Boulder Half Marathon...

That's me: in the purple shirt and black running skirt. I made it! And I never had to stop and walk!!! (That was my secret goal that I was a little nervous to say out loud to most people, because I just had NO idea if I could really do it....a race double the length of the longest I had ever done prior.) When Brent was taking this picture, I was spotting him and my babies for the first time during the race, and I was so happy to see them (and to be nearly done with my race!) that I started crying. Gavin was so cute cheering me on at the end. One night before the race he asked me, "Mama, are you gonna win?" When I told him "no" and explained that I was actually a rather slow runner, he acted so surprised. That didn't match the storybook tales of success that he was used to. The next night he was processing what I had told him the night before, "You're a slow runner, right Mom?" I guess there's victory for us all in true humility. That's what Jesus said.

I really was/am so proud of myself. It felt like a big accomplishment to cross the finish line after running 13 miles without stopping. I still remember the point during the race when it occurred to me, "I think that I can do this!" It's so true that much of an event like this is mental.

Andrea and I started together, but she left me in the dust after the first mile. We were both proud of our accomplishments, though, and genuinely proud of each other, and that felt good. It was a beautiful day to run outside, enjoy the scenery and enjoy the time to myself. I'm so glad that I did it! I give thanks to God that He gave me the arms and legs to be able to do it. (This is starting to sound like an acceptance speech given right after I put on that medallion I'm wearing up there, isn't it?)