Houston Half Marathon 2009 Update

I finished the Houston Half Marathon in 3hrs and 30 min. Not a PR but one of the best races I have ever participated in. I had the pleasure of meeting many people on the course as well as new friends in my new running club.

I had the opportunity to run with Dawn and a student from the school I teach at. She did a wonderful job after running a fever yesterday. So we walked the last 4.1 miles. I have no problem helping others out as I have had this happen for me and it helps tons.

I will write more later when I have proper time to reflect on the day's events!!!

2009 Houston Half Marathon!

Most of you know I am not an athlete, I am a dancer. Always have been and always will be. But growing up in a family of athletes with my dad and brother into baseball, mom into surfing, sister into softball and tennis, I was always the oddball out and that is just fine with me!
As many of you know, I took up running 2 years ago. I was devastated when I broke my tallus bone in my ankle 4 weeks before the Houston Half Marathon. It killed me to have to go pick up the bib that I was selling to another person (a guy ran as Jennifer Edwards) and explain time after time why I was on crutches and not in the race. Never the less, I tracked my friends online and watched the coverage on television. I put up my running shoes and it their place had a cast and a walking boot.
After rehabbing my ankle, which is fantastic now, I decided to take up running again. I rejoined the running group at the time and met some fabulous ladies that I am proud to call my friends! I successfully ran the Houston Half Marathon in 2008 and went on to complete 2 more half marathons, a triathlon and a full distance marathon. This is a huge accomplishment for the girl who said she was never going to pick up her running shoes again after the break.
In 2008