So I ran a few miles...

And I got a medal for it.

Okay, so it was 13.1 miles, my half marathon. And I finished! So, pretty much, I'm awesome. Actually, I've spent many post race hours dissecting the race and what I thought and how I did- you know, trying to decide if what I did really was awesome. It is funny, people ask me, "How was it?" And I'm like, "I ran. For over 2 hours straight... it was pretty great!" So, here's how great it was, in no real organized fashion.

My two goals, not so ambitious, were, 1., run the whole way, (kind of a no-brainer) and, 2., finish in under two and a half hours. I reached both of the goals, so, unambitious or not, I feel pretty good about it. The race itself was challenging. Not the course, but the mileage, especially mile 11, was difficult. I knew it would be difficult, but I was slightly unprepared for the challenge that would be the difference between my longest pre-race run, 10.6 miles, and the race distance, 13.1. Those pesky 2.5 miles were hard. And I think, due to some over-tapering the week before the race, I was extremely sore afterwards. Also, I didn't stretch afterwards, which definitely did my body a disservice. At church the next day, several people asked, "how are you feeling today? sore?" And by saying, "I'm doing pretty good," I fooled pretty much everyone, except Megan, who plainly stated, (as in, it wasn't a question), "you're walking kinda funny." I appreciated the honesty. Because it was true. I was walking really funny. And true friends point that out for you.

My biggest disappointment about the race (besides the disgusting post-race food I waited in line forever for) was that my phone completely broke down on me, so, I had no music to listen to during the race, something, which I think, compounded the difficulty I had running it... I don't know about you, but I really like running to music, and am apt to think of the songs I run to as friends that uplift and encourage me while running. So to not have that was difficult. And a little bit boring. Also, because the speakers did not work on my phone, I couldn't receive phone calls from Chad to encourage and keep me going. On several pre-race long runs, he'd call and ask how I was doing and tell me various uplifting and rah-rah things which made me happy. So I was sad not to be able to chat with him. And so I think overall, because my music and Chad weren't speaking to me, I was a little bit lonely, despite the thousands of runners running ahead and behind and aside me.

Pre-Race: (Chad ran also, in the 5K, then waited around for about 2 hours until I finished, in the which time, he missed out on post-race kolaches they were handing out)



It was cold the morning of the race. It was like 50. It started at 7:00 and I ran with my friend Melanie for about 1 mile before I realized I was kind of slowing her down, so I told her to go ahead and she did, and I didn't see her again till the finish line.

This was about mile 10, and contrary to what it may look like, I was not using my hands as puppets to keep me company. Chad somehow guessed where I would be and came and found me. It was really good to see him. He got some serious husband bonus points. He then ran an additional 5K, of his own design, because he had walked over to the 10 mile point, so he had to run 3 miles back to the finish line to get back before I did.



This was my fan club, waiting for me at the finish line, complete with posters. They're cute, I'm telling you. I'll rent them out to you for a small fee. Aubrey was there, plus three more of my favorite girls, Izzy, Jenny, and Maddy. And also Megan was there, snapping away with her camera, and we can only hope that she captured me the way she usually does (ie, remember me riding that banana at Round Top?)



In addition to the posters, they also give high fives. They're the real deal.


...And I finished! Chad was right there and was the first one to come and swoop me up in a big hug and tell me how proud he was of me. Besides being a little shiny from sweat and pretty exhausted from running I was super glad he was there. We were together at the beginning and together at the end. That makes me happy.



I thought this picture was funny: It's just after the finish line, I came and collapsed on this hill overlooking the finish to catch my breath. It's like I'm saying, "phone?! can't we be friends? Why didn't you help me?" or maybe just, "bad phone! bad phone! I'm so disgusted with you!"



After the race was over, it was only like 9:30, and still pretty chilly, plus my body cooled way down after running and the wind was blowing and I was FREEZING! I was shivering violently and my teeth were chattering the whole time I wandered around and waited in line for the aforementioned awful food: beef and smelly rice and a tiny bit of chopped up asparagus. (Did I mention it was like 9:30, A.M.? Not dinnertime? I mean, I like beef and rice as much as the next person, but not for breakfast.) So, Aubrey let me use her jacket. I had my arms inside my finisher's shirt and Aubrey's jacket on me, backwards, and it helped a little. But I would have gladly put on that cookie suit of that guy behind me.



I hate for that to be the last picture you see... Please don't remember me that way. Remember me this way:


I started off strong and I attempted to finish strong and I think I did. I'm ready to sign up for another one, so I guess that's a good sign right?