ELEVATION CONTINUED

Here are a few pictures of me from the Moab half marathon. I really tried to smile every time I saw a camera so that I would look like I was enjoying it. I can definately say the smile in the last two pictures is real because I was DONE. The smile in the first two pictures is not quite so real.

ELEVATION

I finished my second half marathon on Saturday. The Canyonlands (Moab) Half Marathon. My official time was 02:06:06. I have known since December that I would be running when my team was selected. My sister, Sarah, and I have been trash talking for weeks about who would win the race. I won but I think she may have asthma or bad allergies so I'm not so sure my win counts.

This half marathon was much harder than my last. The combination of the heat and the elevation was a killer. This first chart is the elevation chart for the Moab race. The second is the elevation chart for the Phoenix race. You can see that Phoenix was much flatter and at a lower elevation.

The start of the race was cold. We rode a Moab adventure bus up the canyon. As soon as we got off the bus we jumped in line for the porta-potties. We ran into Chelsea who was on our racing team. I decided it was time to get one energy gel down. I thought that an apple pie flavor sounded good. I was wrong. This apple pie did not taste like apple pie mostly due to the texture. I wish I had a picture of Sarah's face as she got her first taste, it was priceless.

We stretched out and started to walk up the hill to the start line. I was reluctant to take off my fleece and throw my bag into a truck to meet me at the finish line. We still had over a half hour before the race would start. We waited as everyone crowded in.

The time came for the race to start. Everyone slowly started moving forward. Then we were jogging as we zigzagged our way through the crowd. It was exhilarating to look down the first hill and see hundreds of people all running. Being in a group where everyone has come with the same goal in mind is powerful. The first two miles were awesome. I ran with my sister and Chelsea and we passed the two mile mark after 18 minutes.

My plan was to run two miles (or to each water station) and then walk one minute while I downed Gatorade. This plan worked well for the first 6 miles. Then I had to go to the bathroom. They only had one porta-potty at each water station. I really had to go at 4 miles but didn't want to wait in line. At mile 6 there were only two ladies in front of me so I thought it would be quick. I waited for about 4 minutes. I was the next person in line but I couldn't continue standing watching everyone run by me. So I jumped out of line and kept running. This was one time being a girl really stinks. I saw guy after guy run to the side of the road to relieve himself and I had to just hold it. I downed a chocolate outrage GU which didn't taste too bad, it kind of tasted like chocolate pudding. Miles 6 to 8 which were grueling. I gave up on the whole running two miles walking one minute idea.

I eventually got to the point where the five mile run had started, there were 30-40 porta-potties in a row and I was able to run right into one. The next big challenge was the huge hill between mile 9 and 10. I made it up the hill and reached mile 10 where a group of drummers picked up my spirits. Once I got on the main highway into Moab I felt much better. I knew the end was in sight. It was fun to see people along the race route.

Crossing the finish line is always an emotional experience. Throughout the race you start to have doubts that you can finish. I love the feeling when you press forward and cross that line. I didn't do as well on this race as I had hoped. I was really hoping to break 2 hour mark. Maybe on the next race. Sarah is thinking about doing Salt Lake in April to redeem her time. I would definately be up for a rematch. :)

THE LAST MONTH...

The last month has sucked! Instead of listing all the reasons the last month has sucked I have decided to see the glass as half full and think about all the things in the last month that haven't sucked. So here it is...

• I got my taxes in early and already have my tax return.
• I got my haircut (pictures to come)
• I've run 109 miles
  
• My legs are looking awesome as a result of running 109 miles
• I've had some great times with my flatmates at The Pie, cooking tinfoil dinners, etc.
  
• I bought a new skirt which makes me feel like Reece Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama
• I saw Shani Davis beat the world record at the Speedskating World Cup Final
• I babysat my nephews and got some great cuddles from little Benny
• I went to a Highland bagpipe concert
• I cleaned my garage, office, house, drawers, etc.
  
• I bought another pair of rain boots
  
• I bought a ticket to Phoenix for Spring Break
• The sun is shining for a little longer each day

I guess I've come to the same conclusion that I came to months ago, happiness depends entirely on perspective. Thinking more about it, maybe the last month was splendid!

I WANT MY MULLIGAN

I slept through my alarm this morning, or turned my alarm off. My body and mind are not adjusting well to daylight savings. Don't get me wrong I love that the sun is still out when I get home at night. I just hate that it is dark when I leave for work in the morning.

This morning I woke up 17 minutes after my alarm should have gone off. I jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom. Then I wasn't sure if I was just sleep walking. So I walked back into my bedroom to check my clock again. I wasn't sleep walking. My flatmate Anne, wasn't up yet so I was worried I would mess up her schedule by getting in the shower, but I had no other option. So, I took the quickest shower I have ever taken (less than 6 minutes) and managed to still make it to work on time.

We had a lock down drill at our school. I had two students and I was pretty sure one of them would freak out. Luckily he didn't. I was able to keep them calm while we put puzzles together in a storage closet behind my office. Somehow in all of the craziness of this morning I managed to remember my headlamp so that we had some light in the dark closet.

Are there days when you just want a do over? Thinking more about this I don't want a mulligan for today, I want today to be OVER.

HAIRCUT

February 20, 2009
I need a haircut. I have been putting it off for months. I hate getting my haircut. I hate sitting in a chair with someone touching my head while I try to think of things to talk about. I like going to the dentist more. At least when you go to the dentist there is stuff in your mouth so you don't have to think about things to talk about. (Random thought: this totally reminds me of Ghost Town, if you haven't seen it you should) I hate planning ahead for a haircut. When I want my haircut I want it cut NOW. I just called two hair stylists that I have seen in the past. One is not in tomorrow and the other is booked through next week.


March 5, 2009
I finally planned ahead and made an appointment to get my haircut tonight. Not sure what I'm going to do, I'm just excited to have it done. Here are two possibilities:

Short (aka shoulder length with bangs, my hair may be long enough to donate to locks of love)

Long (straight, no layers, bangs)

Feel free to vote for your favorite or let me know if you have another brilliant idea.