My First Half Marathon: Go Girl Run Half Marathon And Family Vacation 2016 Recap

I DID IT! I still can't believe it and it's been a little over two weeks since my first half marathon experience. I am definitely dealing with some post half marathon and vacation blues.

We decided to make a weekend family vacation out of it and it was THE BEST! We had so much fun. We only wished that we could have stayed longer. We debated staying another day, so that we didn't have to drive back the same day as the half marathon, but we decided to suck it up and get back home that night. Next time we will stay longer. I had such a good time that I am wanting to do the Go Girl Run Half again next year if the medals are just as awesome and make another weekend trip out of it with my family and some friends.

Thursday night the week of the half, I packed everything and I made sure I didn't forget my supplement bag filled with NOW Foods supplements, which consisted of Electro Endurance, Omega 3 Mini Gels, Joint Support, Branched Chain Amino Acid Powder, Liquid Melatonin, and Magnesium and Calcium. I used all of these supplements throughout my training. I only used the liquid melatonin when needed for troubled nights. 

👜 I leave at 7 AM tomorrow. And the packing begins.... @nowfoodsofficial supplements ✔ Just a little peek in my supplements bag. Powered and fueled by #nowfoods #nowsports #nowwellness

A photo posted by Huff 'n Puff to Buff 'n Tough (@huffnpuff2buffntough) on Sep 1, 2016 at 7:49am PDT

We stayed at Coco Key Water Resort in Kansas City. It was a fun and comfortable stay. My daughter had a blast at the water park. It was her first time at a water park. She loved every minute of it.

Our first night at the hotel was nice. After getting settled in we spent some time at the water park, went to the store to pick up a few items and dinner from Denny's. I took a nice warm bath after dinner and that concluded the first day.

The next day was planned full. It was our last full day there and we wanted to explore Kansas City a bit, but didn't have time to do everything we wanted to do.

We woke and went to the water park for about an hour. We got dress and headed out for the day. I had to attend the Go Girl Run Prairefire expo to get my race packet.

Never in my life did I ever think I'd be standing here getting ready to attempt my first half marathon tomorrow. It was a dream and goal of mine that I had throughout my weight loss and fitness journey. A dream that is about to come true and a goal that is about to be accomplished upon finishing and hopefully I do finish.

A photo posted by Huff 'n Puff to Buff 'n Tough (@huffnpuff2buffntough) on Sep 3, 2016 at 4:05pm PDT

It gave us the chance to explore Prairiefire, which was nice. It was a beautiful area. It was kind of like an outdoor mall and entertainment area. It reminded me of the outdoor malls in my area, only better!

It had a beautiful trail, a museum, and apartment complexes on the premises. Overland Park, KS is a gorgeous area! Insane gigantic houses, nice trail systems, and it doesn't seem overcrowded. Most people seemed friendly and we really loved that. You don't get that a lot from my area and it's sad. I really liked it there.

The night before my half I decided to take a nice warm epsom salt bath. I had never taken a salt bath before and I really feel that it helped my slightly sore muscles, which were caused by climbing and walking across nets at the water park for the past two days.

The half marathon course was pretty challenging. I loved it! It was very hilly and I wasn't expecting it until I was told by past participants that it was hilly with rolling hills. This time around I was able to keep my muscle cramps under control. I still got them, but they weren't as severe and they were very manageable. I cannot pinpoint what exactly it was that helped this time around, but I guess I can say that it was a bunch of things all rolled into one. 

The weather was nice! It was cool, cloudy, the sun barely made an appearance except at the start of the race at sunrise, which was nice. I was taking my energy gels like normal although I started getting stomach upset towards the end of the race this time around. I took my electrolyte chews, which was new and different because I usually take the pills, but I hate swallowing pills during a race and I don't think it did anything for me. I love the chews a lot more and they are tasty! I also took mustard packets - advice from a facebook follower. If you are reading this.... THANK YOU FOR THAT!! 

I think that was another thing that helped me keep my cramps at bay. I took one every time I felt one coming on and it would go away within a few minutes, or the cramp would stick around for a little while longer, but wouldn't get severe. The porta potty breaks were nice and I felt really helped my legs recover a bit as well. I also feel like the extra stretching in the weeks before and the salt bath the night before helped, so like I said... I can't really pinpoint exactly what helped the cramps remain at the low levels that they did. I am just happy that they did and definitely made for a less miserable race and experience. 

Truckin' along, but still happy at mile 10 or 11.

At mile 13, which was right around the corner from the finish line, I met up with Jeremy and Harlie Jade. I was super happy to see them. I thought I would have met up with them on another part of the course between miles 6-8 to keep me company for a bit and my mind off of the pain and cramps, but they had trouble getting to another part of the course.

 

Approaching the finish line!

Check out my Instagram post talking about this photo HERE.

After crossing the finish line, I collected my amazingly huge beautiful medal, finisher wine glass, and my finisher's certificate. However, I was not able to get my certificate because they told me the timer broke or something along the lines of that and it would be mailed to me. I haven't received it yet. I was really bummed to be leaving without one, but oh well. 

After the race, we explored around the Prairiefire area and took pictures. Afterwards, we headed back to the car where we were spoiled with nice views while changing and getting ready for the long drive back home and I recovered with my favorite sports energy and recovery drink from NOW Sports - Electro Endurance. I am so glad I had this on hand and part of my training. This stuff is the real deal! I took it before my race and after.  

Recovering on the parking garage rooftop with my favorite NOW Sports endurance and recovery drink - Electro Endurance.

I am already addicted to 13.1. I think it is a great distance and I see many many more in my future including the Chicago Half Marathon this Sunday and an attempt at my first full marathon in a couple of years. I have a very special plan for that, which will include Hawaii where my weight loss and fitness journey started and the Honolulu Marathon. I am shooting for the 2018 Honolulu Marathon. If the finances and funding are not there then I'll shoot for 2019.





Disclosure: I have received NOW product as part of my ambassadorship with NOW. I value authenticity and honesty, all thoughts and opinions are and will always be my own.

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