Bucket List Check Off

Well this is another blog that has been months in the making. I finally marked an item off my bucket list back in April. I completed my first (and probably only) half marathon. Not really sure why people get addicted to these things....it was only on my bucket list once and now it's done. I may change my mind but not before my toenails grow back. I liken the feeling to what women must feel like after child birth. I need time to get over the pain before I am willing do it again.

Yeah! No one tells you the downside to long distance running/walking. Aside from praying I would die for the two days that followed the race because I was so sore....the next week my toenails started falling off. When I began to ask my runner friends and google this phenomenon I was told repeatedly "oh that is normal". What the heck? Why did no one tell me this before? How is this normal? I seriously would have reconsidered the race. I have always taken great care of my feet....it's one of the few things that I have going for me. Not anymore. I had a blister the size of Texas (and ironically the shape of Africa) on the pad of my left foot and have now lost three toenails. #casuality

I will say this....I have honestly never felt that accomplished in my life. Around mile 11 I really wanted to give up and just sit down on the curb. About mile 12.5 I thought the only way I could finish was to crawl....but when Amy and I saw the finish line we just took off running as fast as we could. I have the missing toenails, the medal, the bib number and the ugly shirt and the 13.1 sticker on my car to prove that I have completed a half marathon.

For all of those people who said "now you're ready to do a full marathon".....you can take your 26.2 miles and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. You'll find me sitting on the beach somewhere with a diet coke and a good book in hand.

Here are some pics from the day....


this was the Biggest Loser Run/Walk race series so I got to meet one of the contestants from this past season, Gina.


My race buddies and I rocking our ugly green shirts. (Amy and Angie)


My fearless training partner, Amy, who logged over 150 miles training with me.
This picture was taken at the starting line.


The ring of shoes that we now all want to burn.


Amy and I at the finish line.


The whole crew: Amy, my sister Teri, me and Angie....we survived.


Before my car ever had a license plate it had this magnet....#accomplished #wellearned


A strong finish.


And I wasn't lying about the Africa shaped blister.


done and done.

Thanks for all the encouragement throughout the training process! I'm so glad I did it. I'm so glad it's over. And I will gladly cheer you on if you decide to tackle a race but don't ask me to do it with you :)