Standing in a pack of thousands, waiting for the start, I wondered again.
And at mile 11, I really wondered what made me think I could ever run a half marathon.
But on the other side of it, completely stiff and sore -- you should see me hobble downstairs -- I am absolutely astounded and amazed that I ran 13.1 miles at 7 a.m on a Saturday.
If you would have asked me a year ago if I thought I would have ever run a half marathon, I might have laughed. Why run that far and for that long?
I can answer that now.
Training and completing a half marathon has give me a small high on achieving goals -- I feel like there a lot of things that I can accomplish, if I really train and prep for it.
Running is also partially therapy for me. I don't run with music but just let my thoughts go with my feet, and that time now feels necessary. And I have to say honestly that the days that I run are often so much better -- there's something to be said for runner's highs!
The half-marathon was also fun. It was a perfect, sunny day with crowds lining the streets and bands playing every mile. I ran along an interstate, through a park lined by million dollar homes and on a major highway that crests up through skyscrapers, giving views of the moutains, Sound and cityscape.
And when I finished, I ate a huge stack of buckwheat-wholewheat huckleberry pancakes covered with wild blueberries, raspberries, fresh whipped cream and honey syrup and felt so good about every bite.
The crazy thing is that I think I'm going to run another. Portland, see you in October for the next 13.1.
xo, erika
linking up to Blair for life lately!
congrats! that sounds like an insane run!
ReplyDeletekw ladies in navy
Yay! So glad it went well. Half marathons are so fun! Although I don't know if I'll ever do a full! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you! Glad your ankle held up and you finished ;) and I'm totally impressed you're already planning on another one!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!! I'm still totally freaked out by my 15K trail run in October. Of course, I'm training for it--some days are awesome and some days make me feel like I'm making too little progress. The heat and humidity aren't helping either. Boo summer! ;)
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! Congratulations Erika!! I'm so proud of you!!! xoox
ReplyDeleteawwww you go girl!!! soo proud of ya!!
ReplyDeletexo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
Wow! Good for you, that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, girl! I only run 2 miles, 3 times a week, and it is exhausting in the midst of it (though I'm sure nothing like a half marathon ;), but I feel so good afterwards.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up!
Way to go! You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteway to go girl!! I was thinking about you saturday! I ran my first half marathon a few years ago and I want to do another one. It was such a good feeling to know I had accomplished something I never thought I would do.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is inspiring!! Good for you, that is an amazing feat! And hey, I'll be living in Portland by then! :o
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I want to do this so badly someday. By the way, was this for the Solstice celebration in Fremont? Because I was having coffee at Milstead at that time and waved at the runners on my way there :)
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