6/23 The Final Post

Well, this final post comes the day after the race.

The race was amazing. Exhilarating. Empowering. Such a wonderful experience!!!

The course was incredibly challenging. The 2 people I asked about the course LIED!! They told me it was flat and it was anything but flat! It was up and down STEEP hills for about 4 of the miles! And it was hot and humid. But it didn't matter. I felt so motivated!! Matt was SO awesome. He got up at 5am with me so we could get there in time and he brought his bike so he could meet me at different points on the course to cheer me on. That was SOOOO nice. To see a familiar face instantly gave me a surge of energy- every time. My final time was 2:23- slower than my normal pace but, given the hills and heat, I am thrilled!!

I followed the advice of my running "mentor" Tom and walked through each water station to hydrate- which was super important in the heat. But I only walked for about 20 seconds at each stop because I felt really good!! The hardest part, by far, was mile 11-12. I felt like that mile was about 5 miles.

At the finish line was Matt with the camera which he also had throughout the race (but I won't post those unflattering pictures!! ), my mom and dad and Lucas, who they kept overnight and brought to the race so he could see me finish. I was so incredibly overwhelmed when I crossed the finish line and saw them all. I cried!

This was by far the biggest physical accomplishment I have ever had and could be in my top 5-10 lifetime accomplishments. It is an incredible feeling to have a goal, work for it and succeed.

Will I do a marathon everyone asks.......maybe someday. But not right now. I am going to enjoy this feeling for awhile, enjoy running for pleasure purposes only, and put the 13.1 sticker on my bumper! :)

And now it's Matt's turn- he is talking triathalon, half marathon, marathon...whatever he decides, I hope I can support him in the way he supported me these past few months.

I was so overwhelmed by all the emails and messages I received from friends and relatives wishing me luck and congratulating me- I love you all!!!!

So, this post ends my journey.......maybe someday it will continue onto something even bigger. Right now this high feels pretty darn big!