Ever thought you couldn't do something?

I ran a half marathon.  There, I can say it.  Something I never thought I could ever do, I did!  And I actually even enjoyed (most of) it!

I started training in June for this race-running short distances twice a week and a longer one on the weekends.  Each weekend I would add on a mile until eventually I was running 7,8,9 10....you get the picture....miles on the weekend.  The farthest I ran before the race was 12 miles, so I knew going into the race that I only had to run one more mile past what I had already accomplished.

It was a beautiful day.  We started the morning at about 4:30.  Rachel, Ashley and I were all at Rachel's house.  We got ready-ate a little breakfast and headed over to the finish area to catch a bus up to the starting line.  It was amazing to see how many people were there-and to see the different kinds of people too!  We met up with my friend Jenny and boarded the bus.

They took us up into a canyon-seven miles up.  We got off the busses and got in line for the bathrooms-let's just say the lines were ridiculous.  We waited for about 25 minutes for our turns...(we were all nervous I guess!) and then headed up to the start line.  Once the gun went off-we all spaced out and ran on our own, at our own paces.
My first seven miles down the canyon were incredible.  The view was amazing-shaded-a slight breeze-ideal running conditions.  I was thrilled to feel so good!!  My back had been really bad just the Sunday before and I was so nervous that it was going to hinder my progress.

At seven miles the road branched off and we headed onto more main roads.  It was crazy to be running with so many different people.  At around mile 10, I could feel my back starting to tighten up.  A LOT.  It got really hot, really fast and I was slowing down quite a bit.  But I didn't want to stop.  At the rest station at mile 11, I started walking just to get a drink and take an energy pack.  I ended up walking about 3/4 of a mile.  I was really disappointed in myself for walking that far....and decided that no matter how much it hurt-I was going to run the rest.  And I did.

As I came over a little crest in the road I could see the finish line in the distance.  It looked really far away-but as I kept going it got closer and closer and I knew that I was almost there.  As I approached the final stretch, I could see Scott and Piper leaning over just past the finish line.  I literally started sobbing.  I cried my way across the finish line, right into Scott's arms.  It was way more emotional than I thought it was going to be, but it was SUCH an amazing feeling of accomplishment.  All of my hard work all summer had come to fruition right at that moment.  It was Amazing.

Ashley, Rachel and Jenny had all finished ahead of me.  But I didn't even care.  Yes, I would've like to have finished faster.  But I finished!  And I'm sure the next one I run, I will finish a little faster than this one.

As a side story-my dad trained with me all summer long.  He ran with me on my long runs-only missing my 7 miler and my 12 miler.  He was such an inspiration.  By the time he decided he wanted to run-the registration was closed.  But he was determined to run.  He started out on his own-ran 9 miles of his own course and then joined in with the other runners with 4 miles left.  He got his medal. I was so happy that he was able to run it too!
It really was one of the most satisfying experiences I've ever had.  So glad I did it-and like I said-YES, I would do it again.  I just have to get the feeling back in my feet first.....
Here are a few snapshots of the day.  I have more coming-but these are just a few of my favorites.....