2 hours 42 minutes

Well, I did it. I ran the 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 42 minutes. I didn't beat my old time, but I didn't take longer either. I did it in exactly the same time pre-Kirstynn. And it was all worth it.

With 30,000 people running it, we started in a pretty big traffic jam and were finally let off on the side of the highway and walked about half a mile to the starting line. Once in the starting line, there were 30 corrals and I was in 19 so I didn't start until almost a full hour after the first gunfire went off.... But once we got there, it was awesome.

I felt the surge of emotion almost immediately.. I got teary not at the end when crossing the finish line, but at the beginning - knowing I was really doing this and the pride was amazing. I ran non stop and without getting very tired until mile 7. The crowd was cheering and the bands were playing....

Mile 7-10 was tough... I was then counting the minutes and looking HARD for the mile markers. Toenails and calf muscles started hurting...

Mile 10 was a breaking point. I walked. From there until mile 12 was a walk/run race... I did my best, but I was tired.....

We finally got our gelpack around 12 and I got my surge seeing the finish line and jogged my way to 13.1!

Then the pain really started (NOTE: pain from running comes after running endorphins stop.... )but I immediately started planning for next year!

All in all, I am a proud woman, wife and mother. This is something I can show my children-where not everything feels good. Where sometimes the intrinsic reward and hard work alone is worth paying $90 and feeling close to your breaking point for.

And I hope I get better and faster. And in the years to come, Addison and Kirstynn can be at the finish line waiting for me and can be proud of me too. Heck, maybe even one day we can run it together....

On a side note, Kirstynn has said her first words... Bye bye. She opens and closes her fists and says buh buh. Its so darn cute! Cant say that I wish it wasn't Mama, but I'm working to make sure that is next.... :) Or trying to although Addison keeps after me saying "No mom, she's gonna say sister".... That would be ok with me too....