My first half marathon!

I did it! :)

The start of the race - 214 women headed to the trail :)

It's hard to believe!  It's been a goal of mine for a few years now, but running has never been easy for me.  Even during training, the short 3 mile runs were still challenging.  Running is so mental, and it seems that no matter how far I'm running, it's always hard and I always want to walk.  But I did it!  I did it!

I really enjoy trail running over pavement running, but I don't think I'd recommend it for your first race!  Or at least not a course as hilly as this one!  I'd read online that most women walk up the hills on this course.  Before seeing it, I thought that seemed ridiculous!  But after running up the hills for the first 3 miles, I soon realized why people walked.  In fact, I can almost walk up some steep hills as fast as I can run up them, so it seemed like a waste of energy.  By mile 4, I was happily speed walking the hills.

8 miles in!  Getting my second wind :)

I think the first half of the race was the most challenging for me.  I felt pretty disappointed in myself, not only for going soooo slow, but for walking so much!  But everyone I saw was walking the hills, too.  I guess it just wasn't what I expected.  But at about 8 miles in, Shane was sitting there cheering me on (and gave me a swig of water and a GU gel!) and I really got my second wind.  I think I decided not to be upset with myself for walking so much and to just have fun! I mean that's what I paid $45 to do, right?! So I just kept on chugging away and not feeling guilty when I stopped at an aid station for 3 minutes or walked up a steep hill. 

Recharging -- thanks to Shane! :)

I finished my first half (trail!) marathon in 3 hours and 7 minutes.  Yes, that's really slow!  I could almost walk that fast :) But I did it!  And I'm so proud of myself.  I felt really good crossing that finish line!  And yesterday I signed up for my second half marathon (flat, pavement run!) in Richmond on November 10th!  Andrea and Paulette are both running it too!  It's so nice to have running buddies.  So, just when I thought I could take a break from training, I'm already at it again.  Here's to another 13.1! 

Paulette, Andrea and I before the race

Our cheering squad!

Me finishing!

After!

Love this guy :)