13.1

I did it. That is right....I ran my first half marathon in Nashville, the last weekend in April. It was the St. Jude Rock n Roll country music marathon. There were over 30,000 runners....WOW!

It was one of the more remarkable things I have experienced...I feel like the best way to describe this might be in bullet form

• 30,000 plus runners - CRAZY! it was like playing frogger for 13 miles
• i didnt cross the starting line until 37 min after the official start of the race
• apparently these races are big events for local spectators - the people of Nashville make this event look like gameday at Alabama
• people were tailgating and drinking mimosas cheering on the runners
• the cheers - i have never been so happy to hear so many random people telling me to keep going, they were ultra encouraging and humorous
• next time - I will do better at pacing myself
• misery loves company - i loved the comraderie of the runners and everyone suffering together
• my goal time was 2 hr 30 min -- I finished at 2hr 31...I was DEAD at the end and the last couple of miles were torture but I finished!
• this was something on my bucket list and a fear of mine. (check and check!)
• frozen strawberries were delicious after the race
• my body was covered in my own salt...gross.
• by 2pm that afternoon i was gone. so tired.
• i cried/teared up multiple times for multiple reasons

Needless to say - I cannot wait to do another. I plan to sign up for the Disney half in January.

Don't worry there were tears and pain and tingling feet/numbness but I did it! Looking back is always easier right? Don't worry Disney...I am coming for ya!

here are some not so great pics!

Thanks Denton clan for coming alongside Matthew to support me! Y'all rock! Man I was looking rough....