Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember. --Oscar Levant: "One day you will not be able to do this! TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY!"

The title of this blog entry was written on a sign at the 2011 Chicago Half Marathon just before the turn around point at mile 8ish. The lady holding the sign was holding it high for everyone to see. As I read the words it brought tears to my eyes. I knew that in another few miles I would have that medal around my neck and this journey would be a memory. Who would have ever thought, that I would be a half marathoner. In my wildest dreams I never imagined how much running would transform my life.

Recap of the weekend....
My husband and my friend Ashley would be running the race with me and staying over in Chicago for the weekend. My other friend Angie would be meeting us the day of the race to run it also. Des, Ashley and I all headed into Chicago Saturday morning to go to the Expo at Navy Pier. It was so fun picking up the packets and being surrounded by all the other runners. We ate lunch at the Pier and then headed to our hotel. That night we went to Italian Village for some last minute carbs!

That night I organized and reorganized my stuff over and over. I was a nervous wreak. I had nightmares the nights leading up to this that I forgot things or was late. I set my alarm for 4 am, as I wanted to make sure my breakfast had time to process before the long run. I felt like I slept really well and I wasn't as nervous the day of the race. We all hopped in a taxi and arrive at the start line just as they were starting to close the streets off for the race. We meet up with Angie and did gear check. Then headed back to the porta potties for a few more last minute nervous bathroom breaks.

We all walked over to our starting corrals. It was very organized and easy to find out where we needed to be. We all anxiously got ready with our music on and listening to the Star Spangled Banner. Eventually we all stopped talking to each other and gave each other the look of this is it!!!

With 3 minutes remaining until the gun shot..they allowed the wheeling 1/2 marathoners go. The line and crowd in the corrals tightened up and we moved forward and got squeezed in a bit. We started walking a bit then stopped and then next thing you know we are running. I remember thinking ummm I only want to run 13.1 lets not waste it here. Then we are a few feet from the start and we all stop and then...its time...there is the real start line...and boom we are off. It took us about 4 minutes to get to the start line.

Here is how my miles played out.....my goal was a 10 minute pace until mile 10, then depending on how my body felt go all out the last three mile...well as you can see I didn't have enough left in the tank!! I gave it all tho!

Mile 1 - 10:20
Mile 2 - 10:06
Mile 3 - 10:08
Mile 4 - 9:51
Mile 5 - 10:21
Mile 6 - 10:01
Mile 7 - 10:02
Mile 8 - 11:22 (had to walk for a bit as I drank water was starting to get really hot out...race changed to a yellow flag...this sort of scared me!)
Mile 9 - 10:43
Mile 10 - 11:40 (Here came my wall)
Mile 11 - 12:39
Mile 12 - 12:48***Hardest Mile was from 11 to 12
Mile 13.1 - 14:09

This gave me a total of an 11:01 pace (still proud of that)
and a time of 2:24:16!!!!

I felt so good until mile 8. I tried every mental trick I new the last three miles of this race, but my body simply wouldn't push me any faster than it was...... My goal was until 2:30...and I smashed that. The 12 weeks had prepared me, but honestly seeing the ambulance and feeling like wow I can't push too hard that was the best I could do. I had no more to give after I crossed the finish line.

As I did it felt amazing. Seeing the signs people held up and all those high fives. I am in love with Chicago and they way all the fans made me feel that day. It was so uplifting. After the race we met up with Ashley who too had met her goal time. Angie texted me and she too had finished. We all joined Des as the group of half marathoners.

I am already looking for my next goal, my next adventure...I am sad this one is over, but I will be running more half marathons...and yes one day this once non runner will be a marathoner!!!

I started this entry out telling about my favorite sign.....some other ones that made me laugh include,
"Don't Poop....Out!" "That looks hard....that's what she said!" "Run Stranger Run!" "Do Epic Shit!"

Enjoy the pictures! I have more to say about this experience but this is it for right now......
Amanda :)