"I'll never run another marathon again."

True story, I said those words and totally meant them a little over two years ago when I ran my first marathon.  Everything about that race was terrible.  (Okay, actually the weather was great.)  I didn't run enough miles beforehand, definitely didn't run enough hills, trained by myself, and practiced in 12 degree weather.  Yes, you read that correctly.  TWELVE degrees outside. 

Then race day came.  Not only did I burst into tears because I had to go to the bathroom so bad and we were stuck in traffic even trying to get to the stupid race (remember that, Dad?), but I couldn't find Andrew during the race to give me my much-needed energy gel.  I don't know why I was thinking that would even work in the first place; you know, only about 20,000 people run these things and the chances of you spotting your spectators along the way are slim.  I've never experienced anything quite as miserable as the last six miles of that race.  Somehow it finally ended.  And then I promised myself and everyone else that I would never run 26.2 miles again.

Funny thing is, though, I obviously ran a marathon again.  So what changed my mind?
1.  I didn't have to train in the middle of winter.
2.  I waited two years before reconsidering my options.  Strange how time makes you forget painful things.  
3.  I decided to hold onto my energy gel (Gu, for you runners out there) at all times.
4.  I trained with a friend.
Mostly #4 changed my mind.  Gosh, I don't know how I used to run for four hours at a time by myself.  Talking with Jessie along the way not only helped me to forget about the cramps shooting through my legs on our 22-mile run, but she motivated me to even get out the door in the first place.  Also, after training for 18 weeks and having to find things to talk about for hours at a time, you either end up really loving someone or really thinking that they're annoying.  I think I made a lifelong friend just by training for a race.  Love you, Jessie.

Marybeth and Molly, my sweet Texas friends. 

April 29, 2012, was not even comparable to February 27, 2010.  So many people came to cheer me on.  It's crazy how just one person cheering for you on the sidelines can build an adrenaline rush that will carry you for miles.  Thanks so much to Molly, Marybeth, and Andrew especially for waking up far before the crack of dawn to go with me.

Andrew's family, Jessie's parents, and several of our other friends were also there.  I was so happy.  Friends (Mal, Ryan, Steve, Bethany, Julie), you probably think it's a little thing to be cheerleaders on the side of the road, but I promise you that it isn't.

Hubs is my biggest fan.

Andrew's sweet family.  Our niece and nephews were obviously thrilled to be there, haha.

 It did start raining... but I'd take rain over heat anyday. 

Ew, look at those hot messes.

I trained much better this time around.  When Gorilla Hill kicked our tails at the race, Jessie and I both looked at each other and said, "We should have trained more hills."  But overall, we did what we should have done beforehand, didn't get upset stomachs, and had a great experience.  When you're running with 3,000 other people, you probably aren't planning on winning.  At least I'm not.  So I was thrilled to have beat my personal goal by just crossing the finish line in one piece, 4 hours and 24 minutes later. 

See, I was smiling because I saw someone I knew!

The home stretch...

I know it's cliche, but running a marathon really is a good metaphor for life.  After running about 23 miles, I began to experience pain in my legs and feet like I've never felt before.  All I wanted to do was to give up and stop running.  The mile marker flags seemed to get farther and farther apart as the course seemed to be endless.  Eventually, though, I finished.  And the feeling at the end of the race was so much more glorious because of having gone through the pain.  No one ever wants to hurt.  We all want the easy way out.  But the easy way is not always the best way, and the lessons learned are always worth the pain.

Enjoy the rest of the pictures.  :-)

So happy to be finished, and to have done it together.  :-)

26.2 miles later!

My awesome friends stayed through the rain to cheer for us.

The man who got me into running in the first place.  :-)