"You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I DID IT!! I completed the half marathon on Sunday (all 13.1 miles!) and couldn't have done it without your support and encouragement. We lucked out with the weather too - it poured rain on Saturday and Monday but the weather couldn't have been better on Sunday ... hurray! It was such a beautiful run among the redwood trees, rivers and creeks. The day before the run, we drove the route of the half marathon to see what we were getting into! Check out the photo - so beautiful!
Below are a couple photos of me and the fam trying to get amped up right before the run. My sisters and I all bought what we refer to as our "running earrings" the day before the run. I found out through my aunt Vicki's best friend, Nancy, that Vicki would always change her earrings to her "running earrings" before she'd go running. Aunt Vicki lost her battle to cancer 2 1/2 years ago and we miss her so much. In her memory, my sisters and I bought our "running earrings" and plan to wear them every time we run.
The run started at 9 am sharp. A samba band played at the starting line to help amp up the runners. It was fun. Shortly into the run, runners started to encourage one another saying things like "Great job!" or "Keep it up!" or "Looking good!". All the Team in Training participants would shout "Go Team!" to other Team in Training runners. There was great energy and encouragement all around which I'm sure helped a lot of people reach the finish line (I know it helped me!).
My dad and sister, Adria, reached the finish line in no time. They partnered up, ran together and rocked it - I was so proud! Oscar and my lil sister, Danielle completed the journey with me - and we all did it! =)
A crowd of people gathered round to cheer finishers through the finish line. As I got closer, I thought of those who have survived cancer, those currently battling it, and those who've lost their lives to the battle. I thought of my aunt Vicki, my dad, my grandma, and so many others affected by this powerful disease. I thought of the patients receiving services and the cancer research being supported by the money I've raised with your generous donations. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support!
It was so exciting and emotional crossing that finish line. Shortly after I finished, I saw Amara (along with my mom, dad, and Adria). She had such a huge smile on her face! Thanks to Jeanine, Amara just learned how to give "high five". I ran up to her, gave her a big kiss and asked her to give me high five which she did laughing - such a perfect way to end the half marathon. It was such an amazing feeling of accomplishment and to have completed the run with my family was even more exciting. Oh yeah, we got some pretty medals for completing the run too!
After the run, everyone was extremely relaxed on the drive home (half were asleep!). Once we got home, I stretched, showered (man did that feel good), and then enjoyed some homemade margaritas and guacamole, chips, and salsa with the family on my parents' back deck (followed by a yummy dinner!). We went to bed around 9 pm that night and were out like lights.
I've already been asked what event I am going to run next - ha! I enjoy running shorter distances and feel it's easier on me physically than the long distance runs. I don't know if I'll do a half marathon again (I'm not ruling it out) but I am planning to do a 10k run (about 6 miles) in Santa Cruz at the end of July.
"There will be days you don't think you can run a marathon. There will be a lifetime of knowing you have."
~ Unknown
