14 MILES!!!

Today was a big day for me - I have not only been training for my marathon coming up in October for exactly 2 months, but I reached the 14 mile mark! I'd like to say that it was a piece of cake, but I was truly tested to the limit today. I don't know if it's the fact that waking up at 4:15 am every Saturday morning hasn't gotten much easier for me, or that I decided to wear the wrong running shorts and chaffed the inside of my legs or the fact that the heat radiates even at 5:30 in the morning, but today was a tough run for me.

With all that said, I look at what I was able to accomplish and the good definitely out weighs the bad. Yes, I spent most of the 14 miles I ran today thinking about how good it was going to feel to be done, but the moments when I focused on just being outside and getting to do my own thing with no interruptions, I was SO happy to be there. It's a freedom that I can't describe. I'm able to think and dream and wonder about whatever I want. I didn't realize just how many thoughts I process while I am running, but it has truly become a way for me to gather what's happening in my life and try to find ways to make a little better. Through the blood, sweat and tears I'm continuing to get that much closer to my goal and although it wasn't perfect today - I DID IT!

Today, I am reminded just how lucky I am to even have the opportunity to run and use my legs to get me from point A to point B. It's pretty remarkable what you can convince your body to do when you feel like you can't go any further. I'm thankful for the wonderful group of people that I am able to train with each week and especially for all the cancer patients out there that are having to deal with so much. They are such an inspiration to me to keep going and not to give up! The patients that I have been able to meet along this journey always have a smile on their face even though they are having to go through such tough times! They are so dedicated and have such a positive outlook towards life. It's AMAZING! I hope that I can somehow keep a piece of that with me throughout my life! Today was a good day!

Me just getting home after running 14 miles - what a great feeling to be home with my family!

Trying to show Taylor how to hold up "14" with her fingers.

Taylor's attempt at showing how far her mother ran (NOTE: This will make you sweat, but I did dump cold water all over me after to cool off, so my shirt isn't as gross as it looks!)

This is as good as it got! Looks more like she is giving me the "loser" sign, but we decided to have it mean "LOVE!" Her face just cracks me up!