Sunday, January 18, 2009

i run 13.1

What a day... what a day. It was awesome. Today I participated in my first 1/2 marathon. I have been training for it since July 4th weekend and today all the hard work paid off. Second times a charm I guess. I trained for it for a few months two years ago but hurt my knee and got pregnant so I never finished. Made it to the 10 miles for Texas race and then pretty much quit.
But not this time. Today I did it! The day did start though with some tears and a pep talk from Frank. We stayed downtown last night and the lady next door had her t.v. up on full volume and I only slept for 45 minutes. Yep...45 minutes..2:30 am-3:15 am to be exact. At 1 am I was crying because I had been laying in bed since 8 pm and was so mad that I hadn't slept. I think my first breakdown was about the time I had heard the Gallery Furniture commercial for the 5th time. The kids slept great, but Frank and I just tossed and turned. At 4 when I had to get up I was bawling and Frank quietly gave me a pep talk telling me I can do it, I've trained hard, and I'm ready.... sleep or no sleep. It was really sweet. So, I met my neighbor and friend Traci, and another friend Mary downstairs and we caught a cab to the George R Brown. My stomach was feeling very sick and I was worried, but once we were off and running I immediately felt better. Seeing Frank, the kids and our neighbors helped keep me going. They were so cute holding signs, cheering and running along side of me as I passed. The last mile was the best as crowds of people are cheering you on, and screaming your name. Our bibs had our names really large on them and strangers were screaming, "Go Lacey!" "Keep it up Lacey!", "Finish Strong LACEY!" It was awesome! And passing that finish line made me almost cry. To think that I have never been a runner and just finished 13.1 miles in a race was a great feeling. If someone would have told me three, four, five, 30 years ago that I would ever do a 1/2 marathon...I would have laughed. So exciting to accomplish a goal that seemed far out of reach.
Traci and Mary...WE DID IT!! I am so proud of us that we did it and finished the season!
Here are a few pictures from the day:
Part of my cheerleading team with their Go Lacey sign:


Mile 4.5:

Mile 7.5:
Gavin greeting me at water station Mile 8:


Mile 9:



Seeing the Fam after finishing and getting my medal:

Traci and I stoked to be done with our Finisher Shirts on:

WE DID IT! WE DID IT!

15 comments:

Ashley said...

Awesome! You did it! I tried looking for you there to cheer you on among the thousands of runners. It was so fun to cheer Dean and his friend Brad on. Brad ran as me, so I have a record of finishing the 1/2. Haha. I will run it one year, hopefully soon!

parsonsfamily said...

That is so so awesome...seriously, I think the most I've ever run is 3 miles...and that was 5 years ago. I think you might inspire me to start small....Congrats!

Courtney said...

You R-O-C-K! What an awesome feeling! AND, in shorts? I am so jealous! You look great, even after 13.1 miles (and we know that .1 is the hardest!).

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your run! That is so awesome! I can't even remember the last time I went running. CONGRATS!

Tanni said...

Congrats Lacey! I completed one a few years ago and I know exactly how it feels to cross the finish line. Way to go!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Lacey!! You look like you are having way too much fun out there :) You look awesome even at the end! I knew you could do it, I know what an awesome feeling it is....maybe next year you will sign up for the full with me???? I hope you got my message! we were thinking of and praying for you yesterday! Good for you!!!

Laura

Lindsay said...

Congratulations! That is so awesome. I hope to be able to do that one day too. And man, you couldn't have asked for better weather to run a marathon. I was thinking about you yesterday. So glad you accomplished your goal...such a great feeling to cross something like that off your "list."

Unknown said...

Way to go!! I am so proud of yall!! I so wish I could have done it...I did go run my 20 minutes today, so far from what you accomplished. Go girlie!!

Amy said...

Congrats Lacey! What a wonderful accomplishment. Maybe I will do that someday(not really).

sarah watson said...

Yea!!!! Great job, Lacey! I'm so proud of you!

ChrissyK said...

That is GREAT! I admire you and your running...there is on way I could do it. Congratulations.

Between the Dreaming said...

Yay, Yay, Yay!!!! I am SO proud of you!!! I know you have been working so hard!!! What a great time! I will definitely be there next time! So proud of you!

Tayton said...

Woo Hoo!!! We anxiously awaited the completion texts. We are so proud of you, what an accomplishment!!!

amanda said...

wow, lacey!! so cool...i just know you're on cloud nine. congratulations!!!

MKHKKH said...

Way to go Lace!! i am so proud of you! WOW. 13.5 miles. The tri will be no sweat after that! I am so happy you pulled through even with the rough night! One major accomplishment done. How many more to go??