See Erin Run

Most anyone who knows me or reads this blog knows I run.
I try and do about 15-20 miles a week.
Since January, my focus has been to complete my FIRST half marathon.
13.1 miles.
As of yesterday, May 2nd, around 9:25am...
I DID IT!

(crossing the finish line with Kim & Brooke!)

I'm smiling SO BIG after 13.1 miles, 'cause I had just seen THIS!

I had run 12.5 miles before.
So mentally, I knew I could do it.
But the last 2 miles were WAY harder than I expected.
The course was kinda hilly at points
and I stopped to pee at mile 8.
Which was good in that the side ache I had went away...
But after stopping...the going again was TOUGH!
All along, I knew I would run between 10 and 11 minute miles.
So I wanted to finish somewhere between 2 hours 20 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes.
I DID JUST THAT!
So I am very happy and proud of my first attempt!!

What kept me going the last 2 miles was knowing what I was running for.

Pediatric Cancer Research.

Erin Vallely should be turning 31 this year.

Instead she has been in Heaven longer than she was here with us.

Compared to the fight she fought...and kids like her fight everyday...

13.1 is really nothing!

Knowing I would see these faces at the end kept me going too!

Seeing Mateo and my kids cheering me across the finish line
was THE BEST part of the whole experience.
Second best part was HOW GREAT it felt to be done
and know I had accomplished a huge goal of mine.

A day later, my thoughts are this:
I love to run.
13 miles is long.
I will do it again.
Not sure 26 will ever be for me.
I need to cross train.
WHAT LAURA WROTE on our #500in2010 blog last Thursday is SO TRUE!
(I kept repeating it to myself from about mile 9 on)
Recoverite is a miracle powder.
It's time for new shoes.
I couldn't have done it without the awesome support of my husband.
And the best running partner ever!

(me & Kim with our HALF MARATHON medals!)

Thank You to everyone who has encouraged me along the way. Thank you to everyone who took the time to cheer me on or congratulate me yesterday (my phone started "tweeting" at 5AM with good thoughts!) And an ESPECIALLY HUGE thank you to all of you who made a donation to PCRF!! You made reaching this goal of mine, that much more sweet! Love you!