We Did It!!

I am so happy to say that all of the training has finally paid off!

About a year ago Justin and I started running together to get into shape. I had a lot further to go than Justin did when it came to physical fitness. We decided that we would begin to "train" for races to keep ourselves motivated. We both successfully completed a 10k (6.2 miles) last fall and began to feel more comfortable and excited about attempting longer runs. The original plan was to be able to run a half marathon by spring and a full by fall. Our race schedule was moved up significantly when we realized that we had 8 months to train for the next race and my constant and usually unwise inpatients to get the end result. Justin, in his infinite wisdom, repeatedly questioned the decision to run the full by spring, but continued to patiently support me by training with me.

We registered for the race in December, which meant there would be no backing out, trust me we tried. The closer the race came and the longer the Saturday morning runs grew, the more apprehensive we became. By the time we were supposed to be running 20 miles (thanks Rachel for bailing us out) we knew we had bitten off more than we could chew. During the next month we fretted and worried about the ensuing 26.2 miles that were looming in the near and gloomy future. I called the Marathon Headquarters to find out if we could change from the full to the half with no success.

Finally, we came to terms with the fact that all we had to do was finish the race. We knew that we would not come in firs,t and didn't care if we were last to cross the finish line because at least we would accomplish our goal. So, for the rest of the month we continued to train almost as scheduled (it was a little hard to talk ourselves in to the final 20 mile run).

May 16th finally came, starting at 4:00am. We loaded a bus that took us 26.2 miles up the road and dropped us off. At 7:00am the starting cannon rang and there was definitely no turning back. After a very long and hard 5 hours and 8 minutes our training and apprehension had finally come to an end as we crossed the finish line together. We know we made no speed record, we averaged about 11.7 minutes a mile (we were not the last to cross the line). But we are both very proud to say that we can and have run a marathon!

The scenery was beautiful, as you can see behind us. Justin looks great running, I look very awkward and uncoordinated.

This is somewhere after mile 18. I had to have people at a first aid station cut the sleeves off of my shirt because I am pretty sure that I was beginning to suffer from heat stroke.

Here we are crossing the finish line together. We were so happy because we had finally finished and my parents had brought our boys to see it happen. Throughout the race Justin would say, "Just think pretty soon we will be able to see the boys, won't that be great." It really meant the world to Justin and I that they were there at the end. Thanks Mom and Dad, you are the greatest.

Sweet release! It is over!

I am not sure if we will ever attempt to run a full marathon again. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done and, aside from child birth, I have never hurt as badly as I did on Sunday after the race, but I can honestly say that I am so happy that we did it and I would not take it back. Justin, thank you for all of your support, I know that I would not have been able to do it if you had not been there every step of the way. I love you, Sweetheart.