GOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL

I reached my goal on October 19th, 2008 in 3 hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds!  The half marathon went really well and much better than I expected.  I had planned on a 4 hour run but managed to beat that time without even trying.  I averaged 15.50 miles per hour, of course starting out faster and gradually slowing to almost an 18 minute mile in the second half.  I was running on my own and was bummed to know I didn't have a running buddy but was very glad to find a gal in WaterWorks who was running my pace and had the goal to finish.  Once out of WaterWorks she was still very strong and pulled ahead, so I told her to go on without me.  She was so sweet and checked on me, looking back every once in awhile.  I couldn't have finished as strong as I did without her.  Thanks so much!  

Everyone always asks, what was the hardest mile?  The last one, of course!  It took me the longest and I walked this one more than others but this was also the mile that I couldn't believe I was actually finishing!  I made it!  All of the encouragement and support via Twitter and Facebook was sooooo helpful as well.  My family rocks and I totally appreciate everything they have done for me!  

Next year, the plan is to walk the 13.1 miles and my mother-in-law is planning to join me.  Maybe we can make it a family affair and get all the ladies rocking the course!  As of right now, my calves are aching, my right hip is in pain and my back muscles barely hold my body up so next year can't be far enough away but I'm sure I'll be ready!  For now, I celebrate completing a goal I set out to accomplish.  Now on to the next goal.  Not sure what that will be yet.  Skydiving????

Half Marathon

I am starting to feel very apprehensive about this race.  I have yet to run more than 8 miles on my own and have a partner that is not 100% sure she is going to run with me.  My goal is simply to finish the race, however, with lack of support around me, I am considering changing to doing the 5K, instead of all 13.1 miles.  Almost feeling like I am sabatoging myself, as I have not been making much of an effort to run farther, however, I am simply not as prepared that I could be.  Trying to be positive but it's getting more and more difficult the closer the race gets.  We'll see...

Running...

Had a great run this morning!  I jogged 3 miles in 37 minutes!  Almost a 12 minute mile!  Which is a new thing for me!  I am still concerned with being able to make the entire 13.1 miles.  My friend Katie has said she will run with me and our goal is to simply finish the race.  I hope that the race goes well and we'll treat it as a definite challenge.  Next year, my goal will be to jog the whole thing and run a few more races prior to the 1/2 marathon.  Just a quick little update.  Hope to see y'all soon!