Grand Rapids Half Marathon

Walking to the start
Excited!



Here we go!

Amost done!

Heading to the finish....

Done!

Finisher Medal!

Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon

I think I could write a book about today's experience. But the reality is it wouldn't do it justice. Its just far to personal an experience. Lots of neat things happened and I had a great time going over the run with Sandor and the boys but there's just no way to put it all in words. All in all it was an amazing experience and even makes me consider doing a full marathon some day.
The weather was great. Cool but clear and sunny. The route was good, pretty flat with only a few slight hills. The aid stations were great. The whole event was really well put together.
Its amazing to see some 3000 runners in one place. It neat to see that runners come in all different shapes and sizes, they all run differently (some with short, quick strides and others with long ones, some with loud steps and others almost silent steps) and they all seem to love running.
I tested my endurance...I pushed farther than I ever had. I cried, I laughed, I revelled, I made it to the end. I had to remind myself more than once that if I had 4 babies with no pain meds I can do THIS! And I was right. I ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 35 seconds.
All the miles and months of training paid off. And in so many ways others have shared a part...Sandor first and foremost for Saturday after Saturday making it possible for me to get out and run for long periods of time, for supporting me and for buying me great running shoes! THANKS! My big boys who ran training runs with me and cheered on the sidelines at events. Thanks too to others who watched the kids for me or helped in some other way (Mel...Flirt with Dirt!) so I could train...and especially for the event itself. Thanks for keeping Tim and Sarah last night, Laura! You all made it possible for me to enjoy something important to me. I am so very blessed.