Fontana Days Half Marathon

Everything fell into place the week before this race and I knew I could have a great race. I didn't do any intervals or tempo runs or much speed work at all in my training, just cranked out a lot miles on the treadmill mixed with some longer runs on Saturday. I was confident I was more fit than last year and could beat my time of 1:30.

I warmed up 2.00 miles up the road, nice and easy. It was cool at the start and I got off the bus with more than an hour before the race started, so I was ready to warm up literally. Warming up pays off and half a mile up the road was an empty campground with lots of open bathrooms. Beats waiting twenty plus minutes at the port a potties.

Got lined up and once the gun went off I saw 5-6 girls dash out in front of me. I wanted to start conservative, and aim for a 1:25 pace (6:30). I ended up running next to a girl and noticed she had on an Ogden Half Marathon shirt. What a small world! Ran with her for 5ish miles and then slowly left her behind and started picking off each girl in front of me.

By mile 7 I was in second place, with 1st place a good quarter mile ahead, but I was gaining on her. By mile 8 she was standing on the side of the road cramped up.

Once I took the lead my adrenaline took over and I just kept cranking out the miles. I had a biker who stayed with me because I was the lead girl, and he kept my updated on who was behind me, and how far. By mile 10 it was obvious that I was going to win, as long as nothing crazy happened. I had no idea what time I was going to finish at, but knew I was still consistently under 1:25 pace.

The last mile I was starting to get fatigued, but the crowds pulled me in and I finished in 1:23:35. My best half is 1:22:59 (Ogden Half 2007), but this race was at sea level so I have to factor that in as well, yet I do feel like it is a bit harder course than Ogden. 

It was so fun to be fit again! I haven't won a big race since having kids, and hadn't run under a 1:30 half marathon since having kids either. Which means it has been almost 7 years! I know with some speedwork I can still see improvements. So exciting.

Not sure what my next race will be, but I need to get signed up for something to keep me motivated. I have been looking at a few halfs and fulls this fall. In California, you could pretty much find a race every weekend if you wanted. And I won $150- which should pay for this race and my next race! And they gave me 3 medals: 1 for finishing, 1 for winning, and 1 for winning my age group.

Splits: 6:16, 6:28, 6:27, 6:24, 6:19, 6:21, 6:23, 6:17, 6:14, 6:24, 6:23, 6:28, 6:20, 6:04 pace (last .14)

First Tooth Gone and Fieldtrip

 Cameron decided to pull Aubrey's tooth Saturday evening so the tooth fairy could come before he headed to Ohio for the month. Aubrey thought he was just looking at her tooth, and was a bit surprised when he pulled it, but she was so excited! The tooth fairy brought her a new toothbrush and $1. 

Earlier that day Cameron had to head to the school for a bit, so I looked up what was going on in Redlands and there was a Bike Safety event that I decided to take the girls to. They got to get their helmets checked and fitted (they gave Aubrey a brand new one since she had outgrown her last one!), checked their bikes, and put them through a safety course. Then they got to go on a 1 mile bike ride around town. Ada is our bike rider, and she loved racing through the safety course and on the ride. She even took a few corners too fast and tipped over, and jumped back up and got going again. She really cruises!

 There was also a booth set up that did the girls hair. 

And we had a little Father's Day celebration with cupcakes before Daddy said goodbye. 

Penny pigtails. 

 

On Wednesday I got to go with Aubrey on her school fieldtrip. It was about a 40 minute drive to the Fingerprints Museum. Once we were there they locked all the doors and just let the kids run around. I really didn't know what to do with myself besides roam around and take pictures. It was fun to see Aubrey playing with her friends. It was more of a free play than a learning field trip, but they all had fun. 

Her favorite was the rock wall

 And the crutches!

 Aubrey's class!

 

The bus rides both ways were noisy! Aubrey got pretty silly on the way home with her friend Emily. 

 

Toothless!

 

Not sure where they learned the peace signs. 

 

 

And my great friend Caitlyn watched Penny and Ada all morning so that I could go. They had a great time with their friends and everyone was worn out the rest of the day!

 

 

And one last picture of this Blackberry girl!