another half under the belt.

What a day!

I think those three words sum it up quiet well. After deciding a while ago to run another half marathon today was the final day of the race. It would be my second half marathon and my mom's first. Turns out my uncle was there as well. IT was an incredible day for running. Even though my training for this run was not as well as I had planned because of work getting involved I still new I could finish it. The goal this time, was to beat the previous time of my half which was 2:05.

We woke up this morning, pumped and ready to go. After eating a delicious banana and filling up water bottles we were off to the race. The race started at 9am and even at 9 it was quiet warm, alot better running conditions then that of the full. As we headed out, I felt really slow. The first 5km's I felt like it was my slowest running yet, when i looked at my watch it had been 25 minutes. I knew I can do a 5km faster then that so I knew I had to pick up my pace for the next 15.

As we kept running the sun started beating down, I could feel the sweat dripping off my back and forhead. I was glad to have my running fuel belt, to provide water during those partched steps of the run. The route went down past the psyc hospital and along the water front, threw the subdivison and around the marine and then back and around it again. It was a neat course, yet each time we entered the subdivison you could feel the heat attack your body.

Because it was an out and back course, throughout many times in the run I passed my uncle and my mom, both with smiles to see and hope for them to finish. I felt I picked up the pace quiet a bit and every 5km's I got faster and faster. Till the final strech of the run. I was passing people who had passed me right at the beginning. At the 18km mark I ran like there was no tomorrow, turing the last coroner and coming through to the finish there was a guy on a bike who told me 300 meters to finish.

He followed me the entire way, cheering me on. Commenting me on my legs, stride and telling the guy in front of me to move over so he doesn't get steam rolled. I didn't believe I was running that fast but who knows. The man was a great support to have and I felt like the wind. Flying to the finish.

Here are the results so far, when the get posted I'll fill you in on more details. So far I was 38th out of ...... I was the 7th female out of...... I was the 3rd in my age category.....AND get this I finished with a time of 1 hour and 43 minutes....CAN YOU BELIEVE IT. I am still in shock. Considering the heat, and the worn out shoes, I creamed my time from last's half. It was an amazing finish, I am so proud and so glad I did it. I can't wait for the next. Props to my mom and uncle for finishing as well. Both with times they were really proud of. Well my mom was proud to just finish and that was incredible enough. I ran back and ran the last finish .5k with her till the end. I love her to death and can only hope she knows how proud we all are.

Life

Before you give up, think of the reason why you were holding on for so long in the first place.

Half Marathon......I think so!

So it has been almost a month since I did the full marathon and i'm eager to get back out there and run again. I don't just mean running for fun at night, I mean the actual race feeling has been exploding inside.

So it has been finalized I am going to run another marathon. Well not a full but another half. July 26th in Whitby. So it is real close to where I am now which will be good, wont have to head away for the whole weekend.

I'm really excited, althought the training has been difficult because of work, but I have managed to get in two 15km run's last week and hopefully some more this week. Here's hoping I do, as well as I hope I am able to beat my time from last years run.

I also found new routes, they are incredible. I've seen dear, foxes, tones of birds, and the soloness of the route is great for thinking and clearing my head.

Running Side Note

So here is yet another post not about running. But thats okay, what did you expect when this blog was entitled the Life and World of steph. Anyways. Life has been pretty good. It has had its ups and down's like any other life. The up's are by far the best and the down's, they are hard to get through yet with family, friends, and running I manage. I have been enjoying the summer weather, well the warm days of it. The cold rainy ones I am not to keen on. They make working at camp awful, but I figure we still have two months alot can change. I have been loving my weekends, I've kept busy with camping, cottages, parties, running, biking, heading downtown, and just hanging out with friends and family. The end of the summer I'm sure ill share a more indepth post about the summer for now I want to share some other things.

If you like reading I highly suggest you read these two books. They are really good and quiet easy reads. I found I was unable to put it down, which resulted in sleepless nights and very very tried mornings. But none the less sooo good. Both books are by the same author. The first is called The five people you meet in heaven. And the second book is called Tuesdays with Morrie. Both are very enjoyable, and kind of give you a new outlook on life. I'd say take a look at them, and let me know what you think.

The next best thing to the past two books I have read is this wicked new book that my mom bought for me after completeing the full marathon. Its called Great Races, Incredible Places: 100+ Fantastic Runs Around the World It contains tones of runs that take place all over the world, with information about each, and even some pictures. I can't wait to try and attempt some of them. It defintly gives me a challenge to focus upon.

Last but defintly not least. The Bicycle Film Festival is coming up. I recommened you watch the trailer and attend if you can. I'm so excited to go..Keep the dates open you guys, August 19th-22nd:D. Visit the website for more details @ www.bicyclefilmfestival.com

As for running..Been running 10 or more everday since the marathon with the exception of heading away on the weekend. It feels great to be back out there on my feet. I also have been doing yoga for the past 2 weeks every morning before camp...Lets hope it all pays off, and I can keep it up.

**click on any of the highlighted words for links to them**

The New Goal.

I shall fill everyone in on more detail later, but for now here's the new goal. This one will be much more difficult but the reward will be that much better. I can only strive to keep myself inspired and perhaps inspire others along the way.

Check the LINK: Tour Du Canada