Salt Lake City Half Marathon

So my friend Katherine and I decided to sign up for the Salt Lake Half Marathon which was held on April 20th, 2013.  As in 5 weeks away from our last race.  Bring it on.

Katherine and I decided to train together.  I got a running schedule from my former cross country coach with a goal time of 1:45.  Katherine and I supported each other during the week, but on Thursdays we ran together.  Every Thursday we ran a 6 mile Fartlek.  We both believed this was the reason we did so well in the actual race.

On race day, the rain poured.  I was soaked the entire run, but it was a BLAST.  It wasn’t too cold once I got running.  I loved it.  The course wasn’t too bad either.  When we got to the start, we tried to move up as much as we could.  I could see the 1:45 pacer not too far ahead of us.  That was where I needed to be.  Keep the pacer in view.  And I did just that.

I ran with such strength.  I could see the pacer the whole time and that boosted my confidence.  Then at one point my stomach started to not feel so great and I got worried.  I was scared that this would ruin the entire race for me.  I still ran though and breathed.  I got through it and I am so grateful I didn’t have to walk.  I kept running.  

I had one more mile left and I was struggling.  I could feel myself slowing down a little.  Then I felt a little pat on my back.  My friend Katherine had caught up and was there to push me to run harder.  It was like we were back on our Thursday run pushing each other to run faster.  By the end we were both sprinting and finished together.  That is a true friend.

As we finished, we put out hands over our hearts for those affected by the Boston Marathon Bombing.  This was particularly close to me because I went to school in Boston and would watch the end of the marathon while I was out there.  I also had a lot of friends who were still there, and luckily none of them were around when the bomb went off.  Boston Strong.

And now the part you’ve all been waiting for.  What was my time?

1:46

Not only did I beat my dad’s top time for a half (which has always been my goal), but I cut off another 6 isn minutes from my last half marathon!  I’d say that’s a pretty big deal.  I was thrilled and the feeling of accomplishment overcame my freezing body.  The rain, the course, my home town, and my best friend.  This was quite the half marathon.  

So what’s next?  A rest.  But stayed tuned.  I’ll never stop running.

Runaway Girl

Tiegan Hatch

Bib Number: 2643

Time: 1:46.48

Age group (19-24 Female) Place: 15th

Overall Place: 319/3118