8 Mile Club!

So, about 6-8 months ago (can't remember exactly) Tyler and I decided for some reason that it would be cool to sign up for a half marathon run...so we did.  On December 4, 2011, we'll participate in the White Rock Half Marathon!  I never would have believed it, but Tyler was determined to do more, be better at, to start exercising, so we paid the fee and started training for our very own 13.1. 

Yesterday, Tyler and I finished our first 8 mile run!  It's crazy to think that just a few weeks ago we were so proud of a 4 mile run.  The conditions couldn't have been better either!  The weather was great, the sun was shining (the tank was clean...can anyone name that movie?!) and we finished just before dinner.  Usually these are not the circumstances under which we run.  There are some cons to training in Arkadelphia:

Exhibit A:



There are hills...EVERYWHERE! 

Hills SUCK!

You can't run in Arkadelphia without running up or down a hill...it's...impossible.

Exhibit B:

The roads, sidewalks, and trails are not extremely well kept.  This means there are bumps and potholes, and cracks always in the sidewalk...if there is a sidewalk...sometimes there isn't one, and we have to run on the shoulder of the road.

Exhibit C:

We usually end up running when it's dark.  If we run, we usually do it after Tyler gets home from work, and that means 5:30-6:00 usually.  At that point it's dinner time, and then we have to wait for our food to settle before running.  That means we don't start running until 7:00ish...and it's dark. 

Exhibit D:

There aren't a lot of street lights.  Add to this fact that it's night, on a poorly paved road/sidewalk, and we're running up and down hills...it's no good!

So thankfully, everything was on our side for this past run...maybe that's why we were able to run the full 8 miles.  It may have also had something to do with the fact that our last 1/2 mile was on campus during a pep rally and the band was playing "Eye of the Tiger" as we were crossing our designated finish line.  I couldn't help myself, you know I pumped my arms in the air..."It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight.  Rising up to the challenge of our rival.  And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night. And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger."