Knoxville Half Marathon

I ran a half-marathon 7 weeks post-baby.

 

It was one of the most proud moments of my life.

 

I just spent 45 minutes typing the loooongest explanation as to why I felt the need to do something so crazy. I deleted it. You know what? [expletive] that. This is my blog, and I don't need to explain anything. It felt [expletive] good, and I feel like a [expletive] badass.

 

Yes...I'm bragging. BUT I RAN A HALF MARATHON SEVEN WEEKS AFTER I GAVE BIRTH. Let me have my moment.

 

So I decided two weeks prior to the race that I was ready. For heavens sake, I slow-walked 5.2 miles that day...surely, I could make it 13.1 miles.  And for heavens sake, I GAVE BIRTH...surely, I could EASILY make it 13.1 miles:

 

 

So...Sunday morning, I woke up at 4 AM, I pumped so Baby Jace would be fed that morning, and I put on my 25 degree running gear. I carpooled with Scott to the race, and I spent nearly an hour trying to convince myself that this would [literally] be a walk in the park.

 

Thank goodness for Scott. I might have talked myself out of the race, but his fun-loving and sometimes ridiculous personality kept me calm and ready to go by sunrise:

 

The race started at 7:30. It was frigid and crowded and I jogged the toughest 3 miles of my life. From there, I continued to race with a run/walk routine Once I hit the Cherokee boulevard, I was in marathon-heaven again.

 

The support on that portion of the race is undeniable. My good friend arch-nemesis, Patrick, even hooked us up with some inspirational running signs.

 

I hope y'all understand how embarrassing it was to stop my jog and take a picture of *that* sign. It's a good thing I like running alone.........

 

I saw Patrick (aka some Star Wars nerd loser) at mile 6 and took a quick break to give him a high-five and take a selfie:

 

Right before mile 8, Scott and I had a quite the posse rooting us on! Y'all...spectators are just as important as the runners. The support I had in that cold parking lot is what got me through the race. I cannot say thanks enough to my friends for suffering through the 26 degree weather. I have the best friends in the world :)

 

 

 

And yes...my favorite supporter was my sweet Baby Jace :)

 

 

 

I took a short break, chugged a mimosa (thanks, Petey) and continued my 13.1 mile trek.

 

It was tough. My back hurt, my legs hurt, my knees hurt...but my pride swelled! 2 hours and 29 minutes later (45 minutes slower than last year), I crossed that Neyland stadium finish line feeling like I had conquered the world.

 

Special thanks to Casondra for the end-of-race love :)

 

 

I did it. Two weeks of training. Seven weeks after giving birth. I freaking did it.

 

I've always said it...these races are a celebration of the human spirit. I've never met a human without a spirit, y'all. I promise you can do it too :)