Nashville Half Marathon

Well, I finally accomplished it! I set the goal of running a half-marathon about 2 years ago. I started training last fall and then I did the half this past weekend. I have to say it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. The picture above is from the night before at the expo where we checked in. There were tons of vendors there trying to sell their product and give advice to runners. It was fun, but really crowded. We (me, Lauren and Rikki) met up with some other friends from Memphis to eat at Demo's in downtown Nashville. It was also packed. We carb loaded and headed to bed. Saturday we woke up at 5 am and got ready to walk about a mile to the start line. Once there I was amazed at the sea of people. 30,000 were there and thank God the sun was shinning! The weather actually held out until my last 1 1/2 miles, and then the lightning, rain and thunder made me speed up to finish!
At about mile 6.5 Rikki and Lauren ran ahead of me and I was left to fight it out alone! At about mile 7.5 I started mentally losing it. I didn't want to go on and I felt exhausted. Then I saw a sign, "run with endurance the race set before you." I remember thinking how that feeling and place is sort of where Greg and I are in our life right now waiting for a job. We feel alone and tired. I just said "OK God, I get what you are trying to teach me," because nothing was going to make me quit that race! Nothing was going to keep me from crossing that finish line after months of training and preparing. I knew that even though i was so tired eventually something great was going to come after I ran the race, after I got through the hardest part of wanting to throw up my hands and quit. Eventually He will open the door for Greg and we will start a new part of our race! I am sure there will be many mile 7.5's throughout our life, but I understand better that when we keep running to Jesus with endurance the prize WILL come!
Anyway, when I did finish I felt so good about myself and so thankful that I accomplished my goal. Lauren and I are already thinking about which one we will do next year, and how to improve our time! Anyone can jump on board if you want... I am trying to convince Greg.
Thanks for all of your love and support. Keep praying for us as we continue for God to bring Greg the best job for him.