You belong among the wildflowers, You belong in a boat out at sea.

You belong with your love on your arm. You belong somewhere you feel free.

Completely sums up the feeling I have for turning 30 and the wonderful weekend I had!

Maple Candy and hot pink compression socks. Awesome.

Saturday morning I woke up at 3:30am for my time trial after not sleeping very well Friday night. Coach told me to treat my time trial as a race, and boy, did my mind do that. I was just as nervous! I knew that it would be hard, and I seriously doubted I could pull off sub-6 minute miles for 13.1 without having race competition and race adrenaline.

At the finish on the reservation.

We met up at 5am,  warmed up and got going. I ran in the outfit I will wear for Chicago. The course had a net downhill of 300 feet which made me feel a bit more optimistic of hitting my splits. Once the sun came out though, it got hot, hot, hot.

I was hurtin' for certain.

John paced me through all 13.1 miles and Matt handed me water every few miles.

I have to say, it was one of the most mentally challenging things I have ever done. Knowing that I technically *could* stop because it is not a *real race* was starting to wear down my mental toughness. But, I didn't stop at all and ran 13.1 miles in 1:17:49. A new half marathon PR for me!! I wish it was a real race so I could actually claim it as a PR! I was ECSTATIC to know that I could run that time in a training run.  I really needed that confidence boost going into Chicago.

Coach plugged in my time/elevation chart/temperature to a running calculator and it said that without elevation change, my time compared to a 1:18:26. But, had it been 60 degrees or cooler outside, my time equates to a 1:15:18. So I feel really good knowing I can run somewhere in between.

Following the time trial, we stopped home to shower/change and Matt gave me my presents! A new Flipped Bird Bag, and 2 boxes of my favorite maple syrup candy. However, it should not be called candy as maple syrup is one of the main food groups. My friend Don also sent me 2 boxes. *heaven*

Matt and I went to the Phoenix Farmer's Market. We walked around, got some breakfast and coffee. We drove around and enjoyed downtown Phoenix for a little bit and headed to my favorite spot Postino for lunch. I had their amazing Italian Picnic salad (with beets!) and a mimosa to celebrate my run.

Still looking a little drained from the morning! Note- new bag!!

Black race nail polish for toughness! I also have on my r,w,and b bracelet to remind me to stay focused on Chicago! (well, ok, maybe not that day)

After Postino, we headed to Four Peaks to watch our ASU SunDevils lose very unfairly to the Badgers.

Following the game, I was able to squeeze in a 30 minute nap before heading to 5th and Wine to have dinner with my friends. I was SO happy to see everyone. It made me feel so great to have so many show up. I just love my friends so much. At about 10pm (2 hours past my bedtime, party animal, I know) I could barely keep my eyes open so we headed home. Matt had one more present for me when I arrived home- 2 tickets to see TOM PETTY next Sunday night. I am SO, SO excited.

It was a wonderful weekend and I could not have dreamed of anything better. Big things are coming, I just know it!

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me
Far away from your trouble and worry
You belong somewhere you feel free
You belong somewhere you feel free

There’s something good coming, there has to be…

Wow, I will be 30 years old in 5 days. I remember back in high school thinking 30 was ANCIENT!! It is funny when you are a kid how you think by the time you are 30 you will be married, have children, live in a perfect little house (or big one!) Never, ever, ever, did I think this is what I would be doing at 30 years old. I HATED running in high school, the 12 minute mile test was extremely difficult!  Now I look back wishing I did run in high school rather than spend my time getting into trouble! But, anywho,  here I am, following a dream and a talent I didn't even know I had until a few years ago. It is funny the way life can completely turn tables on you!

Looking to 30 got me thinking about all of the great people I am blessed to have in my life.

I feel super blessed to have a wonderful husband who supports my dreams, who doesn't mind holding off on having children, who doesn't mind that our perfect little house is not always the cleanest little house due to my time spent running, working, and trying to get some rest in! Going to sleep at 8pm and waking up a 4am does not equate to a very exciting social life! He doesn't even grumble when I have to order yet ANOTHER pair of shoes. I feel blessed to have a wonderful family who is so encouraging and tells me how proud they are of me.  I feel blessed to have friends that are so supportive and ask about my races and try to make plans to come across country to see me race. Wow. I am one lucky gal.

I feel good saying good-bye to my 20's. It was a decade of severe ups and downs. I learned a lot, and I feel like I finally know who I am. My 20's were a very confusing time for me to say the least.

Looking ahead to my 30th year, I know it will be a good one. I feel like there are good things coming. I feel happy, and hopeful, and determined. I feel healthy and feel like I finally know my body and  feel comfortable in my own skin.

So this is it. My last blog post in my 20's. I bid them farewell and am not looking back. My next blog post will be all about the weekend ahead. I have a time trial half marathon on Saturday and then it will be time to celebrate! Until then, good-bye 20's, its been a helluva ride!