I DID IT...

...I ran my 1st 1/2 Marathon on Saturday!

...and all I can say right now is I am so glad I'm done :D

I started running back in end of March and I couldn't even run a mile! I am pretty competitive so I had in my mind a time that I wanted to achieve - I wanted to make sure I was done by 2 hours and 15 minutes...and I was! I completed 13.1 miles in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 4 seconds!

I can remember running down that hill...I was running as fast as I could because I could see the clock and I was like holy crap if I hurry I will make in under 02:10 - well I could only go so fast...and believe me I was going as fast as I could go at that point.

My Official Results

...during the official 20 weeks of my training the longest I ever ran was 11.3 miles so just that extra bit was tough...

On Saturday morning, Stuart and I got up and we stayed in Wenatchee - of course he tried to get me to eat some breakfast - that was a big FAT NO!!! I had two little bites of scrambled eggs to help settle my stomach since I just had taken 2 pain-relievers...I did it the day before and got sick - I wasn't making the same mistake twice. Then we drove the short distance to Leavenworth. When we pulled into the parking lot it was a very cold 31 degrees!

Stuart and I arrived to the race first but as soon as I could I found Gina and Joe...this year there was 1600 people registered.

Here I am getting my ipod and earphones ready...and I really should "THANK" Stuart...because he set up my playlist for me during all my training and adding all the songs I wanted - and whenever he noticed I liked a new song it was always added. He always had my ipod charged and ready to go so I wouldn't be without music on my runs...I don't know what I would do without him - thanks honey - I love you so much!

Right here we should be at about mile 5 or so...

Here we are probably about mile 9...

...I am at about mile 11 :D (notice the smile I am happy to be just about done!)

WOO HOO!!!! ALL DONE...but I'm not smiling anymore...I was really pushing myself at the end...and running as fast as I could go...remembering what my dad always said during Jr. High Track...and to have that kick at the end...well it may not have been as fast as in those days but I had some left in me and I didn't give up...I wish my parents could have been there to see me finish...

...here I almost fell over when they grabbed my chip off my ankle. I couldn't wait to sit down and when I did I needed help getting back up - Stuart was off getting me some water so Joe and a complete stranger helped me up off the ground.

Well that's one more thing I can say I accomplished in my life...now time to figure out the next...

for those of you on facebook I posted a ton more photos over there...Stuart thank you so much for all your support during this adventure and THANK YOU for taking these photos - you know how important they are to me.