13.1 miles in a race

 I love that learning and self discovery don't stop as we age.  I have learned more about myself in the last year that I have since I my adolescence years.  Here are a few of my findings about good ol me:

1. I can make time for things I have a passion for.
2. I can heal my aches and pains with dedication and obsessive research
3. I can dig deep. 
4.  I get great pleasure from doing things that I never thought I COULD do.
5.  Friends are those who encourage and help me, and seeing my family can bring joy that is brilliant!

 I broke through my own limitations and ran 13.1 miles!

I started training several months ago, and found that running is not just putting one foot in front of the other.  You have to be willing to fight through the different ailments that will try to stop you.  For me, it was my IT Band, my Achilles, blisters, my calves, and running style (this was just what came up in a few months... imagine if I keep going!).  After some seriously hard work... I got here!

   The race started with over 14,000 people lined up on Front Street in downtown Portland.

  

A little enthused we stared running over the Hawthorne Bridge.

I saw my boys at about mile 5.5, and it was a well needed mental jolt!  Especially for the upcoming relentless hills!

 Then... the rest of the miles.  I saw one other friend on the side lines, and the rest was pounding the pavement and dodging all the people in front of me.  We were in a slower heat and so it was like swimming up river the entire race.  It slowed us down a little. 

 

(The below images are stolen from the internet)

At this point I was certain I was about to die!  I gave it everything I had left in me about 3/4 miles back because the people kept screaming that the finish was around the corner.  First of all, they were lying! Second...3/4 of a mile is a really long way when you're nauseated and going numb!

 

We did it! I barely remember this moment, but I'm smiling!

 

 Then we found our boys waiting for us.  Do I look happy or what? I think this is also when I found out that we ran the race in 2:04.  I'm super happy with that considering the people, hills, and it being our first!

 

Finishing friends are awesome!