Half Marathon- Part III

I still can't get over how crowded the running was. I am glad we got to run on Katy Trail because of the wind, running downhill towards the end was a definite plus. But Katy Trail did not leave enough room in my opinion. The last three miles is kind of a blur to me. I can't remember anything I heard on my iPod. Nothing. I just remember telling myself to run as fast as I possibly could just so it could be over. And before I knew it, the Garmin said 12.80.

It was at that moment I ran as fast as I possibly could and I glanced down for a second and saw that I was running in the 6's. I was glad I had enough in me to keep going and to go fast in the end. That was a sign to me that I had paced well and having enough gas left to push through and push fast was greatness!!! I passed soooooo many people that burnt out way too soon because they did not pace themselves. I easily could have been one of those people but I practiced so hard in my long runs to run negative splits. I'm never disciplined and somehow I was disciplined in those long runs to do that. It paid off! It worked!

I remember seeing the arch of balloons and the clock and running so fast I was weaving in and out of people hoping to not run into them. I was almost mad that people were in view of the finish line jogging. I wanted to yell "Come on!!!! You are at the end! RUN!". Instead, I focused on my own finish and made it across 2:09:03 hours, minutes and seconds later. I was handed a Mylar blanket, a medal was placed around my neck and while I gasped and searched for water, a guy grabbed me for a picture with my medal. I quickly took the picture and began to search for my family and Jeremy. Instantly I saw the kids and my Mom and James. It was awesome seeing their faces! Still could not find Jeremy and I pretty much had figured he was in the bathroom like he is after every long run. :) I headed to the food tent for a banana and some water and thirty minutes later we finally found Jeremy! Jeremy finished in 2:05:54. I am very proud of him because he could care less about racing. He did it for me.

And now I am left with the decision of what to do next. There are three half's coming up. Two are in Austin and this Dallas girl is still a rebel and hates running Austin. Why? Hills! Call me a wimp, I don't care! I hate hills with a passion and have done little training on hills. Plus running is a very emotional thing for me and I still, STILL struggle with living here. (That is a whole other story). SO I would much rather run somewhere close to family. It guarantees friends and family support, childcare and familiar ground. That does not mean I will not run a race in Austin, this is our home now so I have to at some point. We are moving in a few months to an incredible area I love and I really feel like it will change my tune about this part of Texas. It better! There is a marathon in February in Fort Worth and a half. Jeremy wants to run the half and I am thinking of doing the full. I am praying sooooooooooo hard about it and praying for Jeremy to have peace about it. He DOES NOT ultimately want me to run a full. He thinks, well, it's stupid. He wants me to do it because he knows I am ready training wise to move forward but since a girl died this past weekend, he has really had mixed emotions about it. Running is great but it is soooooooo hard on your body. Also the training is very hard on a family. I have to make sure I am putting as much passion into my home as I am running. If not, it means NOTHING. Kind of like everything else in life.

My friend Wendy and I are planning to do the Chicago marathon in October and trying to convince two other friends to do the same. It would be an awesome trip and fun to experience together. We are all four runners, homeschoolers and mothers of three or more children. The funny thing is, we have never met in person. I talk to Wendy A LOT on the phone and Kim and I talk on the phone too. I would talk to Kate every day if I could but she is a busy mother of four. Wendy and I have three children and Kate and Kim have four. I love these women. We are connected in the most incredible ways. They are my sisters. To run Chicago with them would be heaven on earth! Do you see a trend here? Why do so many homeschooling mamas run? :) I think we need the break! :) Jeremy approved the Chicago marathon so it looks like it will happen. I pray so!

As far as the next few months, I need to decide in the next month what I will do. Next Saturday I will do a 15 mile run to be on track for the marathon at the end of February. My training only takes me to 20. From what I have heard, the Fort Worth one never sells out so I have some time. We shall see! Regardless, my next half or full is in February!

I'm changing some things about my running. I've got some mindsets that I feel have me way off base and I have got to get back to the reason why I run.

One more post tomorrow! I will save the best for last! I have to tell you about my best friend Kelly Ann!