Morgan Valley Half Marathon

I'm enjoying my commitment to my personal health and wellness. Pursuing activities that promote an active lifestyle. I'm grateful Holly and I, are doing this together. As well as other family members doing the same. It's never too late to be your best healthy self one day at a time.

As Holly mentioned below, I wanted to do another half marathon while we were in Utah visiting family. We specifically booked our weekend visit to accommodate one of the races in UT. I had the opportunity to get up at the BCOD (Butt Crack of Dawn), and head up to Morgan UT with Holly, my sister Rebecca and my cousin Shannon to enjoy a morning of exercise.



Rebecca, Shannon and I, getting ready to queue up at dawn, and start our half race. The full marathoners started one hour before us in the pitch black.



Another photo. Holly took photos, and opted to sit this one out. She was able to get a little bit of rest in Shannon's minivan, before my anticipated time to cross the finish line.



3rd Half Marathon for the summer complete. Was able to bang it out, and make a new improved personal best time. I shaved off 5min & 16sec. I've only ever done long distance running at sea level. This was high in the Rocky Mountains, and the air was thin. My lungs were hurting! I was able to run the entire time with the exception at being at mile marker #6 for a few minutes. It was high in the elevation climb and could NOT catch my breath and started coughing and choking. I had to stop, put my head down for a second and get some oxygen. Once I fully acclimated to running at this altitude, so long as I had some water to sip on and keep my throat moist, I was fine. And was able to run the rest of the way to the finish line.



I finished in just over 2hrs & 32mins, making this high altitude run my new personal best thus far. I was proud of my run and my accomplishment of placing 10th in my age bracket for this race. I was not expecting that. Even though I stayed thoroughly hydrated, I was covered in salt from sweating buckets and got a little light headed after I crossed the finish line. I almost fell over taking down Holly with me, but we both prevented that from happening. Once I chugged a bunch more water, gatorade and chocolate milk at the finish line, I was good to go...

Furthermore, I was very proud of Rebecca for taking on another half marathon at my persistence. Even with severe back problems, she was able to compete and briskly walk this, shaving off even more time from her last race. Additionally we were all proud of Shannon for taking this on, and doing her first half marathon. It was great to see her work towards this, enjoy her time, and wait at the finish line for her to cross. Her young children met her just before the finish line and were able to walk across with her. It as a great time together.

Looking forward to my next half marathon in October, over in Leavenworth. Another high altitude alpine run, with all the fall foliage turning. It will be beautiful and much, MUCH cooler than this last race was.