run!

It was almost 9 years ago that I first ran in the Twin Cities 10 mile race. In fact, the day before that race, I had my first (blind!) date with Rob. The race was a beautiful course and we ran it in good time, finishing with a lot of pride.

The following year I attempted to train for the Twin Cities Marathon but withdrew my attempts after my knees and ankles couldn't take a 19 mile training run. 

Since then I hadn't run, choosing to do some other form of exercise.

But this summer I got back into it after a friend encouraged me and some others to sign up for the Defeat of Jesse James' Days 15K (9.3 miles) in our college alum town, Northfield. 

The training started off tough with my back injury and the worst cold/flu I had ever suffered. But I got back into it and felt really good about the race. I was definitely ready.

I got up early and headed to Northfield to meet my girlfriends for the big race. We found that it was a small group (only 129 runners!!) and the course would be "challenging".

Challenging is right! It was basically up big hills, down a little, up a gradual hill for half a mile, up a steep hill, straight for miles, ending with more hills all the while looking at cornfields, blue sky and bright sun. There were water stations every 2 miles but that was it for people cheering us on. 

It was a lot more difficult than I expected, but I didn't quit, even after I felt like crying at mile 6. I just kept thinking about how far I'd come with my training and knowing that if I quit, I would regret it. I ran the entire time envisioning the girls and Rob at the finish line cheering me on.

Sarah, me and Maren coming across the finish line.

I finished the race in 1 hour and 33 minutes. Sarah finished a couple of minutes before me and Maren (who had not trained well!) finished after us.

The girls were so excited to see me running towards the finish line and I feel like they were even beaming with pride. It makes me feel good that I'm setting a good example for them; staying healthy, working hard, overcoming adversity and difficulty, and accomplishing big goals. I hope to continue to do this and maybe some day we will be running races together.

I'm really proud of myself and of my girlfriends for being able to take the time for ourselves, to get healthy, to do something that makes us proud. 

While we will not be running this course again (I will be looking for courses that say "flat"), we will be running again soon!