Bucket List Item Checked Off!

Anyone remember this post?  On July 22, I shared that I was planning to run the St. Jude Half Marathon.  It was a big goal to me and at the time I thought I was a crazy person...and that December 4 was really far away.  Some 5 months later, I have found a love for running that I thought I would never have and I have completed my first half marathon!  I followed my training plan from "Smart Coach" offered through runnersworld.com (thanks Becca!).  This plan gave me a great schedule to follow and kept me accountable.  Thanks to everyone who encouraged me in my running and an even bigger thanks to those who ran with me to get me to this point!  I couldn't have done it without you! 

 I was really nervous, anxious, and excited going into race day, but it was a blast!  I couldn't believe how the miles were flying by.  There were definitely my moments of fatigue and hurt, but it was all worth it in the end to run to the finish line in the Redbirds stadium, especially with Mary Renfroe, the newly engaged Elizabeth Butler, and Jill Horton by my side!  I coudn't have done it without these girls.  It meant so much to have Jesse and Kelley there at the finish line to celebrate with me. I'm taking the week off to rest, but I'll be hitting the pavement next week to continue running.  I feel like I have finally gotten to the point that I really love it and need it in my week.  I would like to continue running 6-10 miles a week until I decide what to train for next. 

That night, we celebrated the finish of the race and my 24th birthday at the Doodle Noodle and Beauty Shop in Memphis!  Before leaving Memphis on Sunday, we filled up on Cracker Barrel breakfast then came home to decorate the Christmas tree and bake cookies.  It was a great birthday weekend with a bucket list item checked off!  However, I had to make a trip to the doctor's office today to get some antibiotics to knock out a cold that I think came from the cold weather running... planning on a week of rest this week!