So when this past weekend came around...I put it to the test again. I ran my very first half marathon! I trained for a few months seriously and got on a good running program. I said to my hubby just moments before the race began...'This is kind of like our wedding...you prepare for months and it's over with in just a few hours'.
Sunriver, OR is my favorite place to go with my family. It has a peaceful feeling every time I pull into the village. I love the smells, the sites, the feeling I get when I'm there...calmness. I had a few days to get ready before the race started. I had pulled my groin two weeks ago and had run only once since then...I was nervous and wondering if my left leg was going to hold out for that long. I had been getting good miles and a great pace...I was happy with my training...until the groin pull...it hurt and I was nervous that I wasn't going to be able to run. I rested and iced and took lots of ibuprofen...I did all I could...
Friends...I was so happy that morning...I worked so hard to get there...just something that only I could accomplish. No one could make my feet move. As the timer went off and I started (me and Lady GaGa) we moved through the first mile dodging people, getting off the trail to pass some others, a feeling of 'I can do this' was so overwhelming! I don't think I stopped smiling...At mile 7 I grabbed my water and looked over at this gal and said 'Whose idea was this?'...still smiling...but getting a little tired. I was half way there...I can do this...At mile 8.5 I came out of the path of trees and into a clearing and there, I saw my mountain. What a view...It gave me everything I needed to push forth to the end. When I got to the finish line I was so happy...I cried...hands over my head...I did it! I didn't care about the time...My garmin was not working, so I had no idea about my pace...it was about me and the ability to do something new and finish strong! I ran the WHOLE thing...not once did I stop!
I'm happy with the new endeavour! I love that I have found running. Something that I can get excited about for me...a mom, a wife, a woman! I chose to keep going...A year ago I found running and now, I'm a runner too!
