Tuesday, September 2, 2008

1 year ago today...

...I completed my first half-marathon!


It was the Champoeg Half-Marathon and it happened to be held at Champoeg State Park the same weekend we were there camping at the all-church camp-out. I decided to run it only 2 weeks beforehand- I'd been running regularly, but certainly not at half-marathon training level, but I had SO much fun doing it! Rick and the kids were there at the starting line, the 2 mile water station, and the finish line- what great motivation knowing my loving family would be there to cheer me on in the final stretch. The only downer to the whole experience was when Rick's iPod died 2 miles into the 13.1 mile run... talk about a boring 11 miles, I was actually singing songs in my head to stay motivated! Also, sleeping in a tent on an air mattress the night before wasn't the greatest pre-race night's sleep I could have gotten.

A few weeks later, I participated in the Portland Komen Race for the Cure. It was only a 5K, but what and who I was running for made it a wonderful experience. I only wish I were able to run it again this year in a couple of weeks! I already have my shortlist of races and fun-runs I want to participate in when I am no longer pregnant. The big one is the Portland Marathon next October and a fun one is Pints to Pasta, a 10K starting at Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. and ending at the Old Spaghetti Factory with beer and pasta at the finish line... that's pretty good motivation too! I find myself completely jealous when I drive by people out pounding the pavement or watch them from my front window. Soon, very soon, it will be my turn...

2 comments:

The Donald said...

Wow, that is so cool you ran a 1/2 marathon. My wife is planning on doing one next year with her family. And while I like to run, I get bored after 3 miles, so a 5K is about as far as I am willing to go.

Oh yes, and you have a beautiful family!

Alaskiana said...

I'm still so proud that you did that. What an accomplishment!