13.1 miles!

Well we did it and survied to tell about it! Last Saturday Steve and I both completed our very first half marathon..13.1 miles. Steve ran his in 2 hrs 25 mins and I was able to complete it in just barely over 3 hrs...3 hrs 2 mins. We both figured I would have ran it in 30 more mins than it actually took me, so coming in at that time I was ecstatic! A few highlights for me were:
- Running through downtown was really fun, there is so much to see. Kansas City really is a great town.
- The beginning few hills were quite a site, thousands of people running at one time is such a thing to see
- I made myself an acquaintance to run with the first 8 miles. This helped out a lot. We chatted and kept each other going.
- There were bands playing along parts of the route that kept it fun and exciting.
- I got to mile 10 and someone had candy they were giving out! The Skittles I took got me through the next mile or two.
- Seeing Steve close to the finish line cheering for me and so happy for me that I was still running was really awesome.
- I was able to continue running till the end of the race. I calculated that I probably walked a total of 30 to 40 mins the whole time. So 2 1/2 hrs running..that's a long time!

Chewie wearing my bib number and wondering why we are up so dang early on a Saturday!

Steve and I before the race. It was dark out still and raining!

Me waving to Steve and some of our friends...almost to the finish line!

My Final Stats:

Track Us

This Saturday Steve and I are running in the Kansas City Half Marathon. Below is a link to a site where you can track how we are doing by text message or email. I thought I would send it out in case anyone was interested in seeing how we are doing or how we did.

http://tracking.theendresultco.com/2009/kc/index.php

Look for Steve to do really well, but don't be surprised to see my time between 3 and 4 hours long. I didn't end up training like I should have for this, but you know I was busy planning a wedding. :) My goal is not based on time really, but just to finish the race at all. I know I have the ability to run half of the distance. it is going to be the second half that I will have to push through (a half is 13.1 miles). Wish us luck!

Name Change

Taking a half day of work today to start on changing my name. :) I am leaving at lunch time to head to the social security office and the dmv to get the process of changing everything from Sarah James to Sarah Kozlen. To prepare for this I spent some time yesterday practicing writing my new name out. hehe

Preview

Our photographer sent me the following picture from the wedding. Steve and I love it, so I thought I would share it with all of you. Enjoy!

Errands

We got in to St Louis late last night. Today we woke up and got right to some wedding errands. Including going to the St Louis County City Hall to get out marriage license!

Just one step closer to getting married! :)

Last Day!

Today is my last day of work for a week and a half. Five o'clock cannot come soon enough. I am so excited to get on the road and be in St. Louis. Yesterday, at work, I went to our regular Monday morning "stand up" meeting and they surprised me with a cake. It was so unexpected and nice. A lot of people had also signed a card with lots of really nice things and advice. I had no idea anything was going on. So nice of everyone. Well I better get back to work so 5 gets here quicker. :)

Sneak Peek!

4 1/2 more days to the wedding! :) I thought I would give you all a little taste of what is to come. Nothing is too revealing I think. Here is just a little of what I, along with the help of others, have been working hard on over the last few months. I can't wait to see how it all comes together!