Never Say Never

I think the biggest lesson I have learned over this past year is to never say "never". I started Couch to 5K for the third time (yes, the THIRD time) on May 17th of last year.  I had run a mile or two on the treadmill before that, but I had never really run "on land" before.  I started Couch to 5K with the intent to run a race in July last summer.  For whatever reason, this time I actually stuck it out with the program...probably because I knew there was a goal at the end of the training.  That being said, I fell into a love/hate relationship that has turned into more of a love than hate relationship.  NEVER would I have thought I would be a "runner", and I still don't consider myself as such, but I guess I can't really deny it these days seeing as that is what a good portion of my "me" time is spent doing! That being said, somewhere over the last year I decided it would be a good idea to run a half marathon.  I'm not really sure where I got that genius idea, but I signed up for my first one and let the training begin!  I dragged my friend Missy into this running thing too.  We've been running together since last summer, and we have trained for this whole thing together. It has been a crazy journey, and it really is true what they say about the close friendships you develop through running.  

Jovan and I headed down to Lincoln the night before so I could rest in the hotel with no worries about waking up early and driving the next day. My parents came in town to watch the girls and come offer their support.  We got to Lincoln Saturday afternoon, checked in for the race, did a little shopping at the Expo, ate a light dinner, and turned in for the night at 8!  Just like a kid on Christmas Eve, I had a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night.  I was up bright and early the next a.m., ready to go!  I was a complete ball of nerves, but was getting more excited once we got to the starting line.  It was a chilly start to the morning, but that quickly changed as it became the hottest and most humid day we've had BY FAR this year!

My principal and friend, Jen, and me before the race.  She rocked it out!

My biggest fan and supporter throughout this whole process!

The look you give when your husband insists on taking a picture of you before your race, ha!

My running partner, Missy

Taken at Mile 6 where my "Fan Club" was waiting!  My parents, brother and his family, Jovan & the girls were all camped out at mile 6, and boy were they a sight for sore eyes!  It was so awesome to see them there cheering as loudly as they could!

My face while realizing I still had 7.1 to go, haha!

Best part about this race...getting to run in the stadium and finish on the 50 yard line!

This was not the greatest experience of my life, but like childbirth, it's one that you forget about and are ready to do again once the pain wears off! :) We struggled to get to that finish line, but boy did it feel good once we got there!!!

Just past the finish line selfie

We did it!!!

My friend Kyleen drove from Omaha the minute she got off her 12 hour shift at the hospital!  That's a true friend right there!

Jovan helped the girls to make these shirts.  They had their footprints on them, and the shirts said "Go Mommy Go" and "Run Mommy Run".  This was all a big surprise!  So sweet!

And speaking of sweet, Jovan also surprised me with this bracelet and necklace.  I'm not so much the 13.1 sticker on the back of the car kinda gal, so instead I got surprised with the bracelet that says "thirteen point one" and the necklace that says "live love run 13.1" with a cross.  He wins!

I am sore today, but I am already looking forward to my next half in November!  Hooray for accomplishing things I never thought were possible!