post race

I have started this post and re-started this post a few times. I just can't quite capture the direction I want my post-half-marathon-blog-post to go.

I can say....

 ...that it was amazing.

...that the partners I trained with will be my friends for life. Krystal and Courtney were so welcoming during our first runs. They made me feel like I was an important part of their training team. They are the reason I was able to show up to the race with confidence this morning.

...I want to do as many races as possible.

...I had no idea that I was actually capable of training for, and completing, a 13.1 mile race.

...I didn't know that I was capable of running at such a good pace. It was a spectacular feeling every time I heard our pace time.

...I would not have kept such a fantastic pace and positive attitude during my run without my partner Courtney. Her sunny personality was a huge boost as I ran miles 9 through 11.

Courtney and I feeling great and running at a super fantastic pace.

...that I'm lucky to have such a supportive family. And by family I mean my mom, dad, sister, brother, brother in-law, sister in-law, two nephews, my mother in-law, Ann, my mamaw and papaw; as well as Tom, Lily, Drew and Julianna. They followed me throughout my race. They chased me down over and over. They whooped and hollered at me waving signs and making me feel like a super star. My grandparents even drove a couple of hours to be here for my run. I am so lucky.

Tom handing out the bananas.

...I have the best husband. Tom mapped out a timeline of where to meet me and when so that he could be ready for me. He brought us bananas for me to eat. Bananas that I know I couldn't have finished without. At one point when I saw him I yelled, "Do you have a banana in your pocket?!!" And Courtney finished, "Or are you just happy to see us?"

This is the point that David started helping me put one foot in front of the other.

...I would not have finished the race running if it weren't for my uncle David. He pulled me through until the end. David sang to me, boosted my spirits and remained positive when my mind and body had left me at mile 11 and a half. He suggested we finish together - and meant it.We did finish together and I will never forget it.

 See what I mean about supportive, positive people? I couldn't have done it without them.

We made it!