Half Marathon and more

I am happy to report that after 20 weeks of training I have completed my running goal.  This last weekend Audra and I ran the Prairie Fire Half Marathon in Wichita.  It was tough, emotional, wet, exhausting, exciting, and fun all at the same time.  My running journey started in January of last year.  I was trying to find some kind of exercise that I enjoyed and decided to give running a try.  At that point I knew I needed a goal to strive for.  Audra and I decided to run a 5k that March.  I started doing the Couch to 5K program.  I did the training off and on.  The 5K was fun but I had to walk during it and said I was done running when I finished that race.  Then about a week later I realized that I actually missed running.  That is when I started to become a little more serious about running.  The rest is history.  I have now run a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon.
I won't say the race on Sunday was easy because it wasn't easy.  It was hard and I had to dig deep to finish.  I was ready to throw in the towel at mile 10 but knew after all my hard work I was not quitting.  My goal for the day was to finish the 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 30 minutes.  My official time was 2:29:58.  I still had 2 seconds to spare :)  I don't know if I will run another half marathon any time soon but I will continue running.  Here is the only picture that Audra and I took on race day.  We do have proof of running on the professional photographers website but I hope they are erased soon.  I am very glad I do not look in the mirror while running.

After the race we headed out to lunch and then headed back to Winfield.  Mike and the girls were at my Mom and Mark's waiting for me.  This is what they had made me.

Thanks to Audra for running with me.  I am so glad to have reached this goal with you.  Thanks to Mike for supporting me and my new love of running.  I am still waiting to run a race with you! 

Now on to the real reason people read the blog, my girls!  We have had a busy week.  The weather has been nice and we have been enjoying.  Jillian and I have spent a few mornings outside this week and she is loving the scooter.

One afternoon this week Hadley went over to play at Olivia's house.  When we went to pick her up the girls played outside for awhile.  Niki and I saw a flash into the future and I am not ready for it yet.

We are finally home for a weekend and plan on relaxing and enjoying it!