i'm a marathoner???

on our way to chicago!

i can't believe it. i ran my first half marathon. 13.1 miles of nothing but pavement, sweat, grime and the sweetest pair of running shoes i bought just for this race. ;) when i decided that yes, i was crazy enough to enter a half marathon, i knew i wanted to do a big one. not that there aren't decent ones around here, i'm sure they're fine, but, to be honest, i've seen the medals they give, and i really didn't want a big FISH medal for my first race. {no offense bass pro shops}... so, i decided to sign up for the 13.1 marathon in chicago. just a short 8 1/2 hour drive from where i live. no biggie.

i told {quietly mumbled} my desire to a friend of mine, {scared to really tell anyone, because that held me accountable to actually go through with it} she surprisingly jumped on board and said she would do it with me! {i was a tad horrified, the whole "accountability thing" again}, then another friend of ours heard about it, and joined in as well~ it ended up being a 4 day girls trip, full of sight-seeing, shopping, eating {we took that whole "load up on carbs" thing VERY seriously}, and lastly running. 13.1 miles. did i mention that? thirteen point one. that's insanity. anyone who does it is certifiably nuts. and I. LOVED. EVERY. MOMENT. so much so, i'm doing at least one more this fall. i can't believe how much i loved it. i can't believe how much i love the medals. i'm not a collector of anything really, i don't like clutter, but i've decided that i'm going to collect marathon medals. my reasoning is simple. it's impressive to have those medals hanging up in your home, by the door, where anyone who comes in has no choice but to see them, {kidding, kidding, kind of. it's displayed by the back door, so it's only close friends and family that have to see it} , and it makes sure i get off my rump and exercise. ;) here's some pics from our trip:

navy pier. sheri and i were excited to go on the crazy huge ferris wheel... juli, not so much. ;)






we ate at the cafe lux one night. we had never even heard of it, but were shocked at how identical it was to the cheesecake factory... we mentioned that to our waiter, and he told us they were owned by the cheesecake factory.... HUGE portions. great food, but the best part about it was our view for dinner. i *almost* felt like i was in NYC. that was a good feeling. <3 the next day we went into the building that was formerly the sears tower. and we stepped out onto their crazy frightening plexiglass floor... 113 stories up. yeah, it messed with my mind a little.




my bib!!! i was so happy to have all even numbers! oh, see that yellow nail polish? i rocked that color the entire trip and it went with everything!!! i got home, and j took one look at my nails and said it reminded him of baby diarrhea... i guess i won't be wearing THAT anymore...
before the race.



by the end of the race, i was mentally preparing myself for another. this time, i'm going to probably have to settle for a FISH medal~ as gross as that is, but hey, a medal is a medal, right? NO. i can't take a fish medal seriously. ever. but, i'm going to do it. and hubs is doing it with me. {i talked so much smack about me being a "marathoner" that he decided to start training and whip my rear at the race. that's what i get for opening my big mouth. the dude runs like 8 minute miles~ sure, it's only a couple miles he's running right now, but still. he's totally going to blast my time, and then i won't hear the end of it. EVER. so, if you have any tips for this newbie marathoner, send 'em my way. please?!?!