Hostess Half Marathon

SO what exactly is the Hostess Half Marathon? I have been asked on numerous accounts, how could Hostess, a delicious but unhealthy snack product actually sponsor a Half Marathon.... Well the story goes...... They Didn't. I have a good friend, who is a Hostess addict who also loves to run. Being that December is one of the only months in our area where there isn't a Half Marathon Scheduled, Cory decided to create his own, combining his two favorite things. SO Folks that is how we got to the Hostess Half Marathon. They only had four simple rules.


1) Run 13.1 miles.
2) Eat a Hostess product at each aid station spaced 2 miles apart.
3) Use every ounce of will power available to not vomit Twinkies at mile 11.
4) Everyone Wins their Age division and Medals as long as they eat a Hostess product at each station and finishes the race.
That my Friends is the Hostess Half Marathon.

In comparison with my last race, this time I didn't have to race 18,000 other runners, There was just 40 of us. A nice small running group from the surrounding Hurricane area. I had alot of my good friends run in the race, which made it even more exciting and fun. To set the picture of the day, as you can tell from our attire, it was raining and wet. But of course, rain will never stop any of us from running, or eating our hostess donuts on the run.

The Hostess Half Marathon was something I had LOOKED forward to ever since I signed up. I thought that the challenge of running and eating Twinkies sounded fun but also like a huge challenge as well. I have found a true love for running over the past year. I look back and see where I have come, and find myself finding JOY in my journey. For the record, for the past two to three months i have bee fighting a nagging Plantar Fasciitis in my Left foot. To make matters worse, I also sustained a right quad injury on my Las Vegas Half Marathon. I had been sick with a cold a week prior to Las Vegas, but still had some lingering effects on race day. Melissa, my wife, told me that running this race had nothing to prove. She didn't want me to get sick, or reinjure myself, especially in the rain. I knew that I was going to be slower than I have been on previous races, but I really really wanted to finish this last race of my 2010 season. So of course I went, which I DON'T REGRET. I had a totally blast. For being a small race, we really see the separation of the elite fast and the really slow.... but being friends, everyone was more than supportive and made for a huge cheer section.
As the race started, I really struggled in the first 2-3 miles to get loose. The main group took off like Lightening and there was only about five of us for a small period of time. Five turned into three, which turned into just me. I had troubles in the rain keeping my shoes tied. I swear I tied them like 50 times.... LOl OK maybe 3 or 4. I felt my previous injury start to rear its head about mile three. By this time, I was having a hard time keeping pace with the 2 Mels. I had fallen back about a quarter mile. I was able to talk with and meet two awesome and inspiring runner. Carol and Mendy. Simply amazing. Both of their stories inspired me to keep going. Of course, I am a very competitive person but realize my limitations, but there is No way I was going to be last as we traded back and forth for the first 4 miles who was running in last position. When I made it to the second aid station just above the LDS fruit farm by the airport in Hurricane, I had finally taken a lead from the final pairing. The visibility was hard to see anyone after about a quarter mile or so. I made the turn toward Sand Hollow and half way down the road, I see the leaders screaming towards me. OH NO I said. I wasn't running well, but I had to grin and bear through it. To my surprise, both Tom and Ty gave me a high five and said several words of praise and then they was out of sight. I was really struggling to keep going. I was hurting, My quad and foot both on fire and had won the first round. But after running past them, here came the middle of the pact. Each and everyone of them, either gave a high five, two thumbs up, words of praise and support. What a pick me up. There was several I didn't even know who gave me the motivation to keep my shoulder to the wheel and press along. Man I really needed that, for after i passed them ad they all became out of site, I had to keep telling myself, I can do ti, just keep putting one foot in front of another and I will make it. Finally I made it to the hill, which we had to climb to make the turn around. Once on top I reached the third aid station. For me eating the hostess product was a piece of cake. LOL or donut. I always picked up a glass of Gatorade and one powdered donut and was off, it held me well, Never did I feel sick or bloated or anything. Lucky me... No puking Twinkies on this run. As I ran down the hill and made it a quarter mile, I passed the last group. I knew that they was hurting as bad as I was. I ran over to them and Told the how proud I was of them, and to keep their heads high and then I was off into the fog and rain. I couldn't see anyone in front of me or behind me. I was almost a nice feeling of solitude. Just me and the cows on a nice wet rainy day in the middle of nowhere... But by this time I had a decent run going, partially because I knew I was on my way back to the finish being that is was an out and back course. I made the turn off 3000 on to 700 back into Hurricane. By the time I made the Intermediate school. I was hurting and sore. I had to keep going. I made the turn onto 400 and half way down the road I see a runner coming towards me. As he got closer I realize that Cory had come back for me. It was the much needed pick me up I needed at this point. He ran with me all the way to the finish. Cory, once again, your the man... Thanks so much for coming and running with me. YOU ROCK. I crossed the finish at 3:05:43. the same posting I placed in Las Vegas. I have never hurt as bad as I did as I crossed that line, but having the medal placed around my neck, and knowing what I overcame during that run, it feel like one of my top accomplishments of the year so far. This was a sweet race and I actually had a blast running it.

