Run a mile... or 13.1

Around January, my best friend Shana suggested we run a half marathon. Shana's a regular runner and I was the complete opposite. The only time I ran was... never. She convinced me that we would be able to do this and that if I ran every day I would be able to run the 13.1 miles required. Shana also knew that I wanteed to lose some weight, so I decided okay! I'm gonna do this!

The first day running Shana had to practically push my ass to run a mile and I think it took about 37 minutes, but I did it. So I continued to run every couple days. Everyone kept telling me that I would start to love it and soon I would be addicted. For once in my life I was dedicated, but at no point did I ever start to get that feeling. Every day I continued to hate running, more and more and more. On top of that the girls at work said I looked like Tarzans wife after each of my afternoon runs. I was huffing and puffying, my face was red, and I couldn't even breathe.

Then my life had a change at the end of March, I broke up with my boyfriend and on top of that I decided 2 days later I was going to move out of my moms house and head downtown! That's when the running stopped. OOPS! and I started to forget that I needed to be running 3 miles consistantly, so that I could start pushing the limits. Well that went out the window.

Fast forward to July 22 the day of the Rock-N-Roll half marathon, well actually fast forward to the day before. Veronica, my best work friend who also decided to run with us, asked if I was actually going to show up? Of course I'm going to go! I'm dedicated to showing up and attempting this stupid run. That night Shana and I went out to Japonais with my exboyfriend and his friends.

Prepping for tomorrow's marathon!

Thankfully Shana and I were serious about the next mornings run and we went to bed at a reasonable hour... 2:30AM! Oh and did I mention that Shana was broken and unable to run even a mile because of bad knees? When we got home the door me couldn't believe that we were going to attempt to run 13.1 miles in 3 hours! I got up with a bit of a struggle. I dragged Shana's ass out of bed and we left without breakfast or even going to the bathroom (bad move on our parts!). At 5:30 AM I was hip hopping around the lobby of my building waiting for a cab.

Best part of our cab ride... watching all the people out, leaving the clubs/bars

Eventually we found out numbers, but not Veronica.

It was too late to look for her because the race was off...

Shana and I ran about half a mile, when we decided to slow down the pace to a walk. Around the half way mark Shana and I were complaining about our need for using the bathroom, how hungry and slightly drunk we were. So we did the only logical thing we could think of... We went to Duncan Donuts!

Thanks to my best friend Haider, who created this great picture.

 Now in my own defense all I had was a banana and a poweraid. Then Shana and I started wandering back to the starting line, but before that we stopped off at The Bean.

After relaxing a bit, Shana and I decided to go to the finish line to find Veronica. We decided that we would run in the last half mile with her. This is when the most exciting part of my day happened. Shana and I were observing all the runners headed toward the finish line, amazed at the drive and determination in each of their faces. We also observed the different gaits and outfits of all the people. That's when Shana saw something amazing... a man in spandex. She must have been staring for a while because as he passed us he said, "I saw that!" I looked at Shana puzzled. She said she was thinking about why this man was in spandex and as a result she was staring at his short shorts... he thought she was staring at something else (HAHA Shana's a pervert!).

Before we knew it, Veronica was coming down the path! I was so excited, Shana and I jumped back into the race to cheer her on. She said she was in a lot of pain and wanted to give up, so she's glad we found her when we did. Can I just say, I AM SO PROUD OF HER! She ran thirteen point one miles! Fucking rediculous!!

Veronica, Shana, and Me

Our matching shoes!

But wait... there's beer! 

CHAMPION OF THE DAY!