Hays' Blogland: Part 3- Staying Motivated aka Run a 1/2 Marathon.

Remember way back when (like 3 months ago...) I posted all about running? Well, if you forgot, you can go here and here to read them.
I try to be consistent about working out and running. Keeping myself motivated isn't too hard. (I know, I am a wierd-o. I actually like working out.)
Here are some things that help me look forward to working out.
   *My IPod with my running mix on it. I don't like to change it up too often either because I am slightly OCD about the order of my songs for my runs.
   * My Nike+ Chip. Its awesome. I think I have raved about this enough. If you want to read about it...click here.
   *Its time where I am doing something positive for myself and I get 30 minutes to be me, Jamie, and not mommy. (well, kind of. I am usually pushing at least 2 of them in the stroller, but they are strapped in and if I have my headphones in, I can pretend not to hear them if they want something...)
   *A workout buddy. As nice as it is to be alone, it is even better to run with someone. I have been blessed with some great friends to run with.
   *Setting goals for myself. Some are big, some are small!
       example: Last week I wanted to do 2 five mile runs and 3 shorter runs. The week before I just wanted to run 2-3 miles every day. In the spring I set a big goal to run a half marathon.

I did it! (July 28..so I am a little behind) It was hard to find time to train with 3 kids and a husband in school full-time. Bryan is awesome and was so supportive. I did my short(er) runs during the week with the kids, and ran my long runs on Saturdays. This was an adventure in itself! My earliest run was at 4 a.m. On another Saturday I did 9 miles in the pouring rain- So much rain that it ruined my IPod screen. I ran in scorching hot weather too! And the best run I did in training was to run the trail from Carson Street to PNC park and back on the trails.

Here I am about at mile 9. I kept expecting the wall to hit, but it really didn't! The first 6 miles flew by! Mile 8 was a little harder, then I got a second wind until about 800 yards from the finish. And then I felt like I was running under water. I just couldn't get my legs to move like my brain wanted!

The BIG race day was the same day as my departure date to Arizona. So I got up before the sun, ran 13.1 miles, showered and caught a plane, all before 1:30 p.m. It was a LONG day. We ran it on the GAP trail in Boston, PA. Bryan rode his bike to be the water boy for us. (and camera man)
My time: 1:59. I am really happy about that time. Its not 'official' because it wasn't a paid race. I just mapped out the trail before and set my stopwatch.

Here are my awesome friends that ran with me. Doug decided about 2 days before the race to do it with us, and Cori trained with me from the start. It was her first 1/2. And she totally beat me by at almost a full minute! (I gotta improve that last 3/4 mile! I was dead.)