38th bday

I decided I wanted to run 38 miles on my 38th bday. This brilliant idea stayed in my head until I ran the Top of Utah Half Marathon and had a fabulous race but also remembered how much it hurts to run 13 miles let alone 38! I also started to wonder if I really wanted to devote that many hours of my birthday to running instead of enjoying my family.
I decided to run 38 miles within my birthday week - 8 yesterday, 12 tomorrow, 4 Monday, and 14 on Tuesday. I hope you're not all disappointed in me but give me a break, I'm getting old! 
So what do you think - smart plan or I wimped out?

Race Pictures

A couple of pictures of me got posted online from recent races. When I saw this first one from the finish line of the Smithfield Half-Marathon I was feeling okay about myself:

Then I saw this one from the Stomp the Mud Run:

Not feeling so good anymore! But my boys are cute (on each end) right? That's all that matters anymore if the boys are cute and having fun!

Daydreaming through the half-marathon

I survived Not Yo Mama's half-marathon last weekend. So glad to be done, but it really was a great experience. I did 1:53 which I was pretty proud of as the beastly race is straight up Smithfield Canyon. I kept telling myself that I was the beast (term borrowed from 13yo) not the canyon but the pep talk wasn't 100% effective. I had to shoot a GU halfway through, further evidence that I am getting old and don't have the energy I used to!
I was able to lose myself in a daydream about my latest novel for a few miles so that helped immensely. When I was exhausted at mile 12 and Cassidy (heroine from Dead Running) wasn't showing me any other scenes from her sequel, I actually thought, "Come on Cassidy, give me something!" She said back, "Leave me alone, I'm kissing Jesse." I laughed out loud as I ran, then realized I'm a bit of an oddball to be conversing with fictional characters as I run!

What do you do to keep your mind off the pain when you're pushing yourself?

Gearing up for half-marathon

Smithfield City is hosting their first ever half marathon. If you live in Northern Utah you are definitely going to want to check this out. Smithfield City does a fabulous job on their short races (Turkey Trot and Health Days). This half-marathon is not going to be easy (hills galore) but I know it will be well-organized and my favorite part - no smelly bus ride up a canyon. You begin and end at the Rec. Center (it's a loop so it won't be boring). I am so excited for this race. I get nervous just thinking about it, but excited as well. If any of you live out of town and want to run, we've got a fabulous guest room! Any race plans in your future?