I totally did not expect to do that well in the Laguna Hills Half Marathon today. And I certainly did not think I was going to PR, but sometimes all the stars align and the running gods God feels sorry for you and throws you a bone.
Thank you Baby Jesus I need this – Laguna Hills Half Marathon 1:47:04 
I guess the main reason I didn’t expect to rock this race was that I only signed up because I got a free entry from my running group. Oh, and it was basically down the street from my house. I figured it was free and I didn’t have to go out of my way at all – so I didn’t really prepare for it.
I did my usual pre-run rituals…
Yes, this one too 
I saw Sarah from Once Upon a Lime in the porta potty line and we both are running another half in 5 days. We agreed that we should take this race easy and “save our legs” for the Saturday race. Well, I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain.
Note the hesitant smile, I never know how my body is actually going to feel once it starts running. Sometimes my body likes to remind me that it is built for bearing children, not moving quickly.
Per usual, I started out way too fast. But, unlike usual I was able to keep it up. Normally always my legs realize they are moving at speeds more appropriate for someone 2/3 my size and promptly hit a wall to show me who’s boss. Well today my pain receptors were on vacation (probably a Memorial Day road trip) and never realized this.
I glanced down at my Garmin and realized I could PR so I broke my “I’m running this one conservatively” promise and kept at it. 
Yes! A new Half Marathon PR – 1:47:04
My previous PR was from Rock N Roll Phoenix at 1:49:28
I’m really happy sweaty here…
I grabbed some oranges and a water post race.
Then, headed to the shuttles to get back to my car. Ben didn’t come to this race since it was so close and he had to work. 
But, it was no biggie since Laguna Hills offered fancy shuttles back to your car!
I also scored 2 chocolate chip cookies from the Corner Bakery booth at the post race festivities. 
I didn’t have any ice to do an ice bath and tried to compromise with ice packs. It didn’t get the water cold enough. Oh well, I tried.
Post race meal – pumpkin, carrot cake yogurt, chia seeds, Vitatop and Barney Butter. It’s no post-race brunch, but was still pretty amazing.
I’m headed to my mom’s because she wants to go shopping – who am I to turn that down? See ya later 
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh wow! Good job on your race. That’s awesome.
Um you are a BAMF.
Congratulations, great race!!!!
<3
n
Great job on the PR!! Maybe that’s what you need, no pressure at all and then you area speed demon!
HUGE PR! Awesome! Also – carrot cake yogurt!?
Yeah, it’s some carb master store brand kind Carrot Cake yogurt. It’s not amazing, but good when you mix it with pumpkin.
congratulations! i’m glad that you ran so well – just adding to the confidence bank!
ps – did you know there’s a “thump queen” (the queen at this watermelon festival in texas). i nominate you! but i want to be a princess!
Ha! Never heard of a thump queen!
Congratulations Monica! Great time!
I’m working on a PR for a 5k – pace runs and sprints scare me, but I’ve got to get over it if I want to eventually qualify for Boston!
I with they had a better selection of Vitatops in Canada…I have desert envy…
Congratulations on an awesome job! You should be so proud of yourself
Get it gurllllllllll!
That is a GREAT time! Congratulations girlie!
Grats on the PR!!!
congrats!! I ran that race a few years ago, it’s not an easy course
what a perfect day! congrats on the PR – that is when running is best, when you go in relaxed, have fun….and knock off a super time! then cookies + shopping – life does not get better!
Congrats on the PR! I love when everything falls into place during a race. It doesn’t happen often (at least not for me!) which makes it so much sweeter. Enjoy that post-race high!
You are awesome, Monica!
I just love when all the stars align and you have a great race like that. Major congrats on the PR!
Congrats on the PR!! You are seriously bad azz.
Own your Badassness. You rule!!!!
awesome job on the pr! what half are you running this weekend?
Awesome job on your race!! That’s a great time!!
Awesome! COngrats!!! Now rest up for the next one, eek! Plus the cookies look awesome, i really wanted cookies after my race and no go
, should have planned ahead, good thinking!
congrats on the PR! that froyo looks DELICIOUS!!!
Congrats!! That is awesome. I admire you for running long distances. I ran my first 5K today and it was tough. I can’t imagine a half. Way to go!
So awesome! You must be on cloud 9!
Monica, that is so awesome girl!! Congrats! It always happens when you least expect it!! So proud and excited for you
That’s a hell of a PR! I don’t even think I can run one mile at that pace
CONGRATS girl!! That is so awesome when GREAT races happen when you don’t expect them! Yayyyy
Great job Monica! That’s like Speedy McSpeederson! Seriously, nice race!
I never had a chance to tell you, but it was great meeting you at FitBloggin’. It was a bummer we didn’t get a chance to talk some more, but I guess that’s how it goes. Those conferences always pass too damn fast!
AWESOME!!! Tell those pain receptors to take a permanent vacay
Congrats to you!!! Sometimes you just have to go for it! You listened to your body!! Great job!
Congrats on the PR!!!! AMAZING
CONGRATULATIONS! Seriously amazing time. So glad you had a great race. You’re a rock star.
Great job!!!
Congratulations Monica! sub 4-hr marathon here we come. maybe the trick is no training / no stressing?
Congrats! Glad your race went well. I could never do the ice bath thing. I tried taking just a cold bath once and I was done after about 30 seconds. Being cold is NOT for me!
you ROCKED that race! way to go! I love when I don’t anticipate a super speedy run and my body chooses otherwise
Congrats on your PR!! It is always awesome to surprise yourself!
Congrats on your PR!! YAY!!
I think the pre-race day cookies had something to do with it….! No joke…talk about proper carb loading!
i dream of one day running a sub-2 hr. half. amazing job, monica! so exciting!
Great job girl! Awesome time.
Congratulations! I like your shirt, I have the same one!
Congrats!!! That’s an amazing time! That’s a whole hour faster than my PR. HAHA awesome job!
Congrats on your PR! You totally killed it out there