That is what really matters. Not the time. Not the pace. Not the wall that I seems to hit between mile nine and ten where I just could not keep my heart rate down and thus fatigued easily.
But, I finished. I ran 13.1 miles. The longest I have ever run before is 10k. So, I managed to run more than double my longest distance. I can be proud of that. That’s what matters.
It was a beautiful day. Sunny, 70 degrees, light breeze. It was so nice just to be outside with the sun kissing the skin. It is the first big run of the season so it is very popular. There were 1196 other people running the half marathon portion alone.
I’m hooked now. I’ve already signed up for the half portion of the Minneapolis Marathon in early June, As I said yesterday, I did next to no training for this last one. I’ll not make that same mistake next time. Now that I know I can run that distance, I’ll keep doing so and work on increasing my time.
If I can offer any inspiration at all regarding my own journey, please remember that I have been at this with any seriousness at all for only a little bit more than a year. I’m certain, based on my own condition, that anyone can do it. It’s a beautiful world. Get out there and run in it.