13.1 Miles...

I DID IT...

I ran my first 1/2 marathon race this weekend!

It was great, so great.

A few months ago a gal in my ward, Lisa, told me that she was going to train for a 1/2 marathon and was trying to recruit other girls to train with her.

I literally laughed at her and told her I was NOT a runner and there was no way. I had never run more than about 3 miles at a time and hated running! Then later that night I got to thinking, and I decided I would start the training program with them but was not convinced I would be able to do the race in only about 3 months.

And here I am now and I DID IT...and I have actually learned to LOVE running.

Who woulda guessed??

Saturday Morning BEFORE the race

Julie, Lisa, Yours Truly, and Jenny

Our running group, we wish Mandy could have been there too, but she was too far along pregnant to make it.

The Start/Finish Line...the race was in Irvine, Ca and there were 5,000-6,000 people running it...it was crazy!

I didn't get a picture RIGHT after the race, but it was amazing to cross the line...in fact, a bit overwhelming. I was exhausted and my knees were throbbing and my legs felt like they were going to fall off...but I didn't even care, all I wanted was lots and lots to drink and to call Paul to tell him I did it. It took a minute to realize that I had really accomplished it, my goal was to RUN the entire thing and I did.
(This pic was maybe 20 minutes after the race, just taking a breather)

Julie & I
(we ran together most of the race)

This says it all...whaoo, yippee, I DID IT, i did it, I DID IT!
Jenny Celebrating

Lisa Celebrating!

We were so lucky to be able to stay at Lisa's mother-in-law's beautiful beach house in Huntington Beach. So once we got back, SHOWERED and took a little break we headed out for some yummy lunch (we were STARVING) and to check out the beach.

Lisa and Me

Jenny and Me

That night we went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner...this dessert was my REWARD.....mmmm, delicious!

After dinner we headed to the grocery store for some Tylenol and Ice and then back to the beachhouse to catch up on our sleep! :)

It was such a great trip, and I am so lucky to have had that group of girls to run with, we pushed eachother and the only thing that got me out of bed when my alarm went off at 4:50 am all those mornings to run was knowing that they were waiting, and ready to run.

We said we should make this yearly tradition...so we'll see!

(Thanks Paul for letting me "get away" for the weekend to do this, I appreciate you taking care of the kiddos)