Nike+ Womens Half Marathon & Inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon. Completed.

Dear January, I must say you have treated me well!
January = 80+ miles ran and 2 half marathons completed! I would say it has been a successful month!
The first 1/2 marathon was the Nike+ women's half marathon . It was a virtual half marathon that benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A run that people from all over could take part in. I am happy to have been a part to it. Everyone had their own course, their own path to run, but all of us ran as one. My first virtual run. Definitely enjoyable, especially knowing that it benefited LLS.

 The second 1/2 marathon of the month was the INAUGURAL Tinkerbell Half Marathon. The night before the half marathon we had the Team in Training inspiration dinner with Team in Training Participants from all over-- and all of those incredible individuals combined raised over ONE MILLION dollars for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. AMAZING! I am so blessed to be a part of team in training. To know such selfless and giving people. To be surrounded by such motivated CANCER KILLERS. To see the look on the participants faces as they entered was priceless--smiles on their faces and love radiating from their hearts.

I woke up for the Tinkerbell half before the sun rose. Actually the race started before the sun had risen!!We made sure we used the porta potty's before the race started, a couple times actually, so we wouldn't have to wait in the long lines along the course.  After, we made our way to our corrals, and waited for the fireworks to go off, so we could start our run at the Happiest place on earth. And what a magical run it was! Its always a joy to run through Disneyland. To see the characters along the course, the workers cheering, the joy of running down mainstreet before the park opens and through Sleeping Beauty's Castle! All creating so much excitement. You could feel the magic in the air!

When I ran those miles, seeing TNT participants running and those cheering on the sidelines, it always brings me back to WHY i signed up to run this race. Why I choose to run for hours at a time. I run for a cure. A cure for blood cancers. A cure for ALL CANCERS. I run in memory of my dad--for what took his life. I often think of that on my runs, and during this run, it was no different. When my feet got tired, I ran with my heart. And I think that is what really gets me through. I know why I run, and I continue to carry all of my honored teammates with me, every mile, every step, every day.

Without Team in Training, I don't know how I would have been able to finish these half marathons. These people, are my family. They are my support. They get me to that finish line! Last year on September 4, 2011, I ran my first 1/2 marathon with Team in Training, my first 1/2 EVER. The unforgettable Disneyland half marathon. It was an unforgettable experience! My time was 3:09:26. My goal for the Tinkerbell half was to get under 3 hours! And I must say,  I am overjoyed that I did--- barely!!!!
But it's a new PR.
A goal accomplished, and now a new goal shall be set!

Til next time!