****Since Nov 1, I have officially ran 4 half marathons in two months. I know I am a little worn down and battered so I plan to take some time off to heal so that I can be ready for an awesome 2011 season. I have many awesome runs planned with a goal of running a half marathon every month and hopefully running the 2011 STG marathon. Fingers crossed.

Quote of the day

"The first principle of distance running is consistency. You have to be willing to commit to running every day. There will be times when you have other commitments (family, church, school, vacation, etc) and you will be unable to run, but on the days you can run, you should be running. If you want to improve and if you want to reach your potential with running, it has to be part of who you are." --Corbin Talley

Rock and Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

I have been looking forward to Rock and Roll Las Vegas ever since I had signed up in the spring. Just the idea of running the whole strip, having rock bands every other mile, and cheer squads all over, sounded like a great course and event. Well leading up to the race. A week prior, I was down and out with a nasty head cold. I was extremely worried that I wouldn't be running. During that time, I wasn't able to get even a single training run in. I haven't ran since the Mesquite Half Marathon two weeks ago. But this is Rock and Roll Las Vegas, A must do race, and I wasn't gonna let anything slow me down from running..... Oh and I am so GLAD that I didn't. Holy Cow, What a blast.... Disneyland Half Marathon is by far my all time favorite race to date, but Rock and Roll Las Vegas is a Close Second.... Absolutely LOVED IT!!!!

In my starting Corral. I was assigned Corral 23. Yup that meant we waited for 22 other corrals to go before we hit the start line. It was approximately 35 mins or so. Thank goodness I wasn't further behind, because there was like 20 more behind me. When I ran Disneyland, I ran with 14,000 runners. Rock and roll Las Vegas had 30,000 runners. 12,000 full marathoners and 18,000 Half Marathoners. There was tons of people, but I never felt crammed due to the wave starts..... It was nice to find my groove and ride it without bumping into everybody. A definite Plus in my book.

Booyah, The start line. Rock band and all on the top of the start. It was AWESOME.

They closed down the WHOLE Las Vegas Strip for 4 hours. Yes we OWNED the strip both side. I loved it. Coming upon Tropicana and MGM Grand

Planet Hollywood and Paris. They had their aid stations spaced out very nice. A total of 8. My kind of race :)

Looking over at Mirage. Yes we got the complete show while we ran.

ELVIS was Sighted by the hundreds in las vegas. Had to catch a pic as we left the new strip and headed into old downtown las vegas.

Entering Fremont street. We didn't get to run under the Fremont lights, but still was alot of fun downtown. It really started to get warm. We started the race out at 39 degrees, it was almost 60 by this point.

One of the many rock band throughout the course. It was totally fun to listen to them JAM



Yea, we finally made the turn back onto Las Vegas Blvd and heading back up the strip. Stratospehere in the distance.

Are we Rockin it? YUP so far I'm holding my own. This is how I rocked the strip.

