My Wall of Honor

So here is my Wall of Honor - a little showcase of my medals. All hard won accomplishments that required months of hard training, dedication and sacrifice... LOL 

Ok maybe I didn't qualify for the Olympics or anything but I did really surprise myself by being able to complete all three of these runs. Above all I am proud of myself and happy that it is over! 

Three Half Marathons in Three Months - DONE!!!

Today was my last half marathon of 2009 - I managed to run one in October, November and December...I'm kinda sad that it over, then I bend or laugh and feel how sore I am and I realize, yeah I'm ok with this being done LOL

So today's run, started off cold, then stayed cold during the middle then right at the end...still cold. But I ran a lot longer than I had in the first two, I kept a steady pace throughout and I kept noticing how GOOD I felt - the first 4 miles flew by so fast I didn't even realize where I was at one point. 

At the turnaround point (6.8) miles the announcer said we were at 1:30 and I knew that if I wanted to get back under 3 hours I'd need to dig and I guess I did. I'd planned on eating my second gel at mile 8 but when I got there, and was still going pretty strong I just decided to keep on going without eating it. 

At mile 12 I got a surprise, a lady walking her dog on the course told me my husband was waiting up ahead to run the last mile with me...I was like um he is? I didn't know her or how she knew who my husband was but - I turned a few corners and there he was, out in the cold camera in hand waiting for me! The thing was right before I saw him I passed a clock and saw that I was at 2:41 so I KNEW I could beat my previous time and it was a pretty emotional moment and I shed a tear at how strong I felt and how close I was to the end. 

This has been a tough couple of months, the training for the first marathon became boring and I didn't stick with it like I should have and I honestly wasn't prepared -physically for that run and the humidity. Not knowing what it took to run it left me mentally unprepared so that was really a learning experience. I really tried to use what I'd learned for the second half, and although I did a little better I knew I could have done better - plus I had to wait to get my medals for those two since it took me so long to finish. 

Finishing this run, being able to pick up my medal as I was going through the finish line and getting my other medal for the Tri 2B Tuff competition really let me know that I accomplished a major goal. 


Now I get to enjoy my much-needed break!

No More Medals in the Mail!!!

So I have my last half marathon coming up on Sunday December 20th....I didn't think I was going to be able to do three of them but after not being dead after that first one, and doing a little better in the second one I said hey - why not?

What I have learned though is that a lot more people have been signing up for the halfs than there are medals and if you finish with a 3+ time you have to wait to get your medal in the mail..IN THE MAIL??? I know I'm new to this running thing and all but isn't part of the joy of doing this so I can have a medal handed to me as I huff and puff across the finish line?

So as of now (ok maybe it is a little late to make this proclamation) I will be getting my medal at the race dangit! If I have to run some people over, snatch it from the hands of some goober lucky enough to have pushed a little harder oh I WILL get my medal!

Well this has been a fun adventure, and finishing this race will mean that I get to become a member of the 2009 Tri2btuff club - after finishing the half (and getting my medal!) I get to pick up my technical t-shirt and announce to the world that I completed 3 half marathons in 3 months!! I know I have goosebumps just thinking about it too LOL

So what lies ahead for me? Rest for one, enjoying Christmas with my hubby and kiddies and a short break from running and boot camp. But starting the week after Christmas I will be right back at it then I will start training for the River Run which will be a whole new adventure to come. So for now I will look forward to running my little booty off (in the cold) on Sunday morning - which means dragging myself to work sore and worn out Monday morning...but then we have a short week and will end it with Christmas and Jason's birthday on the Sunday after.
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