Learning
8.12.2010
Run. then Run harder.
I have always wanted to do a 1/2 marathon. Well, maybe not always, but certainly since marrying into a crazed running family. Twice I've trained for a 1/2 marathon and twice I've gotten pregnant, thinking I would be able to continue training. Twice I was wrong. But not this year. 
Last winter, I decided that starting in January, I would begin a serious training program. I was already running several times a week and was up to 5 or 6 miles, so it was a great time to start adding miles gradually, so I signed up for the Salt Lake City Half Marathon held mid-April. 
Training in the cold and windy winter and early spring months wasn't ideal and there were many days I didn't want to run, and there were some days that I didn't run. But more often than not, I laced up my runners and with the support of my husband, I just bit the bullet and went out and did it.
Everyone says you run your first race just to finish, but I couldn't be satisfied with that. I'm too competitive. It must come from all those years of running cross-country and track. So I set a goal. First it was finish in under 2 hours. Then it was to finish in 1:51:00. With my husband, children, Mom, and sisters waiting for me at the finish line I came in at 1:50:07!
I was proud of my training. I never hit the wall. I was proud of my determination. It got me up that killer State Street hill at the very end of the race. I was proud of my 8:24 minute splits. I had done it. But what meant the most to me was seeing my husband, my boys, my Mom, my sisters, Cory, Jolea, Kelsey & Carrie all there cheering me on at the end. 
They believed in me and were there to support me in my first big race since high school. My Mom said that watching it all brought back so many memories of coming to endless cross country meets and track meets. It was so nice to see her there at the finish, just as she had been so many times before. 
Determined not to let all that training go to waste, I had no choice but to sign up for another 1/2 marathon. August 7th, 2010. Provo River 1/2 Marathon. It had been the race I had trained for twice before, and had to back out of both times. It was the first 1/2 Marathon I had ever observed. It Ryan's first 1/2 marathon. I was determined. So I kept training. Then summer came and so did family trips and outings and hot, hot weather. The whole month of July was pretty much spent between Utah and Idaho and I was lucky to get in 2 runs a week. I was looking for a way out. I didn't want to run. More than that, I didn't want the disappointment of not performing well. At the encouragement of my husband and my brothers-in-law, I decided to just do it. So Jeff and I loaded the bus at 5:00 am and we were on our way up the canyon. I decided to run as hard as I could for as long as I could. 
Surprisingly, it was working and I was holding a sub-8 min mile pace until I stopped for a drink at mile 10. Then my legs decided they had had enough and I literally felt like I couldn't get them going. I now knew what "hitting the wall" meant. It becomes all mental at that point because physically it's over. 3.1 miles became a game of one foot in front of the other, walk some run some. I was regretting not having kept my training up in the last month. I was paying for it. I even contemplated just walking those last 3 miles. But again perseverance prevailed and somehow I got my legs to trot it out. 
Again, there was my husband and my boys waiting for me. This time I felt drained and like I wanted to lay down and die. Then I looked at my watch...1:46:51! I had shaved almost 4 minutes off my time. I was ecstatic...then mad, realizing what I could have done had I not hit the wall at mile 10. But it was again, a great feeling of accomplishment.
Surprisingly, it was working and I was holding a sub-8 min mile pace until I stopped for a drink at mile 10. Then my legs decided they had had enough and I literally felt like I couldn't get them going. I now knew what "hitting the wall" meant. It becomes all mental at that point because physically it's over. 3.1 miles became a game of one foot in front of the other, walk some run some. I was regretting not having kept my training up in the last month. I was paying for it. I even contemplated just walking those last 3 miles. But again perseverance prevailed and somehow I got my legs to trot it out. Again, there was my husband and my boys waiting for me. This time I felt drained and like I wanted to lay down and die. Then I looked at my watch...1:46:51! I had shaved almost 4 minutes off my time. I was ecstatic...then mad, realizing what I could have done had I not hit the wall at mile 10. But it was again, a great feeling of accomplishment. 
I was glad that I did it all, but glad that it was over. My desire to keep training for the next race had diminished. I was ready to run for the fun of it again. Not to be tied to a training schedule for the first time in 9 months. I was ready to just go for a run...didn't matter how far or how fast. I will race again, but for now, I just want to run to feel good. 8.05.2010
$2 Tuesdays
Every year for the month of August, Thanksgiving Point holds $2 Tuesdays where admission to all the attractions is just $2! So we decided to take advantage of it before Carrie headed back and before the school year started. We hit the Dinosaur Museum and boy was it a hit. Max and Luke had never been and they loved it. They now have a newfound interest in dinosaurs! 
