but I had to post a couple very cute pictures from our trip to the lake yesterday! I miss the lake! I grew up there and I feel like a child every time I jump in and swim. What a great childhood I had being able to swim all summer long. It was so nice to relax and enjoy the sun. I got to do a training swim which is good since swimming in open water is very different from a pool. Max wasn't too interested in the lake but we did get Cole in for a bit. I hope to be going up there more so I can get in some swim time for training for my triathlon in September!

Some more race pictures...

My mom and I crossing the finish line!

My dear friend Mel got these for me! I couldn't figure out how to download them and she did it for me. I know more race pictures, but these one are the professional ones! Had to share! Oh and I am registered for another half marathon on August 1st. The race is limited to 1000 participants so though I loved running with 24,999 other people it will be fun to run with only 999 plus myself! The race will go from Gig Harbor to downtown Tacoma! Should be some great sites!

I did it!

What we came to do!

Ready to go!

We are #1Cool picture of some of the R&R runners!

My finish line!

My support crew...

We are done! Mother & Daughter!Brother Andrew and MomYes, I am glad to be done! Look at the cool metal I won!
Love the posters!Good race!

Cole was so excited to be there!

Megs & Andrea cheering me on! Loren and me!

My dad and Beth rode their bikes up to see me!
Natalie loved having the metal around her neck...runner in the making maybe?
The "Sista's" Railene & Avril!

Thanks Nattie

Everyone who came out to support me!!! THANK YOU!!!

I ran my first HALF MARATHON! And loved every minute of it! Surprising to find out that it wasn't the run I was nervous about all week. I had run 13.1 miles and made it so I knew I could do it, though self doubt for sure can set-in and make you doubt if you really can. I was more nervous about the unknowns...would I have to go to the bathroom? Are the hills harder than they look? What if I injure myself? What if don't get to the starting line on-time? What do I eat? What do I wear? Will my friends and family know where to go? I am a worrier and worried a lot about things that had nothing to do with my run but the logistics. Weird I know, but that is me. I was hoping things would go smoothly and my mom and I would get there one time and have a "Good" running day! We made sure to eat well on Friday and hydrate well which I really think makes a big difference.

We woke up around 5am on Saturday morning and were out the door by 5:30am. The line to get to the drop-off site wasn't good so we got out early and ran/walked to the starting line. 25,000 people! You can't even imagine what that looks like! It was a beautiful day and everyone around us was there for the same reason and it was exciting to by shoulder to shoulder with people who had the same goal in mind and loved doing what I love to do! Not too often you will find yourself in that type of setting. We made a few bathroom breaks and got into our coralle and waited as the groups in front of us started. There were about 36 corralles and we were 22. I was nervous and excited and was so happy that my mom and I were doing this together. We figured we would stay together in the beginning and then she would take off since she was faster and then meet me at the finish line and we would finish together! I had been told to pace myself and not start off too fast and since there was so many people starting out, that wasn't going to be a problem. Before we started I looked back and as far as I could see were people...it was a crazy site! I started off slower but not walking and then it started breaking up. I got emotional when we started just because it was my first half marathon and you never get your first one back! It was good tears! The first mile came so fast and I felt good and knew this experience would be over so quickly. We came upon our first band and cheer squad and you better believed I high fived anyone who had their hand out...loved that! I felt good most of the way and enjoyed the sites and at one point realized I hadn't been looking at the sites but when you are running with 25,000 people you have to be very aware of every step or you could fall. I thought it was cool to grab the water they were handing out and take a few sips and throw the cup down...you always see that when you are watching a race on tv and it felt cool to be doing that...sounds a little silly I know! I felt good most of the way, there were a few times I didn't feel great but it didn't last long and I was so thankful. I found myself loving my play list which I am so glad I made. I prayed a lot just thanking God that I have legs and energy to be doing this. I got emotional in parts of the race just being for grateful for the day, the people around us, the volunteers and my family and friends at the finish line! The run from Seward Park along Lake Washington was amazing and then we went onto I-90 and went through the tunnel and came out into Seattle and I started to hit a wall but only had 3 more miles to go! The last few miles were tough but great. I tried making eye contact with people on the sidelines cheering us on so I could say "Thank you" for their energy and right as I was getting in the Alaskan Way viaduct there was a lady in a wheel chair and we made eye contact and I said "Thank You" and she said Great job...keep going! It was totally what I needed as I had my last mile to go! The finish line was packed with people and I was so excited but it was so surreal, I did make one mistake by keeping my headphones on but I had a wonderful song on at the time and it energized me! I will always listen to that song remembering that it was what I listened to as I finished my FIRST HALF MARATHON! I came in at 2:10 and was very happy with that time! My average pace was 9:52 which was a lot better then my usual 10:30 pace! I was pleased, feeling good and glad I was done. Of and I forgot, my mom met me before I crossed and we ran over the finish line together...it was a great ending to a wonderful experience!

I will for sure be doing the Rock & Roll next year...it was so much fun. Looking to do a few more this summer and maybe a triathlon in my near my hometown!!! Who knew Bonney Lake had a triathlon!

Cole is ONE!

The Ellingson's
Getting ready for Cake!

Happy Birthday Cole

Yummy!

Good stuff!

A fork is helpful

Battle wounds

Great"est" Grandpa and GrandmaAunt Beccy and Aunt Stephanie with the babies that are 2 weeks a part! Notice a slight size difference! Cute patootie's!Grandpa Ellingson and Cole Grandma Milam & Grandma Ellingson

The brothers! Decorations!

Max ready to go!
Cole enjoying his gifts! Trucks are fun!

Enjoying his 1st Birthday THANK YOU!

Cousins!




Cole is ONE! I still can't believe that his first year is over. We had a fun celebration with family at our house. We ate and enjoyed the day celebrating Cole. He enjoyed his cake but wasn't sure about it at first but soon got the hang of it. We opened gifts, well mostly Max opened them for his brother, not sure Cole got it. Big brothers are a great help. The cousins played, the adults had a great time visiting and it was just a fun day celebrating Cole!