With my race behind me now, I find myself searching for a new goal, but before I focus too much on what my next accomplishment will be....I must reflect on what an achievement this has been. Four months ago when I started training for this race, I told myself that this was going to be a challenge, but I could do it. Several times during the course of my training...I wanted to give up and I did miss a couple runs, but I remained really faithful to running 4 days a week. I also got a bit irritable during training because while initially I started the training as a huge goal, I also thought 'well all of this running will surely take off a few lbs.' NOPE! I've stayed pretty much the same weight throughout my training. ARGHHH!!! I actually don't really care about that now though because I am so much stronger than I was four months ago....I feel like I can conquer the world and that I can do anything I set my mind to!!

Ok so on to race day......well let's start with the day before....

Jas and I (well Jas) drove from home to Dayton. We arrived at about 5 p.m. and proceeded to pick up my race packet. I'm a goober and forgot my camera in the car, so there's no pic of me doing that...it was pretty boring anyway....nothing exciting to see. After that, we went to our hotel, and guess what I have waiting for me??? A beautiful arrangement of flowers in fall colors! I immediately thought they were from Jas. He said no...and I thought....there is only one other person who would do that....so I looked at the card and it was from BECKY!!!! She is the best friend I could ask for!!! Inside, the card read 'Thinking of you during your 26. Love Becky'...ummm Becky, you forgot the .2! HAHA! Just kidding! Thank you so much for being so thoughtful and being such a cheerleader for me. You made me feel that much more confident that I could do it! Here's a pic of the gorgeous arrangement.

So after we checked into the room, I called some folks that I knew from Germany to see if they wanted to join us for a carb-loading pasta dinner at Olive Garden. Jas and I met up with Becky T and her husband Mike and also Jon Levy...my old supervisor. Here's a pic of us. Thanks guys for hanging, it was great to see you all!

Well the next morning I woke up at 5 got ready and started on my breakfast. It was a whole wheat english muffin, peanut butter and banana....it was ummmm goooood but it took me a while to get it down, stupid nerves. We drove to the base and parked. A shuttle took us over to the race start/finish line. As we made our way over to the start line, I saw my friend Julia at the bag check-in. I nearly mowed this poor woman down running over to give Julia a hug. Gosh it was so nice to see another familiar face. It was so nice to see you Julia and thanks again for the gift!

Shortly after catching up with Julia, I stretched and tried to relax a bit...but that was hard to do though. Finally, they called for the runners to make their way to the start line....well here goes nothing! I went to the line for the opening ceremonies...where the AFMC commander said his speech, the honor guard posted the colors, and the anthem was sung. Shortly after that, three F-15s flew over and the BAM the race started!! The first 3 miles were very hilly and I had to pee already....at mile 1! Well after making it through the hilly 3, I felt pretty good...I was cruising along with a pace team who were scheduled to finish in 4:45...a pretty good time in my opinion. I decided to try to stick with these guys. The pacer was a 40s something petite brunette who had already run 98 marathons! Well before I new it, we were at mile 8 and I still had to pee but I didn't want to lose my group. Well cruising along and only stopping to drink gatorade at the stations, I found myself at mile 11 and not able to hold it anymore so I stopped and relieved myself and thought that I'd catch up to them at the next drinking station. Well the next station came and this is when I realized that I was half way done! This is when tears started rolling....I was there by myself (other runners are around of course) realizing that I was half way to my goal. I spoke to myself and told myself that I could do it. This is the hardest thing I've had to do....SO....I'm cruising along after the tears dried up and I started to get tired....I decided that I would allow myself to walk as long as I kept it at a brisk pace. I didn't want to walk, but I had to...my energy was dwindling but I needed to finish. So at mile 18, I ran and walked for the next 8.6 miles. As I was rounding the last 1/2 mile, I saw Jas there cheering me on, and the tears came again! So he took a pic of me and I kept going....when I finally came up to the finish line, so many emotions went through me.

I saw him again as I crossed the finish line at 5hrs 20 mins, he took a picture of me and I went to hug him....and yes folks! TEARS again...except this time I was SOBBING like someone had stolen my bike or something! I finally went over and got my medal, removed my chip from my shoe and got some food! I met Jas and Julia on the other side of the gate and hugged them both with my sweaty, salty self....sorry guys;)

Through all of this, I've found that I am stronger mentally and physically than I thought. I know that if I did this, I can do ANYTHING!

Thanks everybody for all of the support!

Thanks for stopping by...

Keisha

p.s. Here are some more pics from the day!