Wow.

With the help of my super-supportive husband, as well as my good friend, Mandi, and my Mom & Dad, I have been training to do my first half marathon.  These awesome people not only have allowed me the time to run, but are also encouraging when the going gets tough, checking in on my progress and giving me the strength I need to get back out there.

It's been a tough road.  I've been especially struggling the last few weeks as the mileage has increased.  It doesn't help that it's pitch dark out most every morning when I'm out pushing to put one foot in front of another.  And, to top it off, my partner in crime, the person I was going to run the 1/2 marathon with, had to bail as her father-in-law rudely scheduled his wedding on the same weekend.  I know.  The nerve.  Needless to say, I've been pretty down on myself, negative about the whole process, sure that I'd never get my zest for running back up to where it was.

This week I went to the Running Room and discussed my issues, and I was given some tips to get me over the 13-14K "hump".  Tips in hand, today I had my darling husband drop me off in Dieppe so I could run home.  It was overwhelming the difference in this run than any of my previous ones.  For one, I had never used energy chews or gels much before.  Crazy, I know!  Now I know why this is such a big industry!  I rocked this 18K.  No issues.  No problems.  Just an awesome, amazing, steady & strong run.

The icing on the cake?  Finding my darling husband at the end of my route, carrying our beautiful daughter on his shoulders -- both of them cheering on this week's accomplishment.  It was so exhilarating, I admit I got a bit choked up.

This run changed my outlook, from start to finish.  Valley half, here I come.  And I'm gonna kick your ass!