ViCtOrY~I finished my 1st half-marathon!

There is something really intense, crazy, fulfilling, and rewarding about doing something that you never would have imagined yourself doing. Running long distance was never on my life-time list of to dos. However, it was on my bucket list and I figured this was a great time to tackle it...it's now crossed off =)

There were times that my training felt very intense, and uncertain. But each time I felt that way I reminded myself that this was one of the first times I've done something for me, and only I could make it happen, this was all Kelli! I really do feel very accomplished. I give a lot of the glory to God. There were several months in my life that I felt like my body was inadequate and didn't work, truly. The Lord showed me that that wasn't true, and that I AM STRONG, and HEALTHY! I had a really fun time during the 3 months I trained. Mostly because I spent that time with my friends! However, 4 weeks before the race my knee started acting up :( I was in physical therapy 2 times a week there after to get my knee at best before the Windermere. My physical therapist Kelli S. is such a blessing! I wouldn't have been able to run as well without her help. So the main downfall for me going in to the race, is that I wasn't 100% which was really discouraging. So now, I'll have a re-do one of these days, when I am 100%! I will never again run a race when I'm injured.
Here's the scoop on how the race panned out~
Mile 1-8 Were awesome! Actually at mile 7 we were at 1:15 in time so I knew that would have been close to my Bloomsday time(remember, Bloomsday was a disaster!)
Mile 9~Still feeling pretty darn great, smiling, talking, laughing a little!
Mile 10-13 Are another story! My bum knee wasn't very fond of me anymore, and my body wanted to QUIT. No joke, you hear about people hitting a wall during long distance running, and I can vouch for that! It is a strange feeling. I had lots of long runs in my training and never "hit a wall." I even ran 14 miles during my training and didn't feel that bad. This was terrible. Instead of sprinting to the finish, I was praying to God, that he would just glide me over to the finish, I was a limp noodle! BUT, I did it, and for all that I encountered during my last 3 miles, I'm even happy with my time, 2:30 almost on the dot. THE BEST part of the finish was all our friends and family cheering us on at the end. My sweet Shane, Olivia, Nolan, my Mom, brothers, friends, it was the best! Oh and my friend Rachel with the chocolate milk that saved my life. I will run this race again, and of course would love to beat my time. My running partners have all signed up for more 1/2 and full marathons. D just turned right back around and ran the CDA 1/2 marathon and beat her 1st half marathon by 6 minutes! Really amazing considering she only had 2 weeks between the races. She's got wheels! And Siri, & Chris are signed up for 3 more marathons! AMAZING! I'm not quite ready for another one just yet.

To my training TEAM~I love you all and am so proud of each and every one of us! I NEVER would have made it through without you. D, thank you for dragging my BUTT(my J LO,) to the finish line, literally, and giving me all the inspiration and encouragement I NEEDED to finish. Chris & Siri, thank you for teaching me how to run, literally. Chris you're an awesome coach! Tab, you amaze me and I think you are a TOTAL natural who doesn't even have to train hard, and can RUN...hard, and FAST~you were born to run! Lord, thank you for giving me strength, healing, and peace within me~to you be the glory!
My team~GO Children's Choice! We are anxiously waiting for the START!

Mile 9 and feeling good!

13.2 miles later~2:30:04.1~my official time!
Love this one too~my Mom & Noel cheering me on(they are on my left.)
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
Crossing the bridge inching towards the finish. An emotional moment for sure! I love this picture our family & friends are to the left, very sweet!

Here I am at the finish & like I said, there was no sprinting-LOL!
My friend Rachel~who is also a HUGE inspiration to me, and I really needed her at this moment!
Noel caught me just as I finished =)
D & I seconds after the finish!
Woot Woot!



Our friend Heidi came over from Seattle to run the Windermere as well.


I am so happy that my brother Noel was able to share this experience with me! He lives in NY.
Siri, the one who got me in to this running "thing" =)
My brother Joe, Tab, my Mom, and Noel after the race.
Tabitha & I
The Luvs of my life!
Olivia made these signs for me and brought them to the race. So funny & cute, all the little people running.