Steamboat Challenge

I keep thinking I need to blog about the Steamboat 1/2 marathon, after all it's been 4 weeks, I should be ready.  It's not something I really want to think about it again.  Just kidding.  Well, maybe.  

Overall it was a good experience.  Like birthing pains.  You forget the farther you are from the event.  

I didn't train for it right.  I trained in the hills, but I had the hardest part of my run at the end.  So by the end of my training runs, I still had lots of energy.  

Steamboat mountain was at mile 4.  I really rocked the mountain.  Ran 90% of it.  Ran the whole way down (much harder than you think).  

By mile 6, I'm questioning what just happened.  

Mile 8 comes and I distinctly remember uttering an inappropriate word.  Or two.  I'm pretty sure the lady behind me seconded my thoughts.  

Mile 9 comes and I see more hills.  More inappropriate words.  Just no energy to utter them. 

Mile 10

Mile 11

 

Mile 12  This was on the main road into Buffalo Gap.  A man honked at me.  I can't recall if I just thought about telling him he was number one with my middle finger, or if I really did it.  Lord, please forgive me if I did.  

Mile 13  I see where I started, but there is no finish line.  I see the president of the Abilene Runner's Club waving me to the new finish line.   I did not think his chuckle at my "are you serious" comment was appropriate.  I see my dear friend with her camera, pointing me to keep running into the campground.  In a circle.  I almost lost it.  I almost crossed the finish line crying and uttering soap-in-mouth appropriate words.  

But I did it.  I crossed that line.  I saw WATER.  I saw my babies.  

I was 6th to last of the 1/2ers.  I was a minute and 41 seconds over my last 1/2 time, the time I was determined to beat.  I definitely had the most wobbly bits and junk in my trunk than all the other runners.    I'm not ripped, stacked, thin or buff.  

I can focus on all my failures in that race.  But I'm not.  

If anything, during this journey, I've learned to be proud of myself. 

I AM a finisher.  I DID conquer the $&*^@&$^% mountain.  I PUSHED through the pain.  I AM disciplined.  And I am DETERMINED to get better, faster and stronger.  

So take that, Steamboat!  

Had to run around the camp to get to the finish line.  

My baby girl.  Made it all ok.  

Sweet family to support me!

My sweet, dear friend, Reyna.  She is the one who got me started running and inspired me to start!