{we did it!}

::i never thought it would happen, but i finished my 1st 1/2 marathon!::

i've NEVER been a runner...when i first started running in july, i would be gasping for air and feeling like i was going to throw up after 2 minutes.

::but with this little speedster, my 'hot to trot' running gals, and the grace of God, i did it!::

shealy had to talk me into it about 5 different times, even offering to pay the entry fee when i used that as one of my many excuses!

::it was one of the most emotional experiences of my life.::

it was the national run to cure breast cancer, so everyone was running for somebody...a friend, a mom, a grandmother, a coworker...we stood beside a lady who just finished chemo in

november and training for this race was what kept her going.

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::tears were streaming down my face for the first 7 miles::

there was a little boy running beside me, probably 11 or 12, and the sign on his back said,

"i'm running for my mom...1959-2007"

i couldn't stop thinking about my boys.

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there were so many people on the side of the road with signs that said

"i'm a survivor!"

and they'd shout

"thank you, thank you, you're running for me!"

::my mom, aunt, uncle & cousin were waiting for us at the finish line::

i'd never been so happy to see them in all my life!

shealy & i both ran the whole way without stopping once and we both beat our goal times, although hers was substantially better than mine! that girl is FAST! i tell myself it's because she's younger and because i have 3 kids, but really, she would have beat me if i was 16 years old and in the best shape of my life!
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i went into the weekend just wanting it to be over, saying i'd NEVER do this again.

but it was such an amazing experience that it {may} have to become an annual event!

although next year i'll be looking for a running buddy more my speed...it gets a little lonely running by yourself for almost 2 1/2 hours!