Lincoln Half Marathon (Finally...a Race Report)

Wow- it was 4 weeks ago when I ran the Lincoln half marathon.  We have been so busy that I am just now getting around to talking about the race.  

It was not my best race.  I did not PR (set a personal record) and honestly I can't even remember what my time was exactly...some where around 2:07.  I really wanted to hit sub 2 (under 2 hours) but knew that would be a long shot.  A PR was my next goal (under 2:05) and around mile 10 I knew that I would not hit either one of those times.  Actually, I knew a mile 4 I was not going to get sub 2.  I thought maybe around mile 6 I still might hit under 2:05.

So let's start from the beginning.  We drove up Saturday morning, and after driving around the campus a while we hit the Expo.  I picked up my race packet and strolled through the Expo.  It was even bigger this year!  Strolling through the running Expo's is always fun to me!  

Thank you Lauren for the snap shot!  After the Expo we headed to the hotel, swam, ate dinner, swam and finally went to bed.  

I was up at 5:00 and out the hotel door by 6:00.  Immediately when I stepped outside I noticed how windy it was.  I was hoping it was just the wind whipping through the downtown buildings....but that was not the case.  I was a windy race the whole time.  Plus, at 5:45 in the morning it was already 55 degrees.  A little too hot for a race.  

I headed up the the starting line with 12,000 + other runners.  We were able to wait in the indoor practice facility before the race started.  That was fun to be surrounded by thousands of other runners.  

I texted Mark and the girls several times....they wanted to see me...so I sent them a selfie! 

Finally around 7:20, it was race time.  I started out slow and maintained a great pace for first 3 miles.  There was a little hill around mile 2, but otherwise a pretty flat route.  

Mark and the girls were waiting for me around mile 3 or so.  It was so great to see them, give high 5's and hugs.  

I peeled off my long sleeve shirt and kept on running.  

Around mile 6 I saw them again.  Like I said, I knew at mile 4 I was not going to hit sub 2, so I decided to keep taking it easy and go for a PR.  It was hot and it was windy, so not the best running circumstances at all.  

Mark and the girls were cheering me on again around mile 8.  We almost missed each other.  They totally snuck up on me and I did on them too! 

I was around mile 10 that I decided running was not fun anymore.  It was hot, it was windy, my legs hurt, my feet hurt and I just wanted to be finished.  I kept trying to increase my speed and turn in on a little, but I just didn't have it in me.  From mile 10-13.1 I pretty much was done running.  I stopped and walked up a short hill...and I really did not want to start running again.  But, I did...and I didn't really like it.  

The finish line is at the 50 yard line of Memorial Stadium.  The best finish line ever.  It was amazing and believe me...I was so glad to be done.  Mark and his family and the girls were all in the stands cheering me on!  There was tons of great food after wards with lots of snacks!  It took me quite a while to catch up with them and find them...but I did! 

My biggest fans, bundled up and cold...since it was windy the spectators were a little cool, but not us runners!  Oh, and I forgot to mention...there are spectators along the whole entire half marathon route.  It was amazing to see the streets packed with people cheering us on! 

It was so great to have some of Mark's family down family down for the weekend. 

Thank you Mark for dragging the girls all over town to cheer me on.  It meant so much to have you all there! 

Rae Ann totally loved walking all over campus.  Perhaps she will be a Cornhusker in a few short years??

So overall, not a great race.  It was hot.  It was windy...and it was hard.  My heart was just not into this race.  For now, I am taking a long break from running.  I have not done anything for the last 4 weeks.  (Never mind that I just started a new job, and we sold our house that was not even on the market, and we are moving in 3 short weeks....)  Things have been crazy busy with no time or desire to run. At this point, I really don't know if that desire will come back...we shall see! 

Last Day of 2nd Grade

Wow...we have a 3rd grader....a 3rd grader.  I can't even wrap my head around that.  Today was the last day of 2nd grade for Lauren, and of course Addison will start Kindergarten next year!  What a great year it was for Lauren.  

Her report card today was near perfect.  Lauren excels in reading and writing and really enjoys both!  Math is a little tougher for her, but once you show her how to do the problem once, shes got it!  Lauren loves writing on the computer in her free time, and working on Xtramath!  

She is a polite, loving, caring, young lady.  Lauren is always looking out for others.  She is willing to help everyone out, and her and I have been hanging out a lot these days.  Right now, she really enjoys running errands with me and just hanging out together.  (Addison and Mark seem to be buddies these days...so that works out!)

