Sunshine Savannah: The Seattle Rock & Roll Half Marathon

Its been a few days since I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon and I can't stop thinking about it. I must still be on a runner's high. I picked up my number and swag bag on Thursday and started to feel really nervous. Its funny how something as simple as a flimsy piece of paper and a set of safety pins can set off such a roller coaster of emotions...I know that sounds silly but this half marathon was something I needed to finish and as a first born and a perfectionist, I needed to finish it with flying colors!

I started the week with a cold and was stuck on the couch on Monday and Tuesday night but that was exactly what I needed to prepare for the 13.1 miles I would be running on Saturday, both physically and mentally. My body rested but it also gave me a chance to come to peace with just finishing, as long as it was under the 4 hour time limit. I decided to give myself a break and just enjoy race day with no pressure. I went on a couple short runs on Wednesday and Thursday and rested on Friday (well, as much as you can rest when you are super excited!). Speaking of Friday......it rained.......ALL DAY....and we had record rainfall. Thankfully, Saturday morning was perfect!

Race day was crazy...from the 6:00am, mile and a half walk to the city center (think Space Needle!) to the estimated 22,000 runners, the bands playing every mile or so, the groups of cheerleaders and random people encouraging runner's along the way...I was completely out of my element and relished every minute of it. I surprised myself and ran the entire way and I finished with a time of 2:20:40. Even though I went into the race that morning not worrying about time, in the back of my head I knew I would be happy with anything under 2:30. If you would have asked me a couple weeks ago if I wanted to keep up with running after the race, I don't know what I would have said. But after the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment I felt on Saturday after I crossed the finish line...I don't know how I could quit.

And what is a post without photos! Erik tried to take a photo of me close to the finish line but I sprinted up to him, gave him a big kiss, and then ran to the end! Thankfully, there were professional photographers throughout the entire race.