Back to Mid Strip. Almost there. Here is where I ran out of gas. I was wondering when my sickness would catch up to me and it did at mile 11. But I wouldn't let it get me down. I kept pushing on.

AHHHH, Almost back to Mandalay Bay... I can almost see the finish, but Yet It Seemed So Far away, funny huh?

One last band before we finished. This guys rocked the drums. Holy Cow, I could have stayed just to watch them perform.

My most favorite pic of the day. Only 0.1 miles left Booyah

Following being processed through the finish line with medals, pics, and food, it was then time for the FREE rock concert with Brett Michaels from Poision as the headliner. Let me just say, It was AWESOME....... We loved it. That guy can rock. What a sweet way to finish a run.

Another shot of Brett Michaels

The Medal rocked. It was way Thick and Heavy. I love it... Overall I was very happy with the experience. I still had a naggin run on my plantar fasciitis, but as the good doc said, just keep running and that it is going to be a long recovery process. I was warned that I will see some slower times but to keep it going nice and easy..... which I did. I was very happy with my 3:03 posting. I wanted a Sub 3 so bad, but will settle with the finish. That truly is my ultimate goal. Rock and Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon make for my 5Th half marathon this year. I have one more half marathon scheduled in two weeks. It will be my last official run of the year making the Hostess Half Marathon my 6Th half marathon for the year. I am coming to accept the fact that I am going to be slower but I will never let myself down. What a Journey I am on. I love it. I can Now say that I have Rocked the Rock in Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon. Booyah!!!!!

Mesquite Marathon

Im a little late in posting this race report due to work and the holidays and not feeling well, so here I go. I accidentally deleted my mesquite pics while trying to down load them so I borrowed some AMAZING picture from my friend Cory Reese, who ran the full marathon and is just an amazing guy!!!!! I hope you enjoy his pics as much as I do....

I was only going to run the 10k coming off of running Snow Canyon half marathon. I decided that it would be fun to run with my good friend Melanie Reese. SO I signed up for the Half Marathon knowing that i was going to DOOM myself with all the hills. I have been fighting an nagging Plantar Fasciitis for over a month now with little or nor resolve. Come race morning we all loaded up the buses and was dropped out in the middle of the dessert. WHAT an awesome feeling to know that I am in the middle of NOWHERE and the only way home is to run 13.1 miles..... To make matters worst it was cool, overcast and VERY WINDY.

I was so fortunate that MEL said she would run beside me no matter how slow I was. We tried the Galloway run for 5 min and then walk for 1 min. It worked well for the first three miles but the WIND was a whole other story. It was Hauling at 35-40 miles an hour the whole race, with gust up to over 50 mph. You could barely hold yourself upright rather than keep up your pace. Know that we had several massive hills ahead of us..... UGHHHH I hate hills. I love to run down them, not up them.

One of the MANY HILLS. Mel and I saved our energy and walked up all the hills. Wind and Hills, NOT MY FAVORITE!!!!!! Over all I would have to say that this was by far THE HARDEST RACE I HAVE EVER RAN.... 50 mile per hour winds and several massive hills made it for a slower run, but I was Blessed to have a running partner in Melanie who suffered as much as I did and stayed by my side even though she could have probable kicked my butt from the beginning. It amazes me how fast time flies when we have a friend to talk to. Thanks Mel for putting up your worst, and my worst time, but oh the good times we had. :)


The medal was sweet. Overall had a great time in Mesquite just not my best race. This weekend I head off to Rock and Roll Las Vegas. Should be fun. Hopefully I survive. I haven't gotten my training in over the holidays and being down and out the past couple days = no training. oh well I must go on. Bring on the open road.

The next 6 weeks

Nov 20th Mesquite Half Marathon

Dec 5th Las Vegas Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Dec 18th Hostess Half Marathon.

