13.1 miles. . . one step at a time

It is official. I did it! It took me 2 hours, 29 minutes and 38 seconds. The goal was under 2.5 hours. In case you haven't figured it out yet, I ran my first (only?) half marathon the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It was the Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, OK. I found about it from a friend in my mom's club (thanks Stephanie) and somehow the notion of completing it and being able to say "I did it" took hold. I started training right after Jason and I got back from our trip to Vegas in May and now it is done! I have NEVER been a runner, and there were times during the training that I wondered what in the WORLD I had signed up for, but now I am HOOKED! I don't know if I'll run 13 miles at one time again, but I have found I really like running, not to mention the great race day atmosphere and all the festivities. Here are a few pictures from the "family weekend" in Tulsa (what a beautiful city! We loved it here!).

Me and my "coach" before the race. During my training, Vaughn and Walker "ran" with me up to about 6 miles.

The starting line. . . I am SOMEWHERE between the signs marked "10 minute pace group" and "11 minute pace group".Vaughn and Jason tried to find me at mile 6 but just missed me. Here I am just after mile 10 - still smiling! Jason and Vaughn took this picture from a skywalk bridge above the street. I just HAPPENED to look up at the last minute and see them! What a pick-me-up. . . just in time to help me finish strong!Just about to cross the finish line. . . the guy pushing the stroller was just steps away from finishing the WHOLE marathon - in less than 2.5 hours - while pushing the stroller! He was trying to set the new world record. I am just glad I am still standing and smiling!My fan club - and two of the biggest reasons I can say I did it. Without Jason's commitment to help me succeed (countless days coming home from work to watch V so I could run)and Vaughn's constant encouragement when he would see me putting my running shoes on (You can DO it, Mommy!), I don't know if I would have seen this through. Thanks boys!A photo-op with my finisher's medalVaughn . . . just minutes after he was strapped in for the ride home! He wasn't the only one who snoozed on the ride. Thanks, Jason, for acting as chauffer!