I did it! I finished!
So after you run 9.2 whats another 4 right? Well that was mine and my good friends courtneys mentality after we did the hot chocolate race in december 2011. So we signed up for the Rock n Roll half marathon in washington DC. They call it the rock n roll because there is music at each mile.
So I got a training schedule from my very good friend shrilyn, got some new running shoes and hit the pavement. We had three other friends do this with us. We would train by ouselves usually during the week then on saturdas we would do our long runs together. Our friend joanna had already ran a half marathon so she was following a different program and leah had some knee problems. So on saturdays it turned out to be the three amigos Me, angela, and courtney. It turned more into our saturday therapy sessions.
The race was held on st patricks day March 17 2012. We had to get our green out and spice up our running outfits. We made green and white tutus. We didnt run in them but it was all worth it for the photo opportunity before.
I told david that I really wanted him and the kids there at the end. So he would be in charge of getting the kids ready and down to the race with some of the other husbands. He was awesome and didnt even skip a beat and said of course we will be there. I bought a huge bag at sams club of the mini cadbury eggs that come in the purple bag. They are my favorite and that was my end of the race treat.
So race day morning we road the metro to the start. We got into our time coral and were all set to go. It was awesome joanna was going to bear a time so she took off. Leah had her knees bothering her so she stayed with us for about 8 miles. The three amigos stayed right with each other the whole time. It was a neat experience since it was in DC they closed the roads we were running on. We ran past some of the monuments and the potomac river. There were some hills which I like. I felt really good the whole time. I really didnt want to walk at all. I had said since the day we signed up I just want to finish but in the back of my mind I really had a time set. I wasnt focusing to much upfront about it but I really wanted to get a good time. So as we got around mile 11 i thought okay I am done. I just needed a boost. So l called david and just hearing him gave me the boost. We only talked for like 15 seconds but just knowing that in minutes I would see him and the kids. That this huge accomplishment would be over. That all the early saturdays running and the other training I did would be paying off. That in a matter of minutes I could say I did it.
As we got closer to the finish the adrenaline and energy was awesome. We crossed the finish line and I felt a huge sense of accomplishment, pride, happiness, tired, exitement, hunger, thirsty, joy. Our finish time was 2hours and 30 min. That is exactly the time I wanted.
Nothing was better then turning the corner at the end and seeing david and the kids. It was awesome.
I am so so glad that I did this. I am so greatful for my friends for doing it with me. The last year or so I have thought I wanted to a half marathon. So it was so encouraging to me to set my mind to something and do it. I am so lucky to have david that encouraged me and did whatever he needed to do so I could get my runs in. I have a 13.1 sticker on my car and everytime I see I think about the whole experience and how proud of myself I am.
At the race expo the day before the race
Leah, Joanna, courtney, angela, and me
Me and courtney
Me and David at the end
Not the best family picture but glad we were all there