Nov 6th I ran Snow Canyon Half Marathon, over the next 6 weeks, I run a Half Marathon every other weekend. This Making 4 Half Marathons in 2 months. I am so pumped and excited for my upcoming race schedule but I just hope that I SURVIVE..... Not to ention I hope my foot holds up. I ran 5.5 miles today and so far so good. Keep posted to some upcoming race reports. Bring on the Open Road. BOOYAH

Snow Canyon Half Marathon

Leading up to the Snow Canyon Half Marathon, I had already made up my mind that I wasn't going to be running. I have been fighting a very common running injury that has made it very hard and painful to run. Plantar Fasciitis isn't something I would wish on anyone. I Had been to my Doc, and had my foot shot up. Awe what a great feeling to finally find some relief to the pain, even if it was only temporary. Training for anything has been a complete struggle. Looking back, since I ran Cedar Canyon Half Marathon in mid Sept, I have only had 17 miles of training runs with 2 5K races in there which I struggled to run. SO what in the World would ever cause me to think that I was EVEN close to being ready or prepared to run 13.1 miles. I was invited by my friend Liz Dansie to come over to Hurricane High School track on the Thursday leading up to the race to train. I was ITCHING so bad to get a run in. It is so surprising how much you crave a good run. I hadn't had that feeling in almost a month. SO off to Hurricane High I went. To my Surprise, I got to run with Many of my Friends. Cory and Melanie Reese, Liz and Tom Dansie, Cherie Santagio, Logan, Wendy and a couple others. I HAD A TOTAL BLAST, and get this, I was able to run 6 miles that night. I felt good, my foot held up, and it made me second guess myself on Snow. I do have to give total props to Cherie for giving me that extra push to run Snow. So glad I did. I got to run with many of my friends. Tricia, Josh, Karrie, Shane, Alex, Cherie and Jill. Ok off to the Race Report.

This really was a sweet course. WE had the opportunity to run 4 miles on the St George Marathon course above Diamond Valley. It was a really fast and almost all downhill course. I was surprised how good I felt as I started to race. It was one of the most Scenic races I have ever ran.

I just love Snow Canyon State Park. Had to get the camera out for some pics. This would be around mile 8. Overall I felt Great and was holding a 9:30 min/mile pace at this point.

A turn around shoot looking back towards Tuacahn. I love the Red Mountains. This is about mile 11. I ran extremely well, and was surprised at how GOOD I felt. Now I knew that my foot was hurting but it had held up well till this point. Well I don't know what happened but right at mile 11, I hit the Torture wall. The last two miles were a fight and almost unbearable. I really struggled to keep it going. My paced dropped back to a 13-14 min/mile pace. I was just hurting really bad. My foot and leg continued to cramp up the last two miles. I refused to run this far and give up. I knew that I was on pace to run a 2:30, but the last 2 miles took everything I had mentally and physically to get across the finish line.

Once we hit Snow Canyon High School, we had to run the last 0.2 miles around the track. My foot was almost curled up on itself and so crampy. I crossed @ 2:47 a NEW Personal Record by almost two minutes. Running has taught me so much about myself. I got into running to loose weight, which I am, but I believe I am a student of life and all the Life's Lessons it teaches me while I run. To believe in oneself, to push through the pain, to fight on, and to stand back up once you fall, are ALL lessons we can apply in our own lives. I want to give a huge shout out to all my friends who also set their own PR at this race. To each of you, Thank You for all your support and Friendship. I love to run, I love to race, AND I wont let anything slow me down. Off to Mesquite in two weeks, then Rock and Roll Las Vegas next month. Gotta love it, I DO!!!!!!

Save a Sister

Pre Race photo. I almost didnt go to the race. For the past two weeks, I have been fighting a throbbing Plantar fasciitis. I have also noticed increased pain in my left heel with long periods of standing aka.... WORK! I have tried to have this not limit me in my running, but it has....

I ran into Lyndee at the race. One of a couple of friends that I knew who ran the race.

