Running with the cows!!

This past weekend, our family headed west to run in our first half marathon and 5K.  For some crazy reason, I got in my head that I wanted to run a half marathon for my 40th birthday.  You know..challenge myself to do something I never thought I could do.  Not sure where the idea even came from...I hate running...I always have.  However, my wonderful hubby came along side me and said let's do this.  So we trained together and I found that I loved this time we had.  We could run all by ourselves and talk (yes at first I couldn't run and talk but I got to where I could).  Our running time became a time where we could check in with each other and share our hearts without interruptions.  That is a huge deal when you have 5 kids with 5 busy schedules.  My mom jumped on board too and started training for a 5K.  So last Saturday, Gary and I started our first half marathon; the race was called Running with the cows.  The race benefited a local school in the area.  They had all the milk you could drink after the race...my kids loved that!  Soon after our race began, the 3 big kids, my niece and my mom started their 5K.  It was a cloudy, cool morning which was great BUT it was windy.  Not just a light breeze but wind gusts that would blow you back.  The wind just about did me in but with Gary's support and encouragement I finished the race.  It was not done in blazing speed but I finished.  Every inch of my body hurt but I finished.  I still hate running but I finished!  Will I ever do a half marathon again?  Not likely..you know been there done that!!  I think 5Ks may be more my thing!

Getting my number before the race

 Feeling good...before

 Gary and I before the big race

 The 5K runners

 Claire and her cousin, Mia did gymnastics in the gym while they waited

 Claire

 Mia

 Nicholas did his 5K in 27 minutes

 Hunter

 Brianna

 Sierra (in blue)

 My mom in the white

 Claire and Mia ran in the kids fun run..which was about a mile

 Here Gary and I are coming in..the kids ran out and finished the race with us

 We did it!!

Crossing the finish line!

 Caleb and the cow...

Half marathon down...mission trip to Uganda next!!