I ROCKED 26.2 Miles!!!!

I can't believe I have accomplished this great task and goal! It has been so hard on my kids, husband and I. This would be difficult for anybody but when you add kids, husband, work, callings and other responsibilities to the mix it makes it that much more difficult to train. I have been blessed with great supportive people around me, I could not have done this on my own.

(Me, Maricela and Ben after the race)

Maricela and her BIL Ben also participated in the race and all of Maricela family was there to support us. (We had a fabulous weekend in San Diego... I will post about our adventures on a later post). I am not very familiar with San Diego, so that helped me not know how far I had to go or where I was. I was so nervous all morning, I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to finish. There were several bands and lots of cheerleaders and LOADS of people handing out water, food, snacks, otter pops and Cytomax. It was overwhelming at times, to see complete strangers look at you and see that you needed that bit of a push and their encouraging words were wonderful to hear. There were lots of people dressed up in funny looking outfits. At one point as we were running through Down Town, I saw two people dressed up in Star Wars costumes. One was dressed up at Chewy (FYI- That is Leah's nickname) and the other one was dressed up in a Darth Vader costume, it made me think of my kids at home. I know that in the future they will be so proud of me and perhaps we will run a marathon together :)

(The course map)

There were several times where the run got hard. We had to run on the freeway for like 5 or 6 miles and the freeway was tilted to the left so it made it hard to run for that long on a non-straight road. We also had one mile of down hill that was killing my legs. I also had a hard time when I got to mile 22.5 because you go down one side of the road and back up on the other, I just wanted to run on that road once NOT down it and back up! I knew I only had a few more miles to go and I also knew it was possible. I had planned in my mind before the race that I was going to approach the race in segments. I focused on the first 13.1 miles, once I got there I told myself I could run six more and then three more and then the home stretch. Focusing on the smaller numbers made it easier on my mental strength. At mile 23ish a lady handed me water and I must have looked like I was about to loose it, she said "You got this! Way to go!" She was right, I got this! As we arrived at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (that is where the race finished), seeing those men in their uniforms was the best thing EVER. I knew the end was near!

(Me at mile 5ish. running through Down Town)

There were tons and tons of people there rooting for us! It was amazing! The journey has been long and hard, but so SO worth it. Just as our journey of life is. It is long and hard, but worth it! It is seriously indescribable how I felt and how I feel now. I really feel like I can accomplish ANYTHING!

I finished in 4hrs. 44mins. and 45sec. ..... I FINISHED!!!

I am incredibly thankful for my husband, kids, mom, running partners, and friends for helping me through this amazing journey. The encouraging words, the early mornings with the kids while I went on a training run, the free babysitting and most of all your support. I seriously could not have done this with out you. I am also thankful to my Father in Heaven for giving me this body, even these amazing chicken legs, so that I can run a marathon! THANK YOU ALL!!! My heart is so full!