Well I have to say that Deseret Hills High School and surrounding area is VERY HILLY. This was a 80% all uphill course. Well needless to say, my Foot KILLED with all the up hills. I found that I ran very well on the flat and or downhill sections of the race. Well Half way through the 5K portion I ran into Lyndee. Lyndee and I used to work together at the hospital. We finished the last mile together. As we got closer to the finish line, I knew that there was NO Way I was going to repeat the loop again, so I choose to finish the race with most of the 5K' ers.

Well when I finished and had picked up my HORRIBLE 5k time, I noticed my place and time for my 10K run.... HOLY COW, sure wish that I had ran this fast. A 6 + min mile, 1st place in my age.... TOO funny. :) Well I went to the timing table and notified them that I wasnt this fast and that I cut back to the 5k. I figured that somebody who deserve this award should get it. By the way, the guy in charge said, Braydon... You should keep this anyways as a momento... I said Thanks. He went on to say that he had run a race where he took his age group. When it came to award time, He didnt receieve an award for his age group as a male, but for his age group as a female. He said your always gonna remember this one....

Well I figured, I at least gave it a shot, hoping that on Tuesday, I can get to the bottom of my heel pain. I still plan to run Snow Canyon Half Marathon in two weeks, which is all down hill. :)

Minor Set back

For the past two weeks, I have been fighting a throbbing pain in my left (plantar) heel. It has made it hard for me to stand for long periods of time, run and even walk without a small limp. I havent been able to run for almost two weeks now. With upcoming races tomorrow and a Half marathon in two weeks, I am doing everything from rest, spin classes, and even a Doc appt next week to ready myself for all my runs. EVEN though I am hurting, I still pplan to run my 10K tomorrow morning. Hopefully it will hold up so I can finish the race. Anyway, I will keep yall posted on my progress.... Good times. I have posted my 2011 race sechedule on the side bar as well. It really is looking to be a sweet running season, can't wait.

ST George Marathon Experience

This was the first time EVER that I had Volunteered for a race.... WELL let me tell ya, HOLY COW WAS THAT FUN..... it was so much fun to not only see all my FRIENDS, but to be on the other side of INSPIRATION.... I volunteered at packet pickup on Friday and at MILE 9 aka VEYO HILL.

Gatorade and water set up.....

A qucik snap shot of all the runners. It was way to insane to get a sweet pic, so this will have to do.

I tried to get a pick of all my friends. I saw Tricia Proctor, Tige Hazelton, Carlos Mercardo, Dr Assiago, Tom Dansie, Anna Starkley, Dan Earl, Helen Duckworth and Joy Thomas but wasnt able to get a pic.

Natalie Ashby stopped by and told me next year was my Year.... Yup she is right....

Cory and Melanie Resse, Thanks for chillin... I just love the Pic and the orange.

The Clean up.... Man where there Cups EVERYWHERE......

Then came my Friend Melissa Baldwin..... She rocked it......

It was such a HOT day and I had a blast working the Marathon.....I would had probably DIED if I had run this one, but to each and all who ran...... YOUR CHAMPS IN MY BOOK......

Looking back

WOW.... I was just thinking that 8 months ago I was beginning to get the itch to start running and Today Looking back I have come a long way.... I never ever thought that this could be a possibility or even reality. I have found that through running, not only do I relieve stress but I am also granted a feeling of accomplishment. Over the past two weeks, i have completed 2 half marathons on two very different courses. Each had their challenges, but in the end, I crossed both finish lines under 3 hours.... I have come to love the distance and challenges of a Half Marathon. I find the rush to be simple amazing and indescribable. I just love to run. Starting in OCT, as my work schedule is about to change, I will have more free to time to set myself up on a more solid training and running schedule. I have a few new goals that I would like to accomplish in the next several months. It has been hard to get in each of my training runs while trying to juggle life flight, work, family church etc.... To this point, I have made some very lofty goals, and hopefully I wont be on this journey by myself..... In the next three months, I still have 2 half marathons, 2 10K, and a 5k charity run. My goal or tentative plan for the 2011 year is to run a FULL MARATHON, yup all 26.2 miles..... I am hoping by running a half marathon monthly that I will be ready to run a full when I'm ready. I am most likely going to run ST George, but may reconsider for another..... We shall see. Now this is in no way a Guarantee, just a goal for me to work towards. I feel that I need something that seems almost impossible to push me and guide me. I have already set myself up into next year with several really fun runs.... Jan- Painters Half Marathon, March- Spectrum 10K, April- SLC Half Marathon, May-Ogden Half Marathon, June- Utah Valley Half Marathon and July Bryce Canyon Half Marathon. All but Bryce I am already signed up to run..... It is looking to be an awesome running season. I know that If I can get some good training in, not only am I gonna lose some weight, but I am going to get in better running condition, which should help improve my speed and times..... Overall through this experience, I have found that I have grown as a person, I have made some of the coolest friendships and have found a true love for running and racing...... In the words of my good friend Cory Reese, who by the way is a manchild running 7 marathons this year, echo's my joys of running....

