Let The Ride Begin!

Ok... here we go!  Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle, and please stay seated the whole time.

So here is my first post! 

It’s only a little over a week before the Philly ING Rock & Roll Half Marathon. Heard about this race at the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon Expo as I went to pick up my race packet. I decided it was something I would look into if and when I crossed the finish line at the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon. I thought immediately when talking to the guy registering people for the race, “Don’t think about it… don’t think about it… - you don’t even know if you’ll make it through the first one” I was on shaky ground with no training except Spinning a few times a week prior to the LHV Half. So I wasn’t too sure I even wanted to think about doing another one of these suckers… I collected the info the guy from the Rock & Roll races gave me and decided to put it out of my mind for the time being.


When I crossed that finish line the very next day at the race, I knew I found a new addiction… There is certainly NOTHING comparable to crossing the finish line at a race that distance. I think I depleted every resource physically, emotionally, and spiritually as I took that last stride over the finish line and in the same moment of tears and disbelief that it was actually me that crossed the finish line, I knew I had to do “THIS” again. I have gotten married to the most amazing man in the world and given birth to a beautiful baby boy both of which are memorable and beautiful moments in my life. The  amazing feelings I felt on those two days are very different from the feeling of completing my first 13.1 miles. I have to say that race was one of my Top 5 happiest moments of my life. It took me by surprise how emotional I became and how shocked I was that I actually did it as I bawled my eyes out and was shaking like a leaf when they put the medal around my neck. If that ain’t a confidence builder for ya….

I was interviewed by my local news station and by the LHV Half Marathon committee and still after getting home and recovering I watched the footage played back and still couldn’t believe that was me. I can’t imagine what it would feel like when someone completes a full marathon or even better - an Ironman. Those are things now that are just out of my grasp, but I wouldn’t rule it out yet… ;)



So I completed the first one in 3:07:21. I am a John Bingham "Penguin" and proud of it. Back of the packer but ran the whole way. My goal for this next race on 9/19/10, is to beat my time. Even if I don’t achieve it, in my heart I know that I dug up the sheer will and determination to do it all again! Great news is, my husband began training this summer for the Philly R&R Half and this will be his first one! I am so proud of how far he has come in his training. He started out saying, “I’ll be lucky if I can run 5 miles” and now he ran 10 miles with me last Saturday!  It was his first long run outdoors among the hilly streets of the LHV. So proud of him!



One of the best parts of marathoning or in my case half marathoning is meeting fellow runners who share the same passion of running. It’s a bonding sport that can be done either on your own or as a group. In my case I like to run alone or with my hubby as long as he keeps his hands to himself… hey… I gotta focus… lol.  Even though I like to run solo, I love meeting new friends on the blogs, on running forums, at the expos, at the night before Pasta Parties, and on race day! It’s the tie that binds us runners together – the pain and determination that pushes us to the other side to victory!

Note: All About The Medal  slogan by One Last Mile Running