Nine weeks ago, my younger brother Nathan decided that we should do a race together & picked a 1/2 marathon for me and a full marathon for him! Neither of us had ever ran these distances before, so it was defintely a goal to work towards. We signed up & started training for our various distances. I was extremely excited to go back to Denver for a whole weekend by myself & spend some time with Nathan doing this event. In the 9 weeks leading up to the race, I ran a 5K and two 10k's as part of my training. I felt good about the work I'd done to prepare myself for what I'd signed up for.
The race was AWESOME!!! It was definitely the hardest thing I have ever accomplished in my life though. Looking back & having several days to recover & think on the experience, I think I might actually do one of those again someday. I don't know that I'd do a FULL marathon (cause that's just plain crazy!) This particular race was fabulous, because you ran through the streets of Downtown Denver & a gorgeous park in the middle. There were bands every 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 miles throughout the race & the weather dried up (but didn't warm up much)! 
It took me 3:12:40 to run/walk the 13.1 miles of the course. When I finally crossed & got my medal, I totally started crying! I called my dear sweet schmoopy-cakes & told him I'd just finished. I think he thought I was hurt or something with all of my bawling! It was very emotional for me to have accomplished something that I would have NEVER believed possible back in May. When I was ready to quit around mile 10, I sent Shane a text telling him I was too sore & too tired... I seriously wanted to stop moving right then. Thankfully, I have the best husband on the face of the EARTH & he continually sent me very encouraging messages & words of support that helped me keep going. I honestly don't think I would have made it if he hadn't pushed me along there at the end!
After I finished, I hung out & waited for Nathan to come through from doing his 26.2 miles. While waiting, I'd asked one of the medal-hander-outter-people if there was any way I could be the one to give Nathan his medal when he finished. THANKFULLY - I found a nice guy who let me! When I saw him come through, I channeled the inner Darla in me & once again started crying when I hung the medal around his neck! I'm so glad he "convinced" me to do this race & supported me through my training.