8.04.2010
Happy Birthday Jolea!
We were able to celebrate Jolea's birthday while Mom, Ashley, and Carrie were still around. Ryan came home early and surprised her and we were able to take her to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. It was super fun being with just the girls, little girls...and Cole! 
8.02.2010
Easton's Baptism
what a neat experience it has been to be able to attend the baptisms of both Ashtyn and Easton this summer! because baptisms happen so often here, it sometimes seems as though these very sacred and special events become somewhat of a routine occurance. i had not been to a baptism in years and the spirit was so very strong at both of these baptisms. i was moved to tears at both, something i had not anticipated. i was reminded of how very important that decision is and how very loving our Heavenly Father is to give us the most special and important gift we will ever receive in this lifetime, the Holy Ghost. 
i felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude that my neice and nephew, as well as my own children, will have this special gift to help guide them to truth in a world that wants to deceive them from every angle. sometimes you need these little reminders in your life to realize that you too have been blessed because you made that very important decision to be baptized and receive that special help from on high. i know both ryan and i were reminded by the very strong spirit that was there. 
8.01.2010
Hassman Family Photo Shoot
We decided to take advantage of the fact that we were all together and have a family photo taken at Wheeler Farm by my very talented friend Emily. It was quite possibly the hottest and certainly the most humid day of the year here. In fact, I had no idea that Utah could even hold that much moisture in the air. It was horrible. So horrible that poor little Seth just about passed out after about 20 minutes. Somehow, despite the elements, the distractions of geese and ducks flying all around us, and 18 very tired, hot and thirsty children, we got some pretty good pictures out of it all.
Gram and Max
My beautiful (and single) sister, Kelsey
My adorable family (some of them)
Nana & Luke
Why we opted not to have our family pics taken this day...good thing I have access to Emily anytime!
It has been almost 4 years since all eight of the Hassman kids and Mom have been together. The last time was Thanksgiving of 2006, when we made the trek to Gram's when I was 9 mos pregnant with Max. 
This time we were short only one in-law, Ashley's husband, Justin. We wish he could have come, but were so grateful that she and her 3 kids were able to come up this time! Gram was even able to come. Since most of us now live up north, we don't often get to be with Ashley's and Cory's families. 
While the rest of us get to see each other throughout the year, there always seems to be a hole, like we aren't complete. Granted, it was a madhouse of kids, crying, laughing, screaming, more laughing, and more crying...but we were all together. 
We were whole and it felt so good. It makes you realize what you are missing. After a few days in Utah we all went up to Mom's and spent a few days in Idaho.
Because Jolea, Ashley, Carrie, and I were all up there sans husbands, it was a little more difficult to rest and relax, but Cory's family sure did get to enjoy the Idaho outdoor adventure that lies just beyond Mom's property. I am really glad that they did too. 
It was just fun to sit around and observe all our kids, how they've grown, their different personalities, and our different personalities as well! I am glad that Gram was there and that somehow she was able to survive the craziness. 
Mom was a good sport to put all 20+ of us up and surprisingly, her house was still standing when we all left. She is the grandma to 18 and one-on-the way, so she was equipped with all things needed. What a time it was!
This time we were short only one in-law, Ashley's husband, Justin. We wish he could have come, but were so grateful that she and her 3 kids were able to come up this time! Gram was even able to come. Since most of us now live up north, we don't often get to be with Ashley's and Cory's families. While the rest of us get to see each other throughout the year, there always seems to be a hole, like we aren't complete. Granted, it was a madhouse of kids, crying, laughing, screaming, more laughing, and more crying...but we were all together. We were whole and it felt so good. It makes you realize what you are missing. After a few days in Utah we all went up to Mom's and spent a few days in Idaho. Because Jolea, Ashley, Carrie, and I were all up there sans husbands, it was a little more difficult to rest and relax, but Cory's family sure did get to enjoy the Idaho outdoor adventure that lies just beyond Mom's property. I am really glad that they did too. It was just fun to sit around and observe all our kids, how they've grown, their different personalities, and our different personalities as well! I am glad that Gram was there and that somehow she was able to survive the craziness. Mom was a good sport to put all 20+ of us up and surprisingly, her house was still standing when we all left. She is the grandma to 18 and one-on-the way, so she was equipped with all things needed. What a time it was!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
