Running 13.1 Miles

There is something magical about running 13 miles.  Each time I complete the distance, whether in a race or in a training run, I feel like I have truly accomplished something.  Today my mom and sister completed a 13.1 mile run for the first time.  It was very hot and humid by the time we completed our runs, but that just made the accomplishment feel even greater and hard won.  I am excited about the next half marathon race in 2 weeks.  I am hoping it is not as hot and humid as it was today, so I can hopefully achieve a new personal best.  The course is much flatter than the GO! St. Louis, so I should be able to improve on my time.  Dave has recovered enough to complete a 12 mile run today, and he is planning to run with me for most or all of the next half, so I can reach a new milestone.  I am looking forward to my mom and sis completing their first "official" half on June 9.  Again, hoping for better temps than today.  I do not think I will be getting a personal best if the temps and humidity are too high.  There is something about running in extreme cold, extreme heat, or rain that again makes me feel powerful and like I have overcome an additional obstacle.

I am now signed up to run in my first full marathon on December 1.  Dave and I will be running in the St. Jude's Memphis Marathon.   I have been trying to select a marathon, and I initially planned on doing the Bass Pro Marathon in Springfield, MO, but then I saw this one.  We will have to start training the last week of our vacation, but that should be okay.  I'm nervous about the increased distance, and completing all of my training throughout the first semester of the school year, but I'm not getting any younger so there is no time like the present to give 26.2 a try.  I never really had a "bucket list".  When I started running in February 2011, I intended to run a 5K and a 10K with the possibility of a half.  I feel so much stronger and healthier a little over a year later.  I'm hoping I can stay healthy and injury free as I reach for this next level.