Well, it's official...I am a half marathon runner!  I willingly admit to thinking, especially around miles 9, 10, and 11, that the race wouldn't end.  But I did it!  I was sad to realize, as I stood at the starting line, that they were giving out 13.1 stickers at registration (I previously mentioned this played a large part in my wanting to run).  When I registered I didn't get one and as you can imagine doing any additional walking after the race, for anything, was absolutely out of the question.  So I'll just have to go buy my own one of these days.

First things first.  My time.  I set a goal of running this beast in 2 hours and 30 minutes.  There's no real reason for this being my goal time other than a friend ran a half a couple of weeks ago and he did it in 2:25.  I figured if he could I could probably get a somewhat comparable time so that was my goal.  I didn't make it though.  I actually ran it in 2:50, so just 20 minutes off, but I'm not at all sad or disappointed.  This was my first half and before this my longest run had been 6 miles so I'm more than happy with my results.  It averages out at about 13:30 minutes per mile, but that's the average.  I know my first 7 miles were quicker, but things drastically slowed down.  But again, not at all ashamed.

Here are a couple of pictures from race day.

The Half Marathoners!

This is what the bib looked like. (Photo borrowed from Lacey)

 

I'm not sure who took this as I was clearly running.

The medal all the runners received.  Quite possibly my most prized possession!

I bought myself the coveted 13.1 magnet.  YEEEESSSS!!!!

The awesome sign Kelly made for me.  Best. Fan. Ever. :)

At you can imagine, I didn't have a camera while I ran so I didn't get any pictures of our fans, but I did get a picture of the sign Kelly made for me!  As this moment I can't imagine choosing to run another race, but I have a feeling it will be like when I got my tattoo...immediately after I was okay with just the one, but after a while the itch to get another keeps rearing it's head.  We shall see though!  For right now I'm swearing off running for at least a week!

It's a new year.  Wow.  I can't believe 2012 is already here.

As I get closer to my 30th birthday, it's next year, I've decided I want to make a Bucket List that will be titled  "30 Before 30".  I've not gotten very far.  I mean this idea hasn't moved beyond wanting to do it...I've still yet to sit down and actually think about it and write it out.  But I do know one thing that will be on the list.

I want to complete a race.  A half marathon to be exact.  Which is convenient because as of Thursday, December 29, I took the plunge. And by "took the plunge" I mean I was shoved in, but it's official either way.

I'm registered for a half marathon in April.  And yes, when I say a half marathon I mean running for 13.1 miles...consecutively. WHAT!?!

Anyone who knows me knows I don't run much past 3 miles.  Sure, I've often thought about how awesome it would be to push myself mentally and physically to complete an actual race...and how awesome I'd feel being apart of the cool club with a 13.1 magnet on the back of my Jeep (true story).  But I've never actually even looked into it much less really considered signing up.

That time of dreaming of the magnet has ended.  I will, in 13 short weeks, complete a half marathon...amd buy myself the magnet.  I'm hoping somewhere along the way become an avid runner who just hasn't reached her full potential until now.  I'm not holding my breath though.  At best I'm hoping to lose a couple of pounds and inches, get more muscle definition, prove to myself that I can push through anything with hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, and transform myself from this

to this

Here's to determination, strength, facing fears, and a sense of accomplishment in 2012!