i've been delaying this post...partially b/c i don't know how to begin and partially b/c i don't want to face the fact that it's over.

Team in Training held a pasta party for us the night before the race. as we walked in, the walkway was lined with coaches and mentors and cheering and clapping, and our staff-liasion handed both Lauren and I an envelope. i had no idea what it contained.

when we sat down to eat, i opened the envelope out of curiousity. it was full of cards, emails and notes from friends and family. tears immediately came to my eyes and i could only read them in small doses. such an outpouring of love and support. amazing!

the night continued with success stories of cancer patients, remembering those who lost their battle and honoring those who struggle daily. yes...more tears. our head coach stood up to give us last minute advice and we were done. bellies full. excitement high. ready to run.

so, Lauren and i were up at 4 am, ready to head downtown to find a spot and meet the team for a group photo. we parked right next to finish line, which i was so thankful for later, and envisioned ourselves crossing it.

we were in our corral by 6:50, excited, bouncy. taking pics and videos with the camera Lauren would later regret carrying. we talked with our neighbors and laughed a lot. and couldn't help noticing that everyone was giving us strange looks...we didn't understand why until we got into the race...we were expending all our energy.

the race starts and it takes us nearly 35 minutes to finally cross the start line. i got through the first half with relatively few problems. seeing the Speedway in the distance pulled me on and filled me with great excitement. fans on the sidewalks and roadsides were awesome, clapping and ringing cowbells. a couple little girls were even advertising "Free Hugs."

i realized, about 3 miles in, that this would not be easy. that you don't get to just say you're running the mini, like i'd been doing for months. you earn every minute, every mile.

there was a lot of energy entering the Speedway. as we descended the ramp, bagpipes were playing and everyone was cheering. silly us...not even half way through yet and so excited.

i was told by veteran runners that the Speedway was the hardest, and i would have to agree for many reasons...first: it's the halfway point. second: it's hot. the sun was beating down straight on us with no chance of cover. third: it feels so long b/c all you have to look at is how far you still have to go.

my dad was waiting for me as i exited, around the nine-mile mark, which was so encouraging. and i found friends from small group just a little further down. it was like they were perfectly stationed b/c i had begun to hit my wall.

half-way into mile 11, i sincerely wanted to quit. i called my dad and told him to talk to me; he told me i was doing awesome and how proud he was. that didn't help. i loved him for it, but i couldn't get back in the game mentally. so i took a pit stop and used a portapotty. i tried to walk when i got done but it actually felt more natural to run, so i took off again. still, mile marker 12 seemed to take it's sweet time getting to me.

we hit the home stretch and i clung to the words a teammate said to me at the end of another long run: "there is always something left in the well." i kept wondering just how deep i thought my well was, but i prayed, nonetheless, for God to give me strength to finish.

finish i did. at 2 hours and 37 minutes. the longest run i've ever done. i didn't feel elated. i didn't feel like i was on top of the world. i just wanted my medal and to lay in cool grass and sleep for the rest of the day.

i was beyond spent. whatever was left in the well was long gone and i felt like i'd been hit by a mac-truck. i spent the rest of the day sleeping on the couch.

perhaps the most comical scene has been watching my sister and i walk down the stairs of our apartment as our legs begin to heal...we truly look like old ladies! i have to grip the railing and lean into the wall, taking one step at a time.

a friend asked if i signed up for next year yet, and i honestly could not answer. i am just now coming to grips with the fact that i actually did it, just coming to the place where i can say i might do it again. it took a lot more out of my than i expected...i am still very weak in my legs, exhausted and depleted.

but i accomplished what i set out to do. i ran the whole thing (save about 20 feet). i praise God for opportunities such as these, where we have the opportunity to set a goal, be pushed beyond our farthest boundaries and meet it. pictures will be posted as soon as i have them uploaded.