A Marathon, in Bites

I was asked in April if I would be interested in participating in a marathon relay. Meaning I would be on a team of four other women who would all run approximately 5.2 miles, adding up to a full marathon at 26.2 miles.

This is most of the larger group. There were two teams of 10.

Knowing myself the way I do, I knew if I didn't have anything to keep me motivated over the summer, I would probably take the summer off and never exercise. I figured the pressure of knowing other people were counting on me to not make a fool of myself by running 1 and walking 4.2 miles would keep me going.

This is my team of 5.

It did.

But the pressure was a little more than I bargained for in the two weeks leading up to the race.
The dreams were ridiculous.

I didn't get to the point where I could do it in under 50 minutes like I planned in April, but I finished strong and didn't have to walk once.

Burke came to watch.
He was the only husband able to make the drive and support us (thanks to Grandma for watching the kids). He was so sweet. He stalked me at the mile markers and snapped some photos of me.
My first mile was in 9 minutes! A personal best for me. I love that Burke knew that when I shouted it out to him at mile 3.

Mile 3. I improved my time over my 5k in the spring!

Although mile 5 took a good 11 minutes (plus), I didn't stop, even when the pigeon hiding in the bushes jumped out to get me.

Mile 4. Getting tired, but no longer freezing to death.

I kept going.
I knew Burke was waiting for me at the end with a big hug and an "I'm proud of you".
'Cause he knew how hard it was for me.

At the finish, almost there!

I'm not a runner. But I try hard.
And I made it.

Done! Passing the baton. And rejoicing!