My 1st Half Marathon

13.1 miles is a long, long distance in my world. For those who are unfamiliar, the Salt Lake Half Marathon takes you all over Salt Lake - starting at the Legacy Bridge up at the U, then along Foothill to Sugarhouse Park, then clear over to 2700 S., then it winds back going through Liberty Park, along State st., down South Temple, finishing at the Gateway. It didn't really dawn on me how far it really is until race day and seeing all these different places. I can't even imagine running a full!
   
It was a beautiful day, cool, but full of sunshine. I finished in 2 hours 13 minutes. I kind of let off the gas when I knew I wasn't going to make it under 2 hours even though now I know that I can - so I may need to do another one. I was amazed at how great I felt along the way - mile 7 no prob, 8, 9 no problems, then it kind of caught up with me at mile ten, but I kept pushing. Things kept me going like the guy I was running behind for awhile who was wearing a shirt that read "Anyone who thinks winning isn't everything has never fought cancer" or another girl in a brilliant pink top that seemed to keep a steady pace with ease, and the people cheering along the street sides from beginning to end, which is more invigorating than I realized it would be and I deeply appreciated those cheers even if they weren't meant for me. All in all it was definitely worth it. I was so grateful that Jeremy was there at the finish line, capturing the moment. He's always so supportive and I can't thank him enough for that. 

For Those About to Rock...

Now depending on how well you know me, you can imagine my elation when I found out AC/DC was doing a world tour. Oh yes. That's right - AC/DC. I am fully aware that my taste for old, hard rock is seemingly odd (mostly considering my age), but I think that maybe I was just born in the wrong generation. I mean, honestly, who doesn't like to rock out to a little "Shoot to Thrill" or "You Shook Me All Night Long"? If you hesitated to agree with me, I definitely recommend that you try it on a regular basis. There's just something wonderfully exhilarating about the raw energy and power-driven chords. Also, just to prove I'm not crazy - their Back In Black album is the highest-selling album by any band ever, selling more than artists like Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Michael Jackson. 

Tickets were a good $200 - thank goodness because I had a much higher threshold, though Jer thought they were outrageously overpriced. And let me just say, it was worth every penny (and it was also worth the added deafening I sustained as a result). I soaked in every minute of an event that someone my age shouldn't be privileged enough to attend, with Brian Johnson up there screaming at the top of his lungs and gallivanting around the stage with the kind of swagger that only comes from 30 years worth of performances. Then Angus, one of the greatest guitarist of all time, stalking the stage with his wild, ridiculously high-energy, and of course his schoolboy-uniform and duck walk (you have to see it to know what I'm talking about). His solos were amazing, and I loved how he taunted the crowd to beg for more, raising one hand to his ear like "I can't hear you". And then the next thing you know he throws himself to the ground, kicking and spinning around in circles, while playing the guitar. What's there not to love? I thought it was surreal. They played every good song and then to top it off, you couldn't get a better encore - Highway to Hell & For Those About To Rock. Priceless.

Here we are, giddy with anticipation...

Robert Plant & Jimmy Page. Metallica. Guns N' Roses. AC/DC. My life is complete...