1/2 + 1/2 = 1

Well, today was the day! All of our training came down to this. Our goal was to run the race at a 10 minute mile pace which would put us finishing in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Did we achieve our goal? Stay tuned to find out!

The start and finish were right by the Space Needle!

When registering for the 1/2 marathon we decided to put ourselves in the 2 hour and 30 minute time bracket since we weren't sure how fast we could really run for an extended period of time by the time we had to register. As training continued we were pleasantly surprised that we were able to keep a 10-12 minute pace even as we added miles. Although all our runs weren't the most pleasant. I remember one training in particular where Matthew planned the route and thought a steep hiking trail would be a fun idea. And another time when we were supposed to run 8 miles, but it turned into about 10 because we made a wrong turn and got lost. The long Saturday runs were the hardest on me because of all the time it took out of my day off, but when we got to the race today I knew it had all been worth it.

Kara & friend Mare Bear excited for the race!

The energy was one of the most spectacular parts of the race. The sheer number of people running with you was exhilarating, then to have people lined up cheering you on was encouraging and of course, the beautiful views of the city, Lake Washington and Puget Sound were the cherries on top.

At the start of the race I felt great. A part of me just wanted to shoot out and go for it, but I reminded myself that I needed to pace myself if I was going to hit my time. The first six miles were great and Matthew and I were making good time, then my calf started to bother me a bit. I tried to push through it, but it felt like it was seizing up, it just got tighter and tighter. I stopped a few times to stretch it out and I even had to walk for a little bit because the pain got to be too much to run on. We stopped at the medic tent and they gave me some gatorade and said to just take it easy, but I wanted to finish this race and attain my time goal. After drinking some gatorade and stretching I pushed forward and finished the race! Mile 10 and 11 were rough, but the last two miles went by rather fast.

Matthew and I may not have finished at the exact time we wanted to, but considering the circumstances and the stops we had to make we are pretty proud of ourselves!

After the race we got tons of goodies as well as a medal and the opportunity to go to an outdoor concert featuring Gym Class Heros...I love these guys, so I was pretty excited. Matthew and I enjoyed some music and then headed home to take a nap.

We came home to find a little treasure on our door step from Jack and Steph Quincy! We have great friends who know us soooo well. That chocolate milk was heavenly!

Father's Day

I made a little somethin somethin for Matthew today...one day he will be a great dad!

Growing Older

For my 27th birthday Matthew got me a balcony garden starter kit! I was actually excited about it because I haven't ever really planted/grown anything on my own. I remember my parents having a garden when I was little and I always loved the huge sunflowers they grew. I'm hoping that I have a green thumb!

For my birthday dinner we decided to go out to MOD (made on demand) Pizza with our good friends the Quincys. Do you realize that we have known them for almost a year now! It seems just like yesterday. I think 27 will be a good year.

Soccer, Food and a Wedding

One of my best friends in the entire world got married this weekend and I am so pleased that I was able to make it for the special day. But that wasn't the only thing I was excited for; I also had the opportunity to hang out with some family this weekend!

There is one more reason I was excited, well at least to fly. One of the sad things about Seattle is the lack of Chili's restaurants there are. There is only one in the city and that one is located in the airport after going through the security check, so I was excited to get a Chili's fix!

Saturday morning Cynda, Steve and I met up with the Taylor's for James' soccer game. It was a beautiful day and so much fun to see all the kids running after the ball. Despite both coaches' best efforts the kids didn't keep to their positions, but you could tell they were having fun! At the end of the game there was a little award ceremony and each kid got a medal for participation.

After the soccer game we ran some errands and later that afternoon had some yummy food at the Taylor's house. Of course Liz did some amazing grilling and I got to spend time with the kids. Madeleine loved showing off her bat wings, while Cole showed off his shell collection, Spencer showed of his tree climbing skills and James showed off his ever so lovable smile.

That evening I headed to the wedding reception. Kirsten has been one of my best friends since we met in St George about 7 years ago. We took a sports medicine class together and were a part of a group a friends from the dorms at Dixie State College. She was a bridesmaid at my wedding and she has always been a good listener. We have had some fun times together. I was pretty excited when she first told me that she was dating and then engaged to her now husband, David Astle. I met David in the 38th Ward (The same ward Matthew and I met in) and I always thought of him as a kind, giant soul. It also turns out that David moved in with Anthony Woolf when Matthew moved out to marry me! So Kirsten and I dated our beaus out of the same apartments, just at different times!

The reception was lovely. I loved that it was in a green house, even if the green house was at a cemetery! At first it was slightly weird to be at the reception without Matthew, but soon some familiar faces showed up and we had a good time catching up and of course dancing! I was especially glad to see my dear friend Matthew Meldrum and his mom.

Sunday was spent at church and the PUs home. I enjoyed Steve and Cynda's company as well as Steve's yummy grilled burgers. I feel so blessed to have such a good relationship with Matthew's parents. I feel their love for me and love spending time with them with or without Matthew. I feel like they are my second parents and I know I am lucky. Not everyone gets the opportunity to have such a relationship. After dinner the Taylors dropped by for a quick visit before I was dropped off at the airport. Although a short visit, it was definitely a sweet one!

From bat girl to ballerina