I DID IT!!!!!

I'm sorry, but I have to take a minute to brag.....I completed my 1st 1/2 marathon this morning. Granted, I can barely walk, however, I have never felt so exilerated and proud in my life. I have only run 8 miles without stopping before (and only once) so, this was a huge challenge. I got out there about 4:45am and the race started at 6am. There were soooo many people, I had no idea! Everyone was so supportive and I found my little niche of runners at my pace. We helped each other along, bitched together, and chatted (as long as we could before getting winded). There were times when I wanted to stop, puke, yell, etc. but, the crowd helped me through. The last straight away was so exciting! Everyone was cheering and one girl, about my age caught up to me and it became an all out sprint! It was awesome!!!! I finished at 1:47:06. I never even thought I would finish so this was a wonderful surprise. After my congratulatory banana and Gatorade, however, I began to get exceptionally tight. I tried to stretch, but to no avail. I could barely even walk to my truck to get my sweatshirt. I was freezing, my lungs hurt (still working on that quitting smoking thing) and I thought my pelvis was going to fall out of my body. I sat on the ground near the finish line and watched others run through. That's when I realized why I wanted to do this in the first place. The pride and feelings of accomplishment were beaming off the faces of the runners. The energy of the place was phenomenal. I have never seen people so happy to be running their butts off at 6am before and having such a good time! We all were in obvious pain and exhausted, but it was the best feeling in the world. Before, during, and after the race was the most rewarding experience I have had in a long, long time. I think I've caught the runner's bug. I love the community, the challenge, and the training. Thanks to everyone on this site for your support. Just reading the forum helps me associate with everyone else's situations and I am beginning to relate. Hopefully, my next test will be a tri and I will have the same great experience. OK, I'm done.

Edited by LauraBeth 2003-11-08 2:59 PM