Running a Half Marathon

I always thought "they" were crazy.

Who in the world would want to run further than a few miles?

Not I...well, in a way I did.

In my mid twenties, I started jogging.

Nothing big, a couple of miles about 4 times a week.

I stopped for a while.

Trying to get pregnant & jogging didn't fit well together.

It wasn't even a thought until about 1.5 yrs after the kids were born.

Of all months to start, I decided July was the best.

Don't ask me why my brain thought July.

Guess if I could run during one of the hottest months

of the year, I would maybe stick with it.

I did well for a while.

Ran about 2.5 miles per day, 4-6 times a week.

But once again, had to stop.

This time the culprit was the knee.

So I substituted w/ Jillian.

But it just wasn't the same.

So again, I chose July to start running.

2.5-3.5 miles.

I was upping the mileage.

And then Diana came in to my life.

She is my BRB (best running buddy).

She is the reason I go on days I don't feel like it.

But best of all, we motivate ONE ANOTHER to keep going.

We started tackling the miles.

3 miles 3 times a week & then a longer jog on Fridays.

There was talk of signing up for a 10k.

By that point, we were running a 10k on Friday runs.

It wasn't a challenge.

Then she proposed a half marathon.

I didn't even hesitate.

And so our training began.

5-6 times a week with our long runs on Fridays.

February 19th was the day.

We were more than prepared.

Even came up with costumes to run in.

Aren't we cute?

The race started at 7:30.

Needless to say, we weren't competing, just trying to finish.

Our goal time was 2:08, the average time

for a woman in the 35-39 age category.

It was great.

We chatted along the way.

Enjoyed the others around us.

And finally finished.

I ran 2:05:05.

Diana ran just over 2:08.

We did it!

All along I thought it was a joke.

The drinking beer part, after a race.

It ain't so.

It is tradition.

And I enjoyed a couple of glasses.

In case you are wondering about the beer...

"“Beer contains predominantly water and carbohydrate, both of which are essential in post-race recovery,” she says. “A recent study at Granada University in Spain found that the sugars, salts and bubbles in a pint can help athletes absorb fluids more quickly than rehydrating with water."

We had already discussed it.

Agreed to get ink after the run.

To commemorate our accomplishment.

And there it is.

Totally worth it.

Not painful.

Every time I see it, I smile.

Mission accomplished.

This triplet momma ran a half marathon.

In case you are wondering, yes...we will train for another.

And when our kids go to school, we plan on training for a full marathon.

Why not?
It is only another 13.1 miles?!?