After the Maryland half marathon I knew I wanted to give 13.1 miles another go! I ended up placing a disappointing third but had gotten a better time than at the last half marathon. I just have to realize that I’m not the best runner yet and I still have  lots of work that needs to be done to fully become an elite runner. But I am definitely willing to put the training in! I had learned something today as well; testing other runners for weakness. There was a runner who was behind me and I didn’t even realize it until mile 5 when they popped up right next to me. After getting passed by the first two runners I knew I wasn’t going to let this runner beat me! What I had noticed through mile 5 through 7 is that when there were hills, they would fall behind. Knowing this, I gave every hill 110% in an effort to eventually pull away. As we approached the last mile, my plan worked and I had finished the race in 3^rd!

After completing a half marathon as my last race I knew today’s race wouldn’t be so bad! I ran the McVet 10k today and boy was I sore. The second place runner had pushed me up until the 4^th mile, I knew I had to break free from him, he was resting on my back the whole time! With 2 miles left I switched gears and left him behind without looking back!

This was for you Hayden. Placed first in this race too, my time wasn’t where I had wanted it to be, but at least I took the gold. I also had a fun time running with my brother! Check us our running for Hayden below.

Entering my first half marathon, I think I did pretty well. Coming in first by at least 3 minutes made me happy and wanting to do another! It was mentally challenging, it gives you a lot of time to think to yourself especially if you are trying to come in first! By the second mile I was ahead of everybody by a decent amount of time, I thought to myself…” I could really win this thing, just keep this pace up and don’t give up!” The course was definitely hilly but the worst part was the 12^th mile, This was hard. Multiple uphills combined with little downhill is not an easy task, but I did not stop. It was at the end of the race, and just like that all the hard work I had put into the challenge had paid off. I had won my first half marathon!