Half Marathon Re-cap

I am wondering how many Facebook friends are on the verge of de-friending me due to the excessive amount of half marathon status updates and pictures!!!??!? Sorry folks, a re-cap is oh so necessary.

The half marathon was such an experience! I am so happy that I decided to do this. My goal time was 2 hours and 30 minutes and I finished in 2 hours and 24 minutes! YES!

I was so worried about the weather. The night before we did the Kid Run and it was FREEZING outside. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to run in that kind of weather because that was what was forecasted for Sat morning.

When we got to the race it was COLD! Everyone was bundled up with gloves, hats, etc. I decided that I would want those warm things off after a couple of miles so I was going to tough it out. We lined up for the race and started getting ready. The sun came out and things started warming up. The wind was slightly blowing and the sky was so blue. They said a prayer and we started the race. There were so many people there cheering and I cranked up my music. A Point of Grace song was up first and I could feel God there at that race. It could not have been a more perfect start. I have re-played those moments in my head a hundred times.

The first few miles flew by (well, if 10 minutes a mile is flying by) and then I started settling in and doing some thinking. I have decided that running a half marathon is very close in comparison with childbirth/pregnancy. Here is why:

-The crying. Oh my goodness! I did not think I was going to cry during the race! I got choked up when it started, when I saw my parents at mile 5, friends at mile 8, sister & kids at mile 8 1/2, and then again thinking of that finish line and Scott and the kids waiting for me.

-You prepare for it for a very long time and then when it gets here it takes what seems like forever to finally deliver the finish.

-Side pains, contractions=same thing

-Pregnancy sucks out brain cells & so does running. I have done more bonehead things since I started training than ever before. Just ask Scott. No don't.

-Clumsy. Did I trip on a cone? Yes I did. But just one.

-You cannot walk for the next 3 days after it is over.

-Bladder control

-You are appalled when you see the pictures of yourself because you are much bigger than you had realized.

-You push at the end and then it is all over! Although a metal is nothing compared to a newborn baby.

-Even though it was rough you are so glad you did it

If I could do this, then ANYONE can. Next up: Little Rock Half March 2010. Who's in?

On a side note...we got our family pictures made by my friend Becke' this weekend. If you need pictures, then she is the person to call....check her out at www.luluphotographyco.blogspot.com/