I ran the half marathon.
That's me, right in the middle. I was wearing my 10-miler t-shirt as a reminder to myself that I could do it, plus a rather bright running skirt. After storms the day before, the temps were in the low 60s, which was perfect.
Imagine that just after this photo was taken, I let out a blood-curdling scream of joy because I felt exactly like this.
I ran 13.1 miles. And I was really happy the whole time.
Why? Because I reached a goal I’ve been pondering for almost two years, one that I’ve been somewhat obsessed with, and it feels GREAT. In fact, I’ve been riding a massive runner’s high for the past 24 hours.
During the two hour drive home afterward, Pete and I were talking about the race and processing the experience together. He asked me if I have any upcoming races, and I told him, “No. I’ve thought about it, but right now, I don’t feel like I have anything to prove.”
And I don’t. If I never run another 10-miler or half marathon again, I’ll be fine with that. I might run those distances again, but right now I have no plans, no goals. And I’m sure as shit not running a full marathon. Ever.
I’m going to take this week off from running. Go for some walks. Ride poor Bubbles, who has been horribly neglected this summer. Maybe do a little yoga. Definitely work in the garden, which is jungle-esque in its need for weeding.
And when I’m ready to run again, I will. But I won’t worry about distances or time. I’ll just run because it makes me happy.
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Congratulations!!! I’m so proud of you and I know you’re proud of you, too. You go, Girl!!
You’re so awesome! Congratulations on all of your accomplishments.
You make me proud. And inspired.
So thrilled for you! But I just want to point out, I’m pretty sure you were also “sure as shit” never going to run a half… so never say never, haha. I’m rebooting this week with a reset program in an attempt to get my running mojo back. I’ll be thinking of you while I’m on the trail, so thanks for the inspiration xo
Congratulations!!!!
Standing O over here, my friend! You’ve got some moxy!
what a fantastic gift you gave to yourself!!! I’m also so glad to read how you are going to approach the upcoming time with variety built in….which will give you the mental vacay I’m sure you’re craving, now that you have reached the mountaintop, and are looking down over the valley…
Congratulations!
Congratulation! That’s incredible.
Congratulations! You deserve that runner’s high!
Dude. I think DRIVING 10 miles is hard and you RAN IT. You DID IT.
You. Are. Incredible.
Congrats! That’s so exciting! I have to tell you that you have inspired me to start running again. Or running for the first time since I’ve never been very consistent about it. So thanks, my friend! You are one amazing lady.
Congratulations!! I am all verklempt over here, thinking of how GREAT your accomplishment feels to you!
Congratulations! Very, very impressed. The high lasts for a good long while. The thing is, you did it! Nobody and nothing can take it back from you.
I remember bursting into tears when I crossed the finish line on mine, mainly because I just could not believe I’d actually done it. I know exactly what you are feeling, and I want to give you a great big back-slap and say WELL DONE.
And I do want to echo the thoughts about a marathon – you say that now, and I said that then, but two years later I am giving serious thought to a marathon. At the moment my running is back down to low low levels (12 miles a week in a good week) so it would be hard work, but I kind of need to know if I could do it. The thought-niggle is there, and that’s usually how I end up embarking on stupid shit.
You are an inspiration!
You amaze me.
Congratulations Jen!