20 A marathon!?

Race number twenty brought a biggie!  October 23rd brought Marathon Day!   Alle and I headed to Morgan Hill to complete what would be our first marathon ever.

Here is the elevation of the course. 

I had my alarm set for 4:30 so that I could get dressed and pick up Alle at 5.  At 5:15 I woke up to a text from Bryan's phone....oops, I quickly threw on my clothes and hopped into the car with my headphones, a towel, my watch, a Gatorade, my arm tattoo, and the flip flops on my feet.

I picked up Alle at just about 5:30, and was handed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!  I decided to make sure I had my arm tattoo, which I did, but then realized I HAD NO SHOES!!!! Luckily I was only a mile from my house when I realized this and not on my way to Morgan Hill.   I drove back home to pick up my shoes from Matt who was waiting outside with them.

Then Alle and I were finally on our way.  We arrived and parked on a street about 2 blocks away from the start line and proceeded to get ready.   We put our shoes on, put the time tattoo on my arm, made sure the headphones were plugged in and then made a video.

We then walked over to the starting line eating some energy jelly beans and realizing we needed to go to the bathroom. We saw a line for some porta potties and jumped in.   We were just about at the front of the line when a man walked up to tell us that there were about 40 other porta potties a few feet ahead.  We were next in line and did not get out of line.  It was 7 minutes before race time. 

Alle and I before the MARATHON!

We finished in the porta potties and then headed to the starting line, we moved up as far as we could before the race started which was right away!

Where the race started, and where I was looking forward to getting back to.

Alle and I ran the first mile together in 10:30.  I was happy she ran that first mile with me because sometimes the hardest part is starting.  When the race started there was like a herd of people and soon enough the people dispersed and I was often running by myself, not able to see anyone around me.  I reached mile 10 at just over 2 hours.  I was feeling great. I was getting water and Gatorade at every station and making sure I was hydrated.  Somewhere in mile 11 I turned my ankle, but was able to shake it off, but that is when my time started to slow down.  When I got to mile 15 I was still running, and was feeling pretty good, after all over HALF of the race was behind me.  All of a sudden Butterfly Kisses came on my Ipod and I imagined dad was with me running the massive downhill stretch.  I continued to run until I got to mile 17.  My time was now about 4 hours, a major slow down,  this is where I had a breakdown.  And thought to myself, and nearly convinced myself that I could not do this race.  There was no way I was going to finish let alone finish on time. 

(Alle finished in 4:00!  This is about when she left this message for me.)

None the less I tried to continue on, I would jog when I could, but must admit a lot of the rest of the race was spent walking as fast as I could.  When I finally had myself composed again I said to myself, "you can do this Kristen, stop second guessing yourself."  I kept going and the miles seemed to be getting longer.  Mile 19, I was finally back on roads with cars.  I knew if I could get to mile 20 I only had a 10 K to go.  I continued on, running when I could.  I got to a point in the race where I could have cut 2 miles out of the race because it was an out and back portion, it crossed my mind to cut and then decided I would only be cheating myself and living a lie if I ever told anyone that I completed the marathon.  Before long, I knew I was at the tail end of the race, because the truck that was picking up the cones was parking right behind one the turns waiting to pick up the next set of cones.  At mile 23 I was thrilled to know that I only had 3 more miles to go.  I was so hot and the water that I had been throwing on my head at ever water station was evaporating faster.  I saw a full water bottle on the ground and no one around, and decided it was mine!  I opened the bottle and threw the water on my head.  Then I threw the water bottle.  Mile 25 brought the last water station.  Though I was thrilled to be at mile 25 I started to panic about making it on time to the finish line.  There was a 6:30 minute time limit!   About half way through the last mile, I saw Alle and I started crying, another breakdown.  I had only 3 minutes until the time limit, I was so upset because I wasn't going to be able to finish, I wouldn't get my medal, and I would have failed. 

A lady who I had been near most of the end of the race overheard me and told me not to give up and that I was almost there, that I was going to finish the race.  Alle also told me the same things, and that she would make sure I finished!  She jogged beside me, in her flip flops, until I couldn't jog anymore.  

I finally saw mile marker 26!  It was after 6:30 by now.  I entered the park running, there were people all around cheering, they were cheering for me!   I had to run into the finish, I couldn't let any of us down,  I entered the shoot and then Alle said to me, "Look he has your medal ready!  Get to him!!"  I took off as fast as I could and accepted my medal!!!  I had earned it! I finished with a time of 6 hours and 36 minutes!

I was overjoyed with tears in my eyes, as I crossed the finish line!

WE did it!

It was a tough walk back to the car, my feet were in some pain.  I was also still feeling down at that point, disappointed I missed my goal by six minutes.  Alle helped me realize it didn't matter my time, it mattered that I finished!

Still waiting to see if I am going to lose this nail!



I did end up having a blister, in fact I had three on my right foot!

