13.1 Miles Run and Done!

This weekend was my first ever half marathon (13.1 miles). I wasn’t supposed to run my first half until November 24, so I knew going into this run that I was still a little undertrained.

But it was for a great cause–raising money for Autism. And it was a race I could do with my running buddy Eileen, who has tons more experience than me and is just a great person to run with in general.

The run was tough, I’m not gonna lie. First 5 miles or so were good but as the temperature climbed, combined with high humidity (when we finished the run it was in the mid-80s), I was really wishing I had way more than a couple long runs under my belt. Eileen kept encouraging me and was uber-patient with my whining

Then just when it seemed like I

 

couldn’t go one more step, we rounded the last corner. We started running faster and wham, a second later, we were done and celebrating.

It wasn’t a pretty run and it took me about 15 minutes longer than I wanted, but we did it!! Now as I sit here, eating and chilling and icing a very cranky Achilles, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world.

And I’m already looking forward to my next one!

Shirley