for the love....

saturday was the ogden half marathon. i went in to this race with no expectations.

the week leading up to the race was very stress filled for my family for many different reasons.

not feeling completely prepared for this race i decided to run it for different reasons. this time it wouldn't be about a pr....wasn't feeling too competitive.
i was going to run just for the love of running. having run this race last year i knew it was a beautiful course. weather....it was a perfect morning:) i wanted to find that peaceful rhythm of my feet hitting the ground and enjoy the beautiful canyon. i was going to take the day for what it was.

i usually don't turn my music on for a couple miles.

this day wasn't any different....i enjoy hearing the 'race chatter' at the start. there is so much energy and excitement as people try to find their groove the first few miles.

around mile 3 i found what i was looking for....
it's a feeling that is hard to put in to words.
i won't even try to describe it other than to say it is a actual physical sensation.
i don't know why it hit me harder this day
but i was in a really good mental place:)

i had a big smile on my face as i ran across the finish line. i'd taken this race and made it my day....
some days it's just about showing up at the starting line.
turns out i was only five minutes off my pr
and i beat my time from last year on the same course:)

only another runner will understand how i crave that feeling. once you've been there....
you want it back.
so.....
i found another race:)
see ya at the start line on Monday!

happiness....

13.1 done again