2 hr. 5 min.

Two hours and five minutes doesn't seem like a long period of time, right? Sometimes when watching a good movie, or shopping in a favorite store, 2 hours and 5 minutes passes all too quickly. However recently, I experienced 2 hours and 5 minutes in a much different light. Every minute was felt and accounted for. Every minute was endured but somehow still enjoyed. Recently, I spent 2 hours and 5 minutes running my first race...13.2 miles, a half-marathon. And yes, we did run the entire 2 hours and 5 minutes...no walking...no breaks.  At the finish line, a wave of emotion came over me as my husband and children were there to cheer me on.  The realization of what was accomplished hit me. All those early mornings (sometimes even in the 4 am hour); the extra lunges and sit-ups; running in 90+ degrees; and giving up hours of Florida sunshine on the beach to hours on the treadmill...all paid off. The feeling of setting a goal and actually accomplishing it was exhilirating! And my biggest thought about it all is this: If I can do it, anyone can!!  I've never been a runner and really, I'm not built to be one either . I think back to where I started a few years ago, not even being able to run 1 mile without stopping. I've definately come a long ways. So my point is, all it takes is commitment, dedication and a desire to do something and the possibilities are endless. For so long, I've put aside working towards goals because I thought it was impossible. With the many demands of being a mom, wife, sister, friend, neighbor, nurse, visiting teacher, cub scout leader, primary teacher, etc, etc, who has time to do the extra stuff! This experience has really motivated and taught me that I can and should set goals in other areas of my life, and that hopefully I will achieve them.

Here are some pictures from the race. I can't say enough about my running partner/friend/motivator, Brittany. Knowing that she would be standing on the corner at 5 am got me out of bed each morning. Knowing that she was more sleep-deprived than me (yes, she ran even with a newborn!), and knowing that she was not going to let this opportunity pass us up were all the reasons that I accomplished this goal. I couldn't have done it without her!