3rd place in my age division @ S.outh L.ake T.ahoe H.alf M.arathon! WOOT!

In August, I decided to sign-up for the South L.ake T.ahoe half m.arathon.

I didn't have the opportunity to do any formal training--mainly because I decided to sign up ~ 6 weeks before the race. And, secondly... I wasn't 100% sure I would actually get to run it because we would potentially be moving into our new home that same weekend. I did however make sure to get a 10 and a 12 mile run in, in the 3 weeks prior to the race. And, I was doing a lot of 3-5.5 mile runs pushing Giuliana and Marco in the jogger.

As luck would have it... we weren't able to move into the new house until October 3rd. So, we made a weekend trip of it and spent a night in the S.outh L.ake area. The kids loved hiking the trails around the lake and we even took them on a gondola ride up H.eavenly so they could see some beautiful views of the lake.

The race was Sunday morning and I did not wake up happy. Thank goodness for the late start time... but even with that buffer... I must have only logged about 5 hours of sleep. Marco had a bit of a cold and was teething... so the poor little guy kept waking up throughout the night crying. Combine that with the fact I forgot to bring my noise machine (I have to sleep to crickets or a fan at night), and well... I did not get a good nights sleep.

So, I told Dan I didn't even want to run. Somehow he cajoled me into getting dressed to race and we went out for breakfast. I was still only half convinced I would run. By the time I got to the starting line... the running bug got the best of me and my mind was getting in the game. I told myself I was just going to go out and enjoy it. Granted a tiny part of me still had the competitive spirit.

Running at 6,800 feet is a challenge. Breathing is a lot harder. My goal for the day was to finish in just under 2:00 (because for my PR time of 1:47, they tell you to add 12-13 minutes to your finish time at this altitude).

I actually felt really great right off the bat (granted, I did have a 24 hour headache from the altitude). I was going to just enjoy the run. And, I did! I even snapped pictures along the way... I think I took a total of 5 photos from my phone, stopping just twice to snap them. I don't normally take pictures during races... but the views of E.merald Bay were too stunning to not snap a few. Dan and the kids were cheering me on from various locations. They would drive up ahead and wait for me to reach them, and then drive off ahead again. I LOVE that! My family IS my motivation!

I think I realized at about 8 miles in that I was having a great run... and might actually make the podium. I saw Dan & the kids up ahead and I called out to him "I think I might actually make the podium, babe!" and Dan said "I know - you're kicking butt!". So, that got me kind of fired up... and I think I suddenly went from *enjoying the race* to *I have to place*.

I was tired in the last 2 miles. Tired as in I started asking myself *why the heck I sign myself up for self torture like this* kind of tired. I was so dead set on making the podium at this point though... so I couldn't slow down.

As I approached the finish line, I saw Dan & the kids. I finished hard. Right away they gave me my medal and a "Top 25 Finisher" jacket, so I was hopeful I made the podium. I found Dan and the kids... and we made our way over to the results board.

I was SO EXCITED to see that I placed 3rd in my age division and 38th overall! I obviously didn't PR (because of the 6,800 ft elevation), but 1:55:25 was respectable for the elevation. They estimate my time would have been in the 1:42-1:43 range at sea level.

So this was the second race within 2 months where I made the podium! Woot! And, this time... I actually got to stand on a podium when receiving my 3rd place award. It was such an awesome, fun and unexpected experience. I was so proud of myself and happy (and shocked!!). It made me want to set an actual goal and do some actual training for a future half marathon.

Dan and Gabby were actually really excited about it and proud of me too... which I obviously loved! Rocco and Giuliana and Marco were more excited about being able to play on the sandy beach while waiting for the award ceremony. Ha!!