Sunday, March 13, 2011

13.1 {Miles That Is}

This is a long post. I warned you.

But this is also a post of which I am extremely proud.

I finished a half marathon. 13.1 miles.

(And there was no death. Or throwing up.)

To see why I did this, besides being completely crazy, read this post about Beth.

Daniel and I went to the Expo the day before the race before we headed to St. Augustine. I signed a large board with a note to Beth. These boards were later placed along Memorial Mile on the beach.


I chose the Inspire board because Beth was and always will be a huge inspiration in my life.



Here I am getting in line and trying to warm up. It was freezing and super early, but I was ready to help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer and to celebrate the life of an extraordinary woman.


The start line was full of excitement, with music to get us going, pink confetti flying everywhere, and over 10,000 runners!

This is a solid wall of people heading up and over the bridge...



Mile 2 took us over the Intracoastal Waterway - with the sun just rising and some stunning views.


Around Mile 5, we headed onto Jacksonville Beach for the Memorial Mile.



Mile 7 - over halfway there!


Mile 12. Evil. Evil. Hill.

I felt like dying or asking for a bike by this point, but I kept plugging along.


And here I am crossing the finish line! Daniel was waiting for me at the end to take pictures and give me a hug! It's such an exhilarating feeling to cross the finish line of a race!


I've thanked Daniel many times, but I don't think I can thank him enough for supporting me on this special and meaningful day!


According to Daniel, this is my best man pose yet.



Beth was with me the whole way.


This is my beautiful finishers' medal!

Daniel and I got to stay with a friend of mine on Amelia Island for the weekend, and on the day after the race, we got up early to go to the beach. Beth loved this beach, and I'm glad we got to go for a bit.


We then stopped in Savannah again on our way back to Greenville.

More on that later.

;)

10 comments:

jaquelyn {mama thoughts} said...

Em, this is awesome! So proud of you. :)

cb said...

oh congrats sweetie! that is so awesome and it must feel so good health wise but also to help support such a wonderful cause! cancer is such a scary thing. so proud of you!!!
i think they have a bike one no? if they don't they should! but most bike races intimidate me!

xo,
cb

Gina Thomas said...

wow! i got chills reading this post. what an amazing adventure and so awesome that you were able to do this for beth, yourself, and that you had support from your boo:)
gina

Oh, My Darling said...

Wow, wow, wow!!!! Good for you, lady!

Mindy said...

Good job! You're amazing.

(Can I just say how fitting it is that your "best man pose yet" was when you were dressed completely in pink supporting breast cancer research? Very nice. =D hee hee!)

Congratulations on completion!!!!

Sandy a la Mode said...

wowww!! congrats on a job well done!! i can't do anything more than like a 5K without huffing and puffing like crazy!!!

Clare B said...

Congratulations Em! Such an achievement and such a wonderful thing to accomplish for someone who was such a mentor and inspiration for you.

Mama Pea said...

Way to go!

Daniel said...

With regards to both posts, part 1 and 2, you really don't have to thank me and yes, I was glad I didn't have to drink the water!! I enjoyed my time spent with you very much. :)

Wendy said...

I want to run a half-marathon one day!!!! I suppose I'm slowly getting there, but I haven't gotten up the guts to do anything past a 5K yet! :)