WARNING: this post is for my kids. So one day they can look back and know their Mom didn't just sit around eating bon-bons all day. (not that i think any of you do, but if you do, save me one) This running thing - i have come to crave it (notice i said crave and not love) i wanted to see, or a better yet i wanted to feel what all the hoopla with running is about.
My friends who run tell amazing stories of their beautiful morning run, how much fun it is to run in the rain and how much it sucks to run in the wind. They have met people on their runs, fallen, been chased by dogs and most importantly grown mentally and/or spiritually in some way or another through each run. I wanted that. I wanted that but couldnt even imagine running and thinking of anything other then, " i hope i'm almost finished" or ''I HATE THIS" over and over again in my mind. I'm sooo NOT a runner and It's been a really long time since i set a goal like this for myself so my goal (if you can even call it that) for the Pacific Half was to just do it, get through it, finish it. My expectations for myself needed to be set low okay, did i mention i'm not a runner? :) I didn't want to set myself up to fail . I am thrilled to say i did it!! I finished it! It really is a great feeling. I get to check this goal off my list. I am even happier to say i enjoyed it. I enjoyed ALL of my long runs with friends, my short runs, my time alone, my time to think, notice, and enjoy the beauty that is all around me. I loved the excitement, and adrenaline of the serious runners the ones with a "real" goal in mind :) they are an inspiration. I love the friends i have made through running, the friendships i have strengthened. I learned more about myself, i found out i love running in the rain, i love running with friends the most, i love the surge of energy that fills the air on race day, and i learned that boys still honk at girls running on the side of the road no matter what your age .......
All in all it was a great day, one i will never forget. Who knows, maybe i'll try another one someday
