2:29:35

What an amazing journey I have had since September 2009. A post came across my facebook page asking if anyone was interested in running the 1/2 marathon in January. I thought...sure why not...that would be so fun! So I signed myself up. As the weeks past a friend of mine decided to hold a kick off meeting for all the people who should interest in joining our training team. When we started there were 75 women. My first race was on Halloween and I ran a 5k. My time was 36 minutes for 3.1 miles. I decided that was pretty good, but I wanted to up my speed so I needed to really get my but in gear and start training. So running I went...on my treadmill and outside each week. Sunday's were my long run days and I would meet up with some of the girls from our training team, The Sole Sisters. My next race was on December 20th...a 10 mile. We left Prescott Valley that morning at 5a.m. and Shawn drove me down to the start line. I was excited and nervous...because it was the first 10 mile run I did. My time was 1:54. I was very proud...my goal for that was to come in at 2 hours, so I beat it by 6 minutes. My friend Andrea also ran a 10 mile run that day, but at a different location and she got the same time as me. Her and I trained for the 1/2 together...so I was excited to know we got the same time! Then came the holidays...no running, lots of eating...oh no what am I doing? Stop eating all that junk food and get your butt back on gear. So another 10 miles we did...and then another. The week before the race i did not get in any running at all. I was so nervous come race day. I did not think I would be able to do it. My stomach was turning, there were so many people. We crammed into our corral...number 13...and waited to approach the start line. When the blow horn went off...everyone darted out...the first mile came and went so fast...we were on pace for 10 minute miles...too fast for us to start with so we slowed down a bit. The only time we walked was to get water...it is very hard to run and drink at the same time. Six miles came and went, then 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12...then that last mile seemed like forever. We started to see all the crowds of people...our pace started getting quicker and quicker...every corner we turned we just wanted it to be the end. God, you are amazing...you lifted me through my training and kept my spirits high for this fantastic race day...please God show me the finish line...then the crowds got larger and larger, the official photographers of the race were overhead taking pictures...where is the dang finish line...then there it was, Andrea and I looked at each other, smiled big and took off! Yes, we sprinted like hell to the finish line! I was tearful and excited and EXHAUSTED! We did it...our time was 2:29 35. Sixteen minutes faster than what our goal was. We high fived each other, got our water and waited in line for pictures, and food. Yes FOOD!! We could not wait to eat! Shawn and my dad and Zach were there when we finished. We waited for our other Sole Sisters to come in and join us celebrate our accomplishments! Through this training I was able to overcome an addiction that was hard for me to let go of, and grow closer to Christ. My walk with Christ is incredible now. He is amazing and I LOVE talking to him as I am running. Thank you Lord for making this the most amazing time.

Here is Andrea and I at the Expo on Saturday...don't we wish our time was 2:03! :)

My sister and I rockin' out like Elvis!

Andrea and I after the race!

Jeni, Brenda, Christie, Andrea, Me, and Andrea....a few of the Sole Sisters.

A few more of the Sole Sisters...come race day there were actually only 24 girls who ended up racing! Way to go!! I am ready for my next 1/2 on June 6th in San Diego...we are going to Rock and Roll in my 30th by running a 1/2...well I am going to run...my family will be there waiting and cheering me on!!