Lauren is a beautiful young lady who prefers comfort over style, but she agreed to wear this adorable dress to school today!  She looked gorgeous! 

Mrs. Riley was her 2nd grade teacher and was amazing!  We loved Mrs. Riley.  We have actually been impressed with all of Lauren's teachers at Underwood.  It has been great school.  This was back on Meet the Teacher night in August....wow time has flown by! 

Here is Lauren on the 1st day of school in 2nd grade!  

Mark and I both love this picture!  

Jackeline was Lauren's best friend this year...by far!  Her and Jackeline are buddies.  Lauren's other best friends were Gabriella, Leila, Kaci, Jaxon, and many others!  

Since I just started a new job, I was not able to take the last day of school off like I normally do....bummer...and I had to work late (11 hour day)  But, Mark saved the day and took the girls to Orange Leaf for dinner.  Yea Daddy!

One more of our beautiful, young lady Lauren.  2nd grade was a great year!  Can't wait to see that 3rd grade brings at a new school!  

Finally...My Mother's Day Gift...

Mark bought me a house.  Yep!  That's right...a house! 

It is a crazy story and has been complete exhaustion for the last 2 1/2 weeks since Mark and I have both started new, busy, amazing opportunity jobs for the both of us...

But, we bought a house and we are thrilled...

Addison's Pre-K Graduation

Wow!  Our baby is 5 and headed to Kindergarten this fall!  I can't even believe it.  Where does the time go?  Addison is so full of energy, super, scary smart, very bright, very opinionated, very stubborn, very independent, social, creative, and loving all at the same time.  

We are so excited to see her head to Kindergarten this fall.  She is reading, doing 1st grade math, writing, and loves to draw and be creative.  I know this little girl is going to go very far in life.  I can tell already.  

After she marched in she was up on stage.  It took her a little while to find us, but when she did she smiled!  

The kids did the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the States song, and sang "I don't want to grow up" song.  Addison said she wanted to be a veterinarian when she grows up! 

Next they all received their diplomas.  She was so brave walking up on stage! 

She was absolutely adorable.  

After the ceremony there was a balloon release.  I captured several adorable pictures of Addison and her friends.  

I love this picture! 

Addison and Izzy! Buddies for sure...although Izzy and Chance (her twin brother) recently moved to Washington D.C.  But, they came back for graduation!  Yippee!  Such a great surprise

These 4 have  been together since the infant room.  Addison, Izzy, Chance and Maya.  

Best friends for sure.  Jenna and Addison.  

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And we can't forget Evie....

Sammi Jo was Addison's teacher this past year and has been wonderful.  Lauren and Addison both adore her!  

Addison loves these stuffed animals these days.  She has so many and she does not even have all of them.  We got her this and several work books to complete this summer and get ready for Kindergarten.  I know she is excited and I know she is ready.  I can't wait to see how she does this fall when school starts! 

Lincoln Half Marathon (part 1)

So I ran my 5th half marathon almost 2 weeks ago...where does the time go?  It was not my best race, but it was fun.  We headed up to Lincoln on Saturday and spent some time on the campus....here is day 1.  

We were driving around, making sure I know where the starting line was and where to line up Sunday morning of the race.  We were able to get up close and take a look around this side of Memorial Stadium.  We usually see the other side of the stadium, so to walk around over here was a ton of fun! 

Again...thank you Lauren for taking a great picture!  

Mark insisted on a picture with this new statue...someone important I guess :) 

Then I just went crazy snapping pictures of the girls as they ran around Memorial Stadium.  

We found out we could get into the South side of the stadium which was totally awesome! We had the whole stadium to ourselves...Mark loved it! 

We finally hit the expo so I could pick up my race packet and buy a few essential items (new sunglasses and a visor.) 

Then we checked into the hotel....the girls loved the staircase.  They acted like princesses!  

We did a little shopping before having dinner.  Never a dull moment with this one! 

Lauren really wanted this helmet...but I said no! 

I carb loaded for dinner at Noodles and Company.  Our cousins joined us...as well as Mark's Mom and Sister.  It was so great having them come down and cheer me on.  I loved having them there and loved that the girls got more time with their cousins, Grandma, and Aunt. 

Of course a major highlight of the weekend was swimming....twice on Saturday...before dinner and after dinner.  

Here is a very blurry picture of Emma, Addison, and Lauren!  They had so much fun swimming...

Then Sunday morning at 5 AM I was up and ready to start the day! 

More to come....