My legs finally work again!

So after watching The Biggest Loser a few seasons ago, I got inspired to start walking. I started walking after dinner and on the weekends and started going pretty far distances. This lead me to the idea of walking a half marathon (13.1 miles). I asked around and found a few friends who said they were willing but I wasn't sure if they would really do it. Life can get in the way, I understand that, but I wanted to train and do it with someone who was just as serious as I was. Well the White Rock Marathon came and went, but the idea never left. Well around summer time of this year, I decided that I was going to do it. I asked Hubby if he would be willing to participate with me, and probably thinking that I would change my mind by then, he said yes. So I signed us up, paid our fees, and printed off our training schedule that we would start 14 weeks before the race.

We started training and of course, just like everyone else, life started to get in the way. We found out we were having a "punkin", the holidays rolled around and we were out of town every weekend for three weeks and before we knew it, December 13th was knocking on our door. The longest we had walked prior to last Sunday was 6 miles. It is exactly 3 miles to my parents, so we had walked there and back but since we didnt die, we figured we could push and surely do another 7.1....

We arrived at American Airlines Center at around 7:30 after parking across the street. I was cold and terrified as you can tell by my face.

But we had our numbers and we were committed.

There were 20,000 people....let me say that again TWENTY THOUSAND PEOPLE participating in the 5-person relay, the full marathon, and the half marathon.

It was INSANE. Hubby and I were at the very back of the pack (you have to enter your time when you sign up and they section you off accordingly) and in this picture, you cant even see the start line, it is actually around the corner.

The race started at 8:00AM and at about 8:15-8:20 we crossed the start line (under the balloons).

Once we hit that start line, we started walking...

and we walked....

and we walked some more...

through neighborhoods were people were cheering us on and bands were playing...

and over major freeways...where bands were playing.

It was tough. I would be lying if I said it wasn't. By the end my hips were hurting, my feet were hurting, and although I wasn't tired cardiovascularly, my body was beat. But soon we were at mile 8...

and then mile 10...

and before we knew it...12...

and then...together...we ran over the finish line.

It was an AMAZING experience and I can't imagine doing it with anyone else, "punkin" included!

Happy Feet Soaking!