Miami Halloween Half 2016

I had originally planned my second half marathon to be the Everglades half. However, after I signed up I had the chance to go to Ecuador. Obviously, Ecuador won so I wanted to run a different half. I found the Miami Halloween Half, which was the weekend before I flew to Ecuador.

Training was HOT. I was sweating all through October due to the high humidity and temperatures. It was frustrating to see my times get slower, until it cooled down (a little) and I could see the fruits of my labors.

I found out I was pregnant the Monday before my Saturday race. That made me so nervous. I knew I had bad morning sickness last time, and I was worried about staying hydrated and not letting myself get too hungry on the course.
 I was able to choke down a granola bar (barely) before my race. I had a couple packs of peanut m&m's in my water bottle belt, for some quick sugar fuel.
The first few miles were rough. I felt so sick, and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish. Luckily the biggest bridge was at the beginning of the race, instead of the end like last time.

 We got to run by the giant cruise ships.

 I wanted to film my run the entire time. I was so nostalgic, knowing it was one of my last times running by the beach like this. We got to run on the Miami Beach boardwalk, which is really beautiful.

Once I hit about mile 5, for some reason my body just kicked into gear. I guess this is what they call a "runner's high". I made sure to stop at every drink station, but other than that I didn't walk until mile 12.5.
As I came around the corner to the end, I saw Brandon, Grant and Cora waiting there for me. I almost cried, knowing I had totally killed my other PR time. Luckily, Brandon got a play by play of me coming in and seeing my reaction to my time.

 wait for it...

 wait for it...

 THERE! I ran it in 2:48, which was 39 minutes faster than my other half marathon time. A full half hour faster! I don't think I'll ever get a PR by that margin again, but it sure felt sweet.

 My smallest cheerleader. It was windy and cold.

 Grant got to be there just before his flight.

 We then went to drop Grant off at the airport, and I ate 3 burritos from Taco Bell. I was starving.
The best part? I had a perfect Halloween costume!

I finally got my official pictures. Last time my smiling pictures were fake, but this time it was total happiness.

I'm already planning to run another half... once I can run again.

Grant's Visit, October 2016

The last week of October, Grant came out to visit for a med school interview. We are always more than happy to help a visitor, as long as they don't mind sleeping on an air mattress.

 Grant had 2 goals- nail his interview and become friends with Cora. The day his interview, we went to Key Biscayne for a walk around the lighthouse.

  We got to go up to the top of the lighthouse, but when the guard wouldn't let Cora in Grant and I just went up by ourselves. I was a little miffed, but once we got to the top I saw why. It was WINDY and not very safe for little people to walk around.

 Brandon and Cora just loved having a beach to run around on. Since we didn't have that right by our apartment!

 We got to go to our Halloween party that night. Unfortunately for Cora, Brandon and I started painting our faces when she was napping. So she was kind of shocked when she woke up and had 2 sugar skulls as parents when she woke up. 

 Cora was a good sport about getting her face painted!

 Grant was a Wiggle. It worked well with our costumes.

We were happy to have Grantie come stay with us!