Sunday, March 22, 2009

Sunny Moab

This weekend we went down to sunny Moab, UT for the half marathon. It was gorgeous! The weather was perfect and it felt so good to get some sun.
Note: Skip this and the next paragraph if you don't want to hear details about running. The race was a success! My love for running has been restored because of this weekend. The conditions were prime. Overall, the race felt super fast. It went by so quick and people were just fast pace. It was like one minute we started then the next it was mile 8 and soon enough we were finishing. I think it partly went by so fast because I felt good for mainly the entire time. I went in planning to run no faster than 10 minute miles for a few reasons 1) I have not run more than 9 miles at once in the last 6 months 2) I only ran those 9 mile runs twice 3) with 2 weeks left until race day I got pretty sick and didn't run for 10 days straight and 4) my total weekly mileage over the last 6 months had not exceeded 20 miles.

Needless to say, my goal for this race was to have fun and finish. So I started out really slow and just enjoyed the scenery. At about mile 5 I really warmed up and started picking up the pace. At mile 8 I realized that I felt pretty good and picked up the pace again. At mile 10 or 11 I knew I was almost done and still felt good so I picked up the pace once again. I ended up finishing in 1:52 (one hour and 52 minutes). That is far from my personal best, but I was still pretty happy with my time considering my lack of training.
Pre-race
At the finish
After the race, we went up the canyon along the Colorado River and did a 4 mile round trip hike out to an arch in Negro Bills Canyon. It was a really nice hike along a stream. We had so much fun being in the outdoors. Here is a bunch of pictures...













8 comments:

Angel said...

OK thats really funny because what you call your "slow" race is totally what I'm shooting for at my best! haha. I'm just not a fast runner. If I can run the Salt Lake Half under 2 hours then I'll be thrilled! :) Great job! Its so not fair that you can run it that fast with not much training. I'm impressed. Your hike looks fun! I love the sunny weather we've been having lately. Too bad its supposed to be cold all this week!

J and L said...

Dang!!! I am so impressed that you not only ran a 1/2 marathon after not feeling well, but then you went for a 4 mile hike afterwards! Looks like you had a great time!!

Zandra said...

You are absolutely amazing! Congratulations on such a great race. I can't believe you had the legs to go for a hike afterwards!

Kat and Steve said...

Way to go Connie! That's awesome. I love southern Utah, it's been way to long since I've been there. Looks like you had a great weekend!

Ginger and JT Pruitt said...

wow, connie, i cant believe youre still racing. you inspire me. haaha that one picture with you running next to the blue sponsor tape reminds me of the one of you when you were in junior high - just with orange shorts!

Emily said...

Way to go Connie! You are amazing. I can't believe I lived in Utah my whole life and never visited Moab. I know I'm totally lame.

Anna said...

"I haven't done more than 20 miles a week.."

I don't drive that far a week-go Connie!! Daaaaaang girl that's awesome.

I love these pictures and congrats on a race well run!!! You are totally my inspiration to go running.

Unknown said...

Congrats for getting back in your groove! I've always been impressed with your ability and devotion to running. Wish I had it.