The Finish Line

The official marathon photos are finally up!

They are going to be a little blurry, as we "borrowed" them from the website, but I was too excited when I saw these that I couldn't wait to share them:



TEAM HEATHA bringin me home!

Doesn't that picture just make you smile?

Here we are coming down the home stretch:



And crossing as a family:



I'm so so so glad the photographers captured this moment since we didn't get any finishing pictures.

Don't let the timer fool you, my official time was 4:29:02. I'm proud of that time, yo!!

Hope you're having a fantastic Thursday - I'm excited that tomorrow starts the WEEKEND!!

Let the relaxing begin!

Dual Celebration

Hey, hey!!

How is your Wednesday going so far? I'm in a great mood because it's finally sunny here again in Cleveland! What's it like in your neck of the woods?

So, after the marathon on Sunday, Team Heatha headed back to the Wood (Lakewood, for you non-Clevelanders) for a post-race and birthday celebration.



Whose birthday was it, you ask?



My mom! 39 again, right? hahaha.... :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATH!!!

So, after some much needed showers, and per my mom's request, we headed to Danny Boys in Rocky River for some GRUB. By this time, I was HANGRY!

The waitress was super nice. When she saw my shirt, she brought us out some complimentary breadsticks. And if you've ever been to Danny Boys, you know that their breadsticks are TO.DIE.FOR. Seriously, they are puffy, doughy, garlicky bread deliciousness. Go there. Now. You will thank me.

And no birthday is complete without (cup)cake, right?



Are you tired of seeing cupcakes from Main Street Cupcakes yet? Because I will NEVER get tired of this place. We split them all 4 ways and taste tested our way through. The peanut butter chocolate was my absolute favorite!



And you know we didn't leave without a silly picture like this one:



I love C's face in this picture. He's so into it!

Do you have a certain picture/pose you have to always take/do?

The Second Half

So, as I shook my head in disbelief after I split off from the half marathoners, I started my way down the LONGEST stretch of the course. Miles 12 to 16 were HARD because we were right along the lake running INTO the wind. Plus, it was the most difficult part of the course for spectators to get to so there weren't many bodies around, or any activity at all. Surprisingly, even with these obstacles, I was still feeling good. My breathing was steady and I was just moving along. I remember thinking to myself how happy I was. I was running along the lake, the sun was shining, and I was still feeling strong!

At mile 16 we turned onto Martin Luther King Drive and I knew I had one mile or so before I saw my family. I hit a pretty steep hill right after mile 17 and halfway up decided to walk so that I wouldn't burn myself out. I thought "I hope they aren't right at the top of this hill and see me walking!". And, wouldn't you know it, they were RIGHT at the top! It was the coolest thing ever, though, because I saw them and they saw me as soon as I came over the top and started on the decline. I saw my mom point me out to C and it made me smile so big.



J actually hopped in with me at this point and ran miles 18 to 20! He's not much of a runner, but he was such a trooper. What a husband! This was probably the prettiest section of the race so I was just trying to take it all in. The volunteers and spectators were so motivating through here, too. These 3 miles went by so fast! We had one more hill at the end of that area and C ran to the bottom to run up with us:



Anyone see a "family marathon" in our future??? Hehe.

Beka joined me at mile 21, and ran with me to the finish (even though she had already run the 10k!). I have the best of friends who are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to support me in these crazy endeavors!! We had to run down Euclid Ave and not through the best part of the city. This was probably the most boring section of the race. I felt bad because I was starting to feel the pain - my hamstrings were super tight and calves were burning - and I was starting to complain.



But Beka was fantastic. She never let me get down on myself, and really pushed me to the end. At one point I remember saying to her "I can't talk anymore. You have to talk without me." Haha. I was getting frustrated and just wanted to finish!

Once we turned the corner and could see the finish line in the distance I actually kicked it up a little! I couldn't believe I had it left in me.



Beka jumped out at mile 26 to let me finish and as I was running down the finish corral, C and J jumped in with me and we finished all holding hands! It was so emotional!

The announcer at the finish line even came up to read Colin's shirt and announced into the crowd "TEAM HEATHA!!". It was pretty darn cool.

Official results: 4:29:02. HECK, YES!!! I secretly wanted to come in under 4:30... :)



  

We walked around the after party a little bit so I could stretch my legs and they had a booth that had the official race results. How cool! I had literally just finished the race 5-10 minutes before and they were able to tell me my official race time. I was psyched! Especially since my Garmin told me I ran 26.48 miles!!! I know Allison's watch said she ran 26.34! WTH, Cleveland?? Whatevs.

I just want to thank my family for being there for me. You all seriously ROCK.





What a great day.



So, will I do another one? You betcha!!

Be on the lookout tomorrow for the post race celebration.....!

Hugs----

The First Half

Hello! What a day yesterday was!!

