Painters Half-Marathon

I've been training for the Half-Marathon, but only inside because I am a pansy for the cold and it has been quite cold. I have been smart about my training, making sure I am eating healthy and taking my vitamins, etc. and trying to get at least 6 hours of sleep. I love running in the Cardio Cinema at Gold's Gym because I can run for two hours while I watch a movie and just get lost in the movie and not think about me running. Also, it is dark and no one can watch me run!
So, the Half-Marathon was to be on Saturday and the Sunday night before I start feeling terrible. I go to bed early, thanks to Kade, and hope if I get some extra sleep I can feel great the next morning and continue some training for a few more days then take it easy Thursday and Friday before the race. Monday morning I feel horrible. I am out on the couch or in my bed all day. I have the body aches, sweats/chills, my throat hurts and my tonsils are like golf balls. I am sure I have strep throat again! This is just like what happened before the Triathlon in November. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I get a blessing Monday from Kade and my Father-in-law Brian and I am feeling optimistic. Tuesday morning I realize I need some medicine too if I'm going to get to run the race on Saturday. I go make my sub. notes for two days and head to see Dr. Stratford, my doctor.
Dr. Stratford confirmed that I had strep and the nurse gave me a big ol' "peanut butter" type shot in the bumb specific for strep. I am sure with the blessing I was treated properly and I will use good judgement to allow myself to get better so I went home and slept for the rest of the day. Wednesday I started feeling better. I felt good enough to carry out my big Activity Day activity that evening and went to bed early. My house is a disaster because I haven't cleaned in many days, but I don't care. Thursday I feel great I go to work. That evening I ran for half an hour and felt good. Friday I ran for fourty-five minutes and it felt great! I am set for the race the next day!
THE RACE: Things went well. It had rained for most of the week and it was suppose to continue to rain during the race, but I'm sure with the 2000 people running all our prayers were heard and the rain didn't come. It was cold, but it was a great race. I was coveting people's water because I trained with water, but didn't run the race with water. (I will run the next race with water.) I finished the race at 2 hours and 22 minutes. I am not unhappy with that. My brother Chad ran it also but we never saw each other except at the end. He came in twelve minutes before I did. After the race I froze. It was about thirty-eight degrees and I just froze up. It took me a good hour in a hot shower to warm up and then I felt great. I took a little nap later that day and did some stretching and felt wonderful! I will definitely run another half marathon, either the Hurricane Half or the Bryce Canyon Half. This will help me get ready for the St. George Marathon.