Thirteen Point Freakin' One

Today was the Lake Nona Half Marathon. Michelle and I ran this last year, Scott unfortunately had something come up at work and had to miss it. This year, he joined us. This was Scott's first half marathon...ever.

I knew Nona would be a great first half marathon course for him. It is relatively flat with only one hill. If you want a big PR this is the race to run.

I hung with the 2:45 pacers until mile 12.5 when they looked at me and said "Go!!!!" I was the only one that hung with them the entire race and they knew I was already going to PR but also knew I could shave another 3 minutes off. So I took off and came in at 2:42:28. Last year at Nona I came in at 2:58. I came in at 2:55 at Princess. That is insane. 

13 minute PR, you bet I'm ringing the bell!

Michelle was not too far behind me. Then we waited for Scott. I saw him when I was around mile 11 and he was at 8. He was looking good, but tired. I knew he would finish and I knew it would be all the feels. 

I spotted him coming, ran over to the medals and waited. He was walking and he looked done, but then he jogged the last stretch. 

Jogging across the finish!

I was so incredibly proud in this moment. He has come so far and to accomplish this was just everything. I knew he would be emotional and I tried not to be, which was hard when I gave him his first half marathon medal. 

Scott has medaled me at the last few Princess races, so it was nice to be able to return the favor. Of course he kept moving after this because he had one thing in his sites...

I am so proud of this man. I really cannot put into words just how proud I am. I look forward to more races with him and more pictures of him ringing the PR bell!

You conquered 13.1 babe!

Lake Nona Half Marathon

On Sunday I completed my 6th half marathon. Never in a million years did I think that phrase would come out of my mouth. I ran with my wonderful running buddy and best friend, Michelle. Scott was supposed to join us, but sadly, he was called in to work that day.

This was inaugural year for the Lake Nona half marathon and it was an amazing race! The weather was chilly at the start, but perfect during the main portion of the race. The course was flat (minus running over the overpass) and basically the opposite of the races we run on our side of town.

Michelle and I went in to the race hoping to finish in 3:15, it would be a PR for both of us. A few miles in to the race, we paired up with the 3 hour pacer and stayed with her.

There were a lot of people on the route cheering us on and the best part? There were water/gatorade stops every other mile. Boom!

Around mile 11 I knew we were going to come in under the 3 hour mark. Well...I knew I was going to come in under the 3 hour mark. Michelle started getting a calf cramp around that point and we had to separate. I also lost the pacer at this point too because she was ahead of pace.

I knew I had to push as hard as I could in the last 2.1 miles. I really wanted to come in around the 2:50 mark and I was going to run as fast as my tired legs could go. I ended up coming in at 2:54:13. My time from Princess was 3:18. Talk about an improvement! I could not wait to ring the PR bell at the finish. I was in total shock, and quite honestly, still am. Michelle coasted in around the 3 hour mark and earned her own bell ringing!

I cannot wait to run this race again next year! It was such a great experience with a wonderful event team!