Alle and I went to Chili's after the race!  This is Alle trying to stand up from the booth.  A waiter rushed over to her immediately thinking something was wrong.  Our reply, "We're marathoners!"

Race shirt and Medal!

Thanks for everything Morgan Hill!

Next race: Run with the Jets   November 6th

Marathon in the morning!

GASP!!!  GADZOOKS!!!  I can not believe it!  Tomorrow is the day that tells me if I can really complete the Goofy Challenge in January!  Tomorrow I am running a MARATHON!!!  I am in so much disbelief right now.  I feel confident now.  Tomorrow morning may be a whole different story.  I only have 6.5 hours to race... will the time run out?
I am going to push myself as hard as I can be pushed in order to finish this run.  Race number 20 here I come!

Last tri number 19

My last triathlon brought me back to Sacramento, specifically to Discovery Park on October 9th.  Dad and I left for Sacramento in the morning before the race started. 

I checked in and made my way to transition in order to find the perfect spot for my bike. 

Before the race!   Dad said I needed a new pre race photo.

Here I am getting ready to go!  I had to head over a bridge and onto the other side of the river. 

Here I go!



See you after my third lap!



Just about to cross the finish line!

Here's the cut I gave dad before the race....Sorry DAD!

That was a crazy hard race, but I did it!

And that's a triathlon wrap!

Wow Golden State  that was tough!

Next Race: MORGAN HILL MARATHON  10/23

Scott Tinley (18)

Race number 18 brought me to Scott Tinley!!  I was super excited to go back to Scott Tinley because this was the place that I completed my first triathlon 2 years ago!  It was hard to believe that it was already the 1st of October.  I had one goal and that was to beat my  time from two years ago of 2:16!

Alle and I drove to San Luis Obispo after work on September 30, got there after dark, set up our tent, and went to sleep.  When we woke up, we packed up the car and walked to registration. 

We could tell right away there was a lot more people this year than there had been 2 years ago.  They even had assigned us where we were to put our bikes. 

We are ready to race!

We are strong and powerful!

Alle and I headed down to the water to wait for our start.  It was a .25 mile swim.  When our time to go came I realized I didn't have my watch ready, so I fiddled with it and then got in.  I saw Alle and tried to pass her, but quickly thought I saw her pass me again.  It wasn't until I was out of the water 13 minutes later and back in transition that I realized Alle never passed me!  I had beaten her out of the water! Which meant I was getting lunch for free!  Alle was in transition before I had left and I jumped on my bike and continued on my way.
While going up the first hill Alle passed me, I had expected it, after all she rides her bike to work everyday.  As the ride continued I was feeling pretty good, I was keeping a pretty good time.  I started to look for Alle and then I saw a girl on the ground...not Alle *phew.*  I finally spotted her right before the turn around, I was really doing good.  I kept going as fast as I could, then I got to this huge hill and knew I had to get up the hill without getting off the bike (which is what I had done two years ago). I did it and was so proud.  The bike took me exactly 1 hour.
I set out on the run, determined to run the last 3 miles of my race.  Like always my legs felt like jello for part of the first mile.  I was doing great on my timing until I came to this huge hill, that I had forgotten about...I could not run up it, but I walked as fast as I could.  I looked at the time on my watch and thought to myself I can still beat 2 hours.  So I continued running!

This is right after I realize I could still beat 2 hours!

I saw Alle at the bottom of the last hill and turned the corner to do the last little loop.  I had 5 minutes to make it and then 4, I had to just a little further and knew I could make it. 

Almost to the finish line!  Just a few more feet!

I'm almost there!

I did it!!!! 1:57!!!!!  A 19 minute improvement on my time!!  I couldn't be prouder of myself!

Looking back to see the finishers!

I did it!  I beat my time!

We did it Alle!  Two years later and still rocking it!



I wanted to redo the pictures that I took two years ago!



Scott Tinley: You were too kind!
Next Race:  Golden State Tri October 9th

Number 17 the Longest Tri

September 25 brought me back to Granite Bay!  I hadn't been here since April's Ice Breaker Tri.  This race had .75 mile swim, a 13 mile bike, and a 5 mile run!
Dad and I headed up to Granite Bay bright and early!

Getting my cap on right!

 I felt the water and it felt cold, but definitely not as cold as in April.  I was nervous about swimming 3/4 of a mile....it's far!  As my time came and I ran in I started going as fast as I could.  My goggles started to fog up and I could no longer see the white bouies. When I finally knew I was back on course I continued on my way.  When I reached the first bouie I looked at the second bouie and started counting my strokes so that i wouldn't just go into breast stroke, which is what I go to when I am tired.  I felt like no time had passed when I got to the second bouie.  When I looked at where the finish line was for the swim I thought to myself "I can get there."  Well it felt like forever by the time I finally got there.  It took me 32 minutes to finish the swim, not too bad!

I did it!  I swam .75 miles!