Saturday night we headed to bed early and I was actually able to fall asleep by 10:30 (with the help of some Advil PM!). I slept straight through until my alarm went off at 5am! I debated with myself on what to wear, and ultimately went with the tank top and arm sleeves, which turned out to be the best decision, btw!

My friend, Beka, was running the 10k with her friend, Monica, so they met at our house at 6 to drive downtown together (me, Beka, Monica):





We got downtown at 6:30, met up with Jenay, and it was 6:50 already (race started at 7:00)! It was perfect timing since we didn't have to wait around too long. Jenay and I said our goodbyes, and headed out to join the mass of people running the half and full marathon. The 10kers were starting at 7:15 so Beka and Monica had a little time before they started.



We didn't have to wait long before the gun went off, and it only took about 3 minutes to cross the start line. It was crowded, but everyone seemed to be in good spirits so it was fun! We ran past the Science Center and Browns Stadium first and then up to West 6th Street. We were running a pretty steady 9:30 pace but I knew I wouldn't be able to keep that up if I didn't want to burn out early. I was feeling good, though, so I decided to stick with it for awhile. Jenay was running the half marathon, and trying to PR, so I didn't want to hold her back. We ran over the Carnegie Bridge and made our way towards Tremont. I knew my family was going to be there so I was in a great mood knowing I was going to see them around mile 4.







It was quick hello/goodbye and I was off again! After we left Tremont we had to run towards the westside of Cleveland on Lorain. Not the best area of Cleveland, but I was feeling great so I didn't mind. And the miles just seemed to be flying by. It was right around Mile 8 that I told Jen good luck, gave her a hug, and said I'd talk to her later. I knew I wouldn't be able to finish if I kept that pace.

Then I ran into Team Heatha at mile 9:



See me? I actually got teary a little bit at this point seeing C in front of me. I loved having him there cheering me on. Having family and friends there to support you really makes all the difference.

After a quick hug and kiss, we headed past Edgewater on the shoreway (I always find it funny to be running on the freeway, how bout you?) towards downtown. I desperately needed a bathroom break and stopped at mile 11 to use one of the porta pottys. I'd never stopped during a race like this and surprisingly didn't feel rushed! I stretched my hamstrings while waiting my turn and it felt so good!! I was trying to be smart this time around.

I got back into my groove and it was at mile 12 where the half marathoners split off. I actually laughed out loud to myself and shook my head in disbelief as to what I was doing. :)

I headed to the left as the halfers turned to the right and was still feeling positive. I knew I had a long stretch before I saw my family again (they were going to be at mile 17-18) so I turned up my music and kept on.

Second half coming later today -- stay tuned!!

Have a good Monday!

Today Was a Good Day

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.



THIS is the feeling I was looking to gain 2 weeks ago in Pittsburgh. I'm SO GLAD I decided to run today!

Gonna go relax and stretch. Hope everyone had as fulfilling of a day as I had!

Details tomorrow!

Hugs----  

Cleveland Rocks & Runs

OMGOMGOMGOMG -- it's here!!!



I would think that my mind would be so much more at ease about tomorrow since now I know what to expect. But, like I said before, I am so anxious for this race for some reason. And maybe it IS because I know what to expect?! All I know is that I'm a basket case right now (but what else is new).

In any case, we picked C up from school yesterday and headed straight downtown to the Expo at the Cleveland Convention Center to pick up my bib and such. I thought it would be fun to show C what all the hype is about and to get him involved. I think he found this the most amusing:



Must be a boy thing to find rows of porta pottys funny? Haha...

I think the back of the shirt is my favorite. I love that the slogan is "Cleveland Rocks and Runs"! The guitar is made up of all running related terms - it's cute.



Though, the loot we got isn't very impressive:



I mean, Reese's and Kit Kats? Oh well.

I did pick up some new socks to try (though I won't be wearing them tomorrow!). I've heard good things about these:



Is it bad I get excited about socks these days?? :)

Well, the plan is to have an early dinner at home tonight and get to bed early. I'm not sure what the outcome will be tomorrow, but I'm going to give it my all. As I tell C, "Try before you cry!". Who knows, I may just cry.........

Have a good weekend, Friends!!

Best Gift Ever

LOVE:



Ummmm, please don't mind my double chin!

Here's a closeup:



My mom helps out a friend of the family and works at his jewelry store on the weekends and once during the week. His store is located in the quaint, downtown Willoughby area, and is called W Brown Custom Jewelry and Design. He specializes in custom orders, and even made my engagement ring (check out the "Heather" here)! If you're ever in the market for something special I highly recommend you check him out, Bill's such a great guy and works to create just what you want. How cool is it knowing you have a piece of jewelry that NO ONE else will ever have?

So, earlier this week I was telling the hubby that I wanted a necklace similar to this and he told me I should call Bill to have something made and then my mom showed up with this tonight!! I'm still super excited:



Can you tell??

THANKS MOM!! LOVE YOU.