"Here's my problem: I LOVE RACES. I love them. I love the pit in my stomach I feel for weeks leading up to the marathon. I love the butterflies in my stomach. I love the anxiousness the night before the race when I'm so excited that I can't sleep. I love the nervousness of wondering how the race will go. I love standing on the starting line with thousands of other crazy people who will all be sharing this experience together. I love the feeling at the finish line knowing that I accomplished something that was really hard. I LOVE RACES"

I am looking forward to what lies ahead of me.... Knowing that with each step I make, a journey I am on.....

Cedar Canyon Half Marathon

As I was getting ready to leave for the park to catch the shuttle at 5:30 in the morning, I forgot to grab my camera that I had laid out next to all my other clothes. I didn't notice this till I was half way up Cedar Canyon.... I at least had my phone, but unfortunately, this is the only pic that I got from it..... SO needless to say.... This is the only Picture I have from the Cedar Canyon Half Marathon.

On Friday night, I meet up with Dan and Janie Earl, and Tige Hazelton for the free Pizza Factory pasta and bread sticks.... It was so yummy and a good way to carb load before the race. It was fun to hang out with these guys. My family had to stay home due to soccer games, so I was running this one all by myself....
We meet at the park at 6am to catch the shuttle up to woods ranch. It was nice and cool at the main st park. I was so thankful that I had packed a long sleeve shirt and sweatshirt... When we hit woods ranch it was a blistering 40's and cold. It was cold..... Thanks goodness there were fire pits and fire in them..... AT 0700 we were off to RUN THE CANYON.... When I prepared for Disneyland, I ran mostly flat courses, well Cedar canyon has a 1-8% downhill grade in the first 7 or so miles.... I ran really well while trying to watch my speed coming off those hills. I was pacing about a 9-10 min mile most of the way. When the course started to flatten out, I could feel the pain in my Quads. I had started to brew a nice hug blister on my right foot. The next 5 miles, I had more of a run/walk style in it... I held my own well till mile 12, where we exited Canyon park and started to run the foothills of Cedar city. I was worn out, hurting and sore from the blister. The temp was in the high 70's and boy did it feel HOT.... Thank goodness i made the last 1.1 miles and made it across the finish at 2:48:01. I shaved 10 min off my first half marathon, but was on pace for a 2:30 if i hadn't had all the troubles in the last few miles.... Overall I had a blast... It was such an awesome run. I have now ran 2 Half Marathons in 13 days. I wonder if that is as close as I am going to be to running 26.2 miles...... Good times. Now time for recover since I cant walk...... :)

The Happiest Race on Earth

Oh boy... What a week we had in Disneyland, and then Sunday came around. I had felt some nerves all week leading up to the race, but nothing like Sat night. I knew that I had 2 long runs of 12 + miles under my belt, but the feeling of the unknown loomed. I had many thoughts about the race, but Literally had to stop myself from allowing my mind to take over. I had to tell myself over and over, I have run several races, and have trained as good as I could for this half marathon. Now running with 14,000 runners, is a first for me, and let me tell you, there was TONS of people..... but I never felt crowded out, so way cool.... Ok lets roll with my race report.

My good friend Michelle Peterson, the only person I knew running the race. Gotta love a 5 am pic before the race. We look like we just woke up, Wait WE did....LOl :)

This pic still doesn't give any justice to how many people ran this race. There was a total of 14,000 runners, almost double than the ST George Marathon. In the far distance you can see the lights of the starting line. They had different waves. I was in the front of Corral D. Corrals went all the way to G, so there was Thousands behind me as well. It was a 5 min difference from the start time for each wave. We didn't get our gun to start running till 06:18am.

Runners, Set...........GO, BOOYAH, Finally all my training, nerves, excitement are all pushed aside as we take off to run 13.1 miles in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Mickey and Minnie greeted us as we passed the start line.

We first made a loop down magic way out to Katella then up to Harbor Blvd, and made the turn into the parking toll loop. Mid way down the road, we made a turn into the back lot of Disney's California. We made a loop around Paradise Pier where we ran into Mike from Monster Inc, passed the New Little Mermaid ride,and then out past Grizzly run.

Lightening McQueen and Mater were there to greet us as we exited out of California before we hit Soarin Cali. I didn't stop to get my pic taken, I really wanted to break 3 hours, so I just snapped pics.

We ran across into Disneyland where we were greeted by Mary Poppins and cast. They had entertainment and characters everywhere. It totally rocked....

As we made the turn into Frontier land, we ran past the Princess and the Frog. They had several characters on the Mark Twain boat as well.

Coming out of Fantasy Land we ran through the Castle. Malificent was on top to greet us. Oh how sweet of her.....lol

Once through the castle, we ran past all of the Princesses. Look, a small line to see the Princess, Now that Never happens....LOl

Following running through Tomorrow land and then into the back lots behind Its a Small World and Toon Town, we exited out onto Disneyland Dr, then made the turn onto Ball rd to run up and over the bridge to Harbor Blvd. Here is another shot at the number of people running around me. Btw the weather was AWESOME. it was in the 60's and had an overcast of humidity hanging around us. Never let up till after I had finished. SO happy..... PS this was Mile 4.

Over the next four miles, we zig-zagged our way around Anaheim. They had dance groups, and cheer squads all along the race. It was awesome to get that extra bump or push. This is mile 8.5 as we make the turn past the Honda center where the Anaheim Ducks play. I really felt Well at this point. I was surprised to see how GOOD I was feeling. I felt like the time had gone fast.

Mile 9.3 we came up onto the Angels Stadium. I was happy with my 15K time of 2 hours even. Seeing the stadium I knew that It was all down hill from here, even though there were no down hills, but the hard part was over. Bring on the Stadium. I was so pumped to see the field and to run through it.

Angels Stadium... Yes I am on the infield running track..... SO SO excited..... This was way awesome.... It was filled with tons of boy scouts, and they were really rocking the place.

A look at the infield.

Mile 11.5..... I was starting to hurt about this point. Getting tired, and then I looked up and knew that hitting Disneyland meant I was at 12 mile, nothing like a much needed pick me up. Btw I love the Tower of Terror.

As I hit mile 13, I started to cramp..... I was hoping that I wouldn't have to crawl over the finish line, but Lucky for me, I made it. As I crossed the finish, Minny and Mickey on the Right side, and Donald and Daisey were there to greet us as we crossed the line. I looked down at my watch and saw that I had posted a Sub 3 Half.... My chip time was 2:57:59.... The OVERWHELMING rush that came over me was Wicked Awesome. I felt like I could have run forever, but my Body was yelling No way..... What a Sweet race... I totally Loved it....

Post Race Medal pic.

This is by far THE BEST MEDAL EVER..... It was so worth running 13.1 miles for. What an awesome event. The day has come, and I completed my First ever Half Marathon. I have already signed up to run Cedar Mountain Half marathon in less than two weeks from now. I Just love to run and love the motivation it gives me in my life. I truly couldn't have run this without alot of support, encouragement, and advice from many of you. You guys Rock..... Thanks for helping me on my Adventure one step at a time....