Here I go!

 I took off on the bike for what I knew was going to a double loop.  It's a hilly course and having to do the same loop twice makes me feel like I am going slow.  The bike took me one hour eight minutes, and then I was ready for the run.

Now for the run!

And off I go!

 I yelled to dad as I ran by him, "I'll see you in an hour!"  I set out I knew what the first mile was going to look like, and I conquered it better than ever before. It felt like no time to get to mile 2, but then came the sand and the hills.  The hardest part of the run was mile 3-4 where I had to go straight up for a while and then straight down.  When I reached the water station at mile 4 I was extremely happy!  I knew exactly where I needed to go.  I was over an hour at this point in the run.  I ran the last mile in ten minutes and sprinted across the finish line.
I finished the race in 2:55!

Deciding what I should eat!

YES!  An Oreo and a banana!

Next race:  Scott Tinley!!!  October 1!

Number 16

September 18th brought me back to Pleasanton, but this time for the Tri for Real!  This race had a half mile swim, 18 mile bike, and a 4 mile run.
I decorated my swim cap the night before the race, because it had a race number on it from a previous race and I wanted to use the cap.  

My fierce swim cap!

I arrived at the race nice and early, so that I could set up my bike and have time to let the length of the swim really kick in.  I was nervous, but I knew I would be able to do it. 
Here I am pre race getting ready to head over to the starting line.

Before the start of the race!

The swim started for wave 4, my wave.  We were the smallest wave with only about 20 something people in it. I was in the under 29 women's wave.  the 30 and up women's wave had well over 100 participants. 
I started the swim nice and strong and in just about 17 minutes was back out of the water and running to get my shoes, and helmet on to start the bike.  The bike was a double loop of a course very similar to the Tri for Fun seriers.  During the biking there was a 25 year old in front of me and we were playing cat and mouse.  I'd catch her and she'd catch me.  I finally blew by her and finished the bike before her.
Then came the run, the girl caught me but I kept her in my view the entire time.  I was not going to let her beat me!   When we climbed the final hill I made sure to go fast enough to stay right behind her until I could find a good sprinting point.  As we entered the grassy area, she was running zig zag lines, and I knew that was my chance.  I took off in a sprint and didn't look back, I hit the pavement and could finally see the finish line.  I crossed the finish line and waiting I had beaten her by 20 seconds, but I had done it!
My finishing time was 2:27!  Not to shabby!

YAY!!!! I did it!

My Pleasanton races are now over for the year, but I went out there and kicked some major butt!

My shirt!

Next race:  Gratite Bay Triathlon September 25!

The Happiest Race on Earth (15)

Labor Day, September 4 brought to Anaheim in order to do the Disneyland Half Marathon, better known as the Happiest Race on Earth!  Sara, Rose, and Theresa (Rose's Mom) also took part in this race!

We got up before 4 to head to the race for a 6 o'clock start time.


Snow White is getting ready to head out of the parking structure!



We found six of the seven dwarfs...Sleepy was still at the hotel....sleeping!

We headed out of the parking structure and into Disney.  2 years ago, Sara had convinced Rose and I to do this race with her, and two years ago we all completed the race, mostly without training.  My finishing time was 3:03, and I was set to beat that time.
We took advantage of the pre-race massage to help us loosen up before the race began.

Rose, me, and Sara ready to get to running! 

In our corral waiting for the other groups to start!

We headed to the corrals and soon realized this race had definitely grown in the two years since we had first completed it.  There were so many people around and ready to compete!

The race began and we were off.  I soon lost Rose and Sara, but I was running steady with Theresa.  When I passed the part of the first mile where last time "I had to tie my shoe"  I realized it wasn't that far into the race, I was proud of myself for how far I had come because I was still running steady.  I ran most of the first three miles, and right before I hit the three mile marker, I felt a slap on my butt!  There was Sara! 

Sara and I at the Mile 3 marker!  I didn't expect that to happen!

I ran most of the rest of the race, as the race was going I was reminiscing about the parts of the races where last time I wanted to give up and stop.  I was going steady and I was proud.  As I entered Angels Stadium at just under 2 hours, I was filled with another burst of energy, and knew I only had a few more miles to go since I was almost at mile 10. 
Mile 12-13 took forever!   I felt like I was never going to get to the Finish Line!  It was a different mile than I had remembered, and just felt like it kept going and going.  When I finally saw the finish line coming I was overjoyed! 
I crossed the line at 2:51!  I had beaten my time by 12 minutes!  Although I did not set a PR I was feeling great and had achieved something just as great as an overall PR, a race PR!

We did it!!

After the race was over Sara and I headed back to the hotel to get ready to go into Disneyland, and Rose went to check on her mom to make sure she was alright!

Disneyland Half was fun!  Next Disney race Goofy Challenge!!!

My shirt and medal!

Next race: Tri for Real Pleasanton September 18