I really pushed myself yesterday and knew it the moment I got up today.  I was sore!

But my friend Sara was running her first half and I told her I would run the race too.

It actually was not so bad. My goal was to finish in 2 hours or less.  I knew I would not beat my first half marathon time, due to my blisters and tired legs, but I just wanted to stay close to that fishing time if at all possible.  I ended up finishing in 1 hour and 57 minuntes.  It was tough!  At mile 5 I started to hurt, mile 7 I got a second wind, and at mile 9 I was falling apart.

But I did it.

And I proved to myself that I am tougher than I thought

Afterwards I snacked on gf bread with melted daiya cheese and kale chips.

And a little while later I had almond milk with muesli, hunk of almond butter and half a sport cookie mixed in.

These sport cookies were quite a find at the race yesterday.

They are made with all organic ingredients as well as being vegan, tasting amazing, and contain 10 grams of protein.  BJ the onwer and baker is going to offer my readers a discount so stay tuned for that offer code soon.

Now I am off to get a massage.

I need it!

•  scouring the internet for upcoming running races
• online shopping for running clothes
• talking to Bill about running
• reading running related books

• and running!  I have been averaging 30 to 35 miles a week

Bill has been running too.  He always makes me go faster.

In fact, I think he has the running bug now too. YAY!

Funny thing is that I have run for years.  But not until this very year of my life have I actually felt like a runner.  I really felt like an imposter posing as a runner.  Running never felt real to me.  I struggled to get out the door.  I looked at running more like a chore that HAD to be done for my clothes to fit, to allow me to eat that dessert, to be able to write in my workout log-run done. 

But now I see it so differently.  I yearn to run.  I feel incomplete if my day does not start out with the pounding of my heart and the satisfaction that I have pushed myself farther than most push all week.  It feels good.  I have done something for myself and made myself a better person for others.  Just by running.  I like that.

I am finally a runner!  And it feels so good.

“Running has taken me in, and continues to comfort, heal and challenge me in all kinds of magical ways. I am not a ‘good runner’ because I am me. I am a good ‘me’ because I am a runner.” – Kristin Armstrong, Author and runner