In the 102 days since my last post I have completed 7 races, including one 5k, one 10k, three half marathons, my first Ragnar, and my first full marathon. That's a total of 89.54 miles of running adventures.


Its been an interesting journey so far, and with my first out of state race just 5 days away, it's looking like its gonna be a grat year of memories as well.


LA Marathon - 3/15/15: I decided to commit to LAM only in January, even though I had already been "training" for 2 months and had told a couple people that I really wanted to do it. Because I had quite a few busy Saturdays, I had to miss running club.  This means I did the majority of my long runs alone on Sundays, and man was that brutal!! As if running for 4 hours straight wasn't bad enough, having to do so alone in my own brain was downright torture. On more than one occasion, I might add.


As it turned out, marathon day was super hot. So much so that the race directors decided to forego timing devices along the course, so that people would slow down and not worry about time. As a first time marathoner, I was guaranteed a PR so I took that as a gift and promised to really enjoy the race. And I did! I enjoyed a chili cheese dog at Mile 6, did a silent cheer at mile 16, which officially marked the farthest I had run up to that point, took pictures of funny signs, talked to fellow runners, and was ecstatic when I hit the IERC tent at Mile 20, where my parents were volunteering. I realize now that I barely remember anything that was said during those few minutes spent getting a snack, soda, and an icy towel, but I do remember my madre telling me that I looked really good and nothing like how I looked after my first half (where, TMI, I threw up Excorcist-style on the side of the freeway and couldn't walk for 2 days after). I think at that moment I knew I could finish the race. Yes, it took until Mile 20 for that to finally become a reality for me. I knew that I could walk the entire race and be fine. But if I did that then the course would be closed, and although I would get a medal, I wouldn't get that finish line experience that every runner lives for. Mile 20 was the high point of the race for me.


And then the race sucked until Mile 23, lol. There were some hills and no shade. I just remember those miles being completely awful. And then 23 hit and I ran my little heart out until the finish line. Turning that last corner onto Ocean Ave was one of the best feelings in the world. I crossed the finish line, got my medal, took my pictures, and then found a place to sit down and process. My parents were on their way to the reunion area and my best friend was on her way there as well. I took a few minutes to read all the text messages, Instagram and Facebook comments, which were so sweet and encouraging.  I think during that half hour I was on auto-pilot.  I was exhausted, but in the best possible way, and felt like i was still running on adrenaline. 


I eventually met up with my parents and bestie.  My dad gave me a hug, handed me some lovely roses, and asked, "So are you gonna do it again next year?"  Umm, not the time to ask, Dad!!!  I told him to ask me the next day.  (PS, still don't have an answer for that...)


My bestie and her husband bought me a beer, which was probably the best thing I'd tasted all day.  Also, it meant the world to me to have her there to congratulate me after such a huge accomplishment.  I couldn't do all the races I do without the support and encouragement of my friends.  They are my biggest fans and cheerleaders.  They don't make me feel silly for dreaming big or ever ask, "are you sure you can do that?"  I tell them I want to run a marathon, they're all for it.  I tell them I want to run a half marathon in all 50 states, they say, "Awesome, what concert is in town that weekend?  Let's coordinate!"  If you don't have awesome friends like that then I suggest you reevaluate your friends.  Seriously.  I mean that with love. 


<3