Run, run as fast as you can.....

Ok maybe not that fast :) But I did do the Chicago Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon, and I did finish :) WHOO HOO!! 2 hours and 40 minutes. My goal was under 3 hours. There were 30,000 people running and Steve got text messages 3 times during the race to tell him where I was. And my final time was texted to him. How fun!

Overall our week leading up to the race was uneventful. My training was winding down, which is hard to do when you are use to running 5-10 miles a time and then go down to running 2-3 miles, but it was relief for my poor husband. Saturday am we dropped the girls off at my parents. Steve, myself, Leah and Megan headed to Chicago. Our friends, the Koops' also joined us. Once in Chicago we walked all over trying to find exactly where I needed to be in the am. This was my first race so I wanted to know all the details before things happened. Sunday am Steve and I got up at 5am and made it too my destination and pre-race things. I got in line where I had to be and waited. They let groups of people go every 1-2 minutes. Steve followed along and watched me start. WHOO HOOO the race was on! I was by no means fast but my goal was to finish and run the whole way. No walking, no complaining and no regrets. I was successful! I LOVED IT!!! A little too much. I can't wait to do it again. However people ask, with my life how can you do this? Honestly it's not me that does it, it's my family. I had the easy job, put 1 foot in front of the other and run. My hubby had the rough job. Taking care of the house and kids when I would train. Some weeks it ended up being approximately 6 hours of training. Then at the race, I just run, and again my hubby and kids have to chase me and watch :) The only reason I did this was to raise $ for SuperSibs. Which we did! Our blogging family raised almost $800. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! My children and SuperSibs appreciate it so much! Together SuperSibs had raised over $30,000.

As much as I hope my running isn't over with, my husband and children need a break :) I think I'll stick to 3-4 miles for awhile and will probably be pushing a stroller. My husband is THE BEST for letting me do this. (he was even late for poker a few times, that's a BIG DEAL :) I loved the time to clear my mind and just be alone with God. God would always bring something to my mind or someone I need to pray for. I am still looking to the future for other runs, I just might have to be more creative with training :)

After the race. Still smiling :)

On to the rest of our Sunday............I called my mom after the race to tell her my time and come to find out Brooke was having trouble with her feeding tube. So we showered, packed and back to Michigan for an evening at the "spa" getting her tube fixed. She is all put back together and well. The girls we a little sad were had to leave to soon but they handled it like troopers. My friend said, "5 minutes after running 13 miles, Shelly's back to being a mom." In all actuality, I only did this because I'm a mom. After sitting on my butt in a hospital for 6 months in 2009, I decided 2010 was going to be different. Running 13 miles was much easier than sitting for 6 months :) No matter what I do, I will always be a mom to 5 wonderful girls. Leah is my new training buddy and our goal is a 5k for breast cancer in September.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)
24-25You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
26-27I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Hebrews 12

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.