Asia and Chocolate

race recap

Wow ... I did it. I accomplished my number 1 goal on my new year's resolution by finishing the Country Music Half Marathon today and it feels so great (well the achy muscles and joints don't feel great, but the feeling is irreplaceable).

April and I finished in 3:06:22 and are content with our time. It's a faster pace than any of our training - I think the excitement of the day moved us along. And the time includes one toilet break. Next year we'll work on improving our time since they say the first year should just be about finishing.

The beginning started out with a brisk walk and then we started running/walking at mile 1.5. Honestly after that the miles were a blur - but entertaining with people out in their yards cheering us on. It was great to hear complete strangers say, "go team nelson!" How cool? You can't help but smile and keep going. Thankfully there was no more rain after the race started and the clouds had dissipated by the time we were almost through; we were thankful for the cooling clouds for the majority of the race, though.

I loved being a part of a larger team (Team Nelson) and being able to spot our blue shirts along the way. It was encouraging to see people I know. And in that last .2 of a mile one of my Nelson teammates (I don't even know her name) passed by me and encouraged me to finish strong. It was great.

The runners high at the end is awesome ... crossing that finish line, knowing we set a goal and made it. Finishing a half-marathon is something I never even let myself dream of doing a few years ago and now I've done it! I didn't cry at the end ... too excited and exhausted, but it was definitely emotional.

Thanks to my parents and my little brother Phillip, who came out and cheered us on at mile 10 and then again at the finish line. It was great to know that someone was out there supporting us. And congrats to Sheila who has encouraged me through my training - she made her goal of under 2 hours. I'm so impressed!

So, here's to next year - where we will train harder and run faster! I've drank the kool-aid. :)

(pics: top - some Nelson crew before we got into our corrals. L-R: Sharon C., me, Neil, Adam & Sharon W.; middle - April and I waiting to start the race; bottom - with the family at the end!)

the little voice inside

"The whole idea is not to beat other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." George Sheehan

[HT: Dr. G's run blog]

the difference a shoe makes

So the birthday was fabulous. I got a new northface jacket and a nice suitcase - a small one, much needed for weekend trips. Two things I will put into use this weekend when I go to Michigan.

We had Friday off from work for Good Friday. Loved having an extra day off this weekend - I've needed it. I thoroughly enjoy waking up late and enjoying a large mug full of coffee at the kitchen table. The weather was amazingly warm and sunny - YAY for spring. So, I decided to go run errands like get my oil changed and get my picture made for my new passport. And then I went to Fleet Feet in Brentwood to see about arch supports for my running shoes. (My arches have been hurting if I run/walk more than 6 miles.) It turned into a 1.5-hour consultation and I now have new running shoes, arch supports, shorts and some Gu. I LOVE the new shoes ... I feel like I'm running/walking on air, and my arches don't hurt anymore. NO ONE should go running without visiting the friendly staff at Fleet Feet. They will change your life - seriously. The best part, though, is that my new shoes are Nike's and they are Nike+ compatible.

Now, we all know that I LOVE apple products, and I know the Nike + iPod sport kit has been around for a while, but I was sold when she told me that it would track my distance and calories for me. No more driving around trying to figure out how far I need to run to get my miles in. I can just run and my ipod will tell me how far I've gone. I love that the lady comes on over my music and says "you have completed one mile." And then when I've run my best personal distance, Lance Armstrong comes on and congratulates me. I love, love, love technology. I'm pretty sure I'll keep running after the marathon partly because of my new toys. (And it feels great!)

I walked/ran 10 miles yesterday with my friend April. I was OK, except for at the beginning when my foot hurt a little. But thanks to my new shoes and my new arch supports, it quit hurting. We decided to do the 10 miles in Westhaven, a lovely new urbanism development. It made walking more interesting because the neighborhood is so big and the houses are so cute. They even have a walking trail around part of the outside of the neighborhood and I loved that. I think I will go to the walking trail again. I feel good today and my knees are only a little bit achy. I'm starving all the time when I run - especially 10 miles. I burned more than 1,400 calories yesterday. So, April and I treated ourselves to Mellow Mushroom pizza last night. Yum.

Today is family time and more relaxing. Lunch in almost served. Church was great today. I love Jesus and what He did for me! Happy Easter!!

exactly how i feel

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" - Peter Mahe

[HT: Dr. G]