13.1 Miles

I can’t believe it’s already over.

It’s weird sitting here, a day and a half later, and being able to look back and say, “I just ran a half marathon!!”

W-O-W!

I don’t know if I will give this post justice, but I will do my best to paint a small portion of what I just experienced.

Because if not for anything else, I want to remember what I just accomplished.

I don’t know if it was the smartest race for us to run for our first half marathon: it was a trail race.

Course Description: Enjoy a scenic flat and fast course at the peak of spring! Terrain is mostly dirt, with some gravel areas, water crossings, and grassy sections. The course is for beginners looking to enjoy the new spring season and challenge of trail running, and experienced runners looking for an early year PR.

Trail races are harder than road races {correct me if I’m wrong} and you normally can count on adding about 20 minutes to your time!

With that being said, I think we were as ready as we ever would be!

Anxious and a little nervous, we got to the race about an hour early to check in and “do our business.”

Before we knew it, it was time! Like, time-time! No more training. No turning back. This was it! We were going to do it! :)

Most of the trail was on dirt roads. But some of it was through fields. {Like the kind you have to watch every step you take so you don’t trip} There were “ditch” crossings that you had to jump over. Some of the ditches were “soggier” than others. We did end up getting a little muddy!

I ended up almost rolling my ankles a couple of times. Thank goodness I didn’t! My feet went “numb.” {I have Morton’s neuroma’s}  My toes felt like they had nails driving into them. And I had.to.pee! I was fine as long as I was “running.” But when I would slow down to cross over a “ditch” I almost peed a couple of times! {TMI!}

It was just one foot in front of the other! The weather was perfect. {Overcast}. Gorgeous scenery. {Flowers blooming.} And I was pushing myself harder than I have ever before. {This was harder than giving birth. Oh wait….how would I know?}

I learned you can’t give up. There was no turning back. I made a commitment to do this. I trained for it. I dedicated myself. I was going to finish it. No matter how hard it was. No matter how long it was. No matter how much I hurt. I.was.going.to.finish!

And I did.

I finished.

And I lived.

And I’m still alive.

And I hurt.

But I did it!!!

 

 

And the best part? I didn’t do alone!

At one point in the last half, I was coming around a bend, and Robin was coming towards me. It was so exciting to see her, to know that we are doing this together. And right after I passed her, I saw Sherrie turning up to go up another road {there was a creek separating us}. I really don’t think I could have done this alone. These two women inspire me. And if it wasn’t for both of them, I wouldn’t have dedicated myself and pushed myself these last couple of months. They are truly motivating!!!

For the last quarter of a mile{???}, I ran back to finish with Robin.

And then we were both there for Sherrie when she came into the home stretch.

 

Exhausted. Sore. Sweaty. Muddy. Accomplished.

We did it!

These are my Sole Sisters! :)

I am so grateful for the support that Ben has given me. He knew I could do it. And he has made it possible for me to train and encouraged me to get out and get my runs in. And he was there at the finish line cheering me on! It was that last little bit of strength that I need to finish the race. And not just finish it, but race to the finish!

{And now, Ben wants to do this race next year with me! We’ll see!}

After scarfing down a pulled pork sandwich, a million orange wedges, and a couple bottles of water, it was time take off my shoes, prop these feet up, and let it all soak in what I just accomplished!

13.1 miles, baby! I did it!!