So back towards the end of the summer I sort of told Dustin that maybe I'd join him in his next half marathon. I hesitatingly suggested it because I really wasn't sure if it was something that I'd be capable of. I love to run a few miles here or there but 13 miles... that seemed a bit overwhelming. Would I find time to commit to training? Would that take me away from the kids too much? Hmmmm... maybe I shouldn't do it after all.
But it was too late. My better half jumped at the chance to sign us up knowing that if he made it official, there was no backing out.
Training began in August. Slowly I built my endurance up. When work started, I began to run in the mornings. Molly and I would get outside when it was still pitch black and run loops and loops around the neighborhood. I was determined to follow my training schedule and for the most part, I did. As the runs got longer, I put in the time after work and always saved my longest runs for after church on Sunday mornings.
November 15th quickly approached and before I knew it, race day had arrived. My running buddy reluctantly had to sit this one out because of his appendectomy a few weeks prior. I had to go it alone... well, with a few thousand strangers I guess.
And guess what! I did it. I completed it without stopping! I was slower than I expected myself to be but for me, it wasn't about a time... it was about completing something that I doubted I could do.
Dustin snapped this one seconds before I crossed the finish line.
It felt amazing being on the other side of the race... not just a spectator, but finally a runner.
