SunRiver, Oregon

I did it, I actually did it! I ran a half marathon and finished. I didn't think I could with my health. Mind over matter. I was doing so well with training these last few months. No injuries what so ever, just tired from time to time. Then, wouldn't you know it, two weeks before the race I broke my left pinky toe. Then, a week before the race I tripped over a suitcase and bruised ribs. Good grief! Plus, I went camping that weekend to save money and had about 3 hours of sleep on both nights before the race. Not real smart. Plus it was hot and there was a change in altitude. Lets not forget the ugly head of MS that is forever present with me. Putting all that aside, I did it, I actually DID IT and FINISHED! It wasn't pretty though. I hit a wall at mile 9, a major wall. My body just broke down. I had to walk/run the last four miles. I didn't even care at the time that I was walking, I just wanted it over with. I had run 11 miles two weeks earlier and did just fine, but this race was a whole different story. I crossed the finish line and was so sick! Yikes! I threw up in the car on the way home from the campground and was weak for about 4 hours, but then I was fine. A Pepsi and Pretzels will do that to you. I swear by it. Even though it wasn't pretty, I am so grateful for the experience. Now that it is over, I want to do it again. Not today or tomorrow, but in the near distant future. Now that I know what to expect, I will prepare better. A big thanks goes to Sally and my Dad. Dad wrote up our training schedule and coached me throughout it all. Thanks Dad! Sally was my running partner who I trained with. Couldn't have done it without her. A big thanks for all her motivation. I'm so glad she left me at mile 9 and finished out the race the way she wanted to. She did Awesome!

We also went with the Horne and Atwood family. We all needed to save on money and went camping for this trip. We stayed at Lapine State Park. We toured the Lava River Cave and played in the Deschutes River. Lots of fun. My kids had such a great time hanging with friends. Taryn and Rachel also ran the marathon and did great. In fact, Sally was the only one who wasn't injured. We were quite a group! What a great weekend. Thanks to my hubby and kids who supported me in this.