So last weekend I ran my first ever marathon. My brother ran with me and we finished with a time of 4 hours 7 minutes and 28 seconds. It was actually a blast minus a couple of miles toward the end. Artie and Meggan were able to see us about 7 times, which was really cool. I also had a few friends from my lifegroup who came out to see me run. We ran all over the city of Denver.

Although it was a long run, took a lot out of me, and I'm still sore... it was a goal that I set for myself a long time ago that I needed to accomplish this before I'm 30. I did it!!! It was so satisfying finishing. When I crossed the finish line there were so many emotions running through me that I didn't know what to do. But, I did get some really nasty blood blisters on my feet. The one on my left foot actually popped and blood was seeping through my shoe. I felt it pop around mile 16 or 18... by that time, they're all the same :) haha. I never said anything to my brother though and we kept up a nice pace.

For the first half marathon we ran anywhere between an 8:30 and an 8:45 pace and then when we hit mile 13 until mile 22 we ran about a 9:15-9:30 mile pace. Then I HIT THE WALL... It is absolutely insane when you hit the wall. My body just didn't want to move, run, or stop. (how does that happen?) I didn't stop though, not even while I was drinking water or cytomax. Some of it got all over me a few times. Although I felt so great running a marathon, was so proud of myself, and didn't beat 4 hours, I am not sure if I will ever do another one. Maybe it's one of those things that I need to forget about the pain and then maybe I can think about it again. The training was a lot though. It was great during the summer when I had all the time in the world to run, it was gorgeous out, and I could just lay out at the pool when I was finished. Once school started back up it became harder and harder to train. At the beginning of the year I could get up around 5:20 and be running by 5:35 and it was just beginning to get light. But then as the year went on (and fall started) it was not as light out anymore. I had a difficult time running before school in the dark, #1 because it was dark, #2 because it was dark, and #3 because I don't feel 100% safe on the path I run on, let alone while in the dark.

I would love to do some more rock 'n roll events. There weren't as many bands as I thought there'd be, but it was still a lot of fun to hear quick bits of songs as I was running. I am an "ou-natural" runner and don't use an i-pod or any other form of music, so it was a change of pace. There is a half marathon in Providence next August that I'm considering, but it all depends on whether or not we can go there, when school starts, and so much more. Half marathons are much easier to train for and much easier to enjoy on the legs.

I'm just trying to figure out what my next step or goal in life should be. It's a little difficult when I was running for about 10 weeks, then full-on training for 18 weeks, and now that's over. I almost don't know what to do with myself.

My sister-in-law is having a baby in about 5 weeks, and I can't wait. Another niece or a nephew, we don't know! I love when people make it a surprise.

I have just finished up my first class in my master's career today. I am starting my next class tomorrow. There's a lot of work to do with it all, but my school is paying for the first three classes and so that means I'd only need to pay for 9 more courses to complete my master's. And I get to pay the same discounted amount that my school is paying for the first three as long as I stay in my school district and don't take too much time off after the first three classes. I'm kinda excited to obtain it. I never thought I'd want to get my master's, but now that I've started I am really excited! I hope I can take at least 1 course at the end of the school year, at least 2 courses over the summer, and then hopefully take 4 during the course of the next school year, then I'd only need 2 more the following summer.

Well, that's about all for now. I seem to not write a lot then come one a write a huge long blog. haha, oh well.