Preparing for Africa

In preparing to go to Africa in two weeks I have realized a couple of things.

1. Hiking shoes are not cute or comfortable
2. Peeing in a funnel sounds horrible (this could have been a deal breaker if I would have known)
3. Hiking pants are not flattering - it does not matter the style
4. Walking for 15 hours does not seem fun
5. I shut down in the cold
6. My arms get tired easy so working on a school for a week is going to be rough
7. What happens on the mountain stays on the mountain
1. Rachael has promised that she will still talk to me after I have my breakdown

Besides all I have learned I am super excited to go.  This is going to be an amazing and unforgettable trip and I am so excited that I am going to be doing it with Rachael.  

Utah Valley Marathon - 3:46

This past Saturday I ran the Utah Valley Marathon.  I was really worried about it because the longest run I had done was a 16 mile and that was about a month ago.  This past week I had the Special Olympics Summer Games with work so I was working 14 hour days and my body was exhausted.  I also didn't have any family or friends along the way to hand me stuff so I was not feeling it. That keeps me going.  But despite it all, I did it.

Here is a weekend recap:

Friday
7:30 pm:  Pick up Elizabeth and Mark to get dinner (they already got my race packet at the expo)
9:00 pm: Set out race day outfits (they already did but I added mine for photo opportunities)
9:30 pm: Start complaining its too hot and how sore I already am

Saturday -
2:30 am: Look at clock. Yes!!  I still have an hour.
3:30 am:  Wake up and dressed
4:00 am:  Load buses
6:00 am: Start the race
Mile 5: Decided that wearing capris and a coat was not the best decision on my part.  Wrap coat around waist and think this is going to be a long day.
Mile 8: Finally in groove, just finished two hills
Mile 13: Start realizing I might be able to finish this
Mile 20: Try to talk to someone cause I am bored, she claims she had bronchitis. Dang!
Mile 25.8:  Start walking and crying when I realize I have a 1/10 mile longer than I thought
Mile 25.85: Realized I am being stupid and start running to finish since it is right in front of me
Mile 26.2:  Get my PR 3:46 on the dot.  Woot woot!

10:00 am:  Shower
11:30 am:  In n' Out - Nothing is better than a big diet coke and burger after a race.
12:30 pm: Back at Special Olympics to finish the summer games
8:00 pm: Finally done with work and can sit

Thank you Elizabeth and Mark for coming and running with me! I had as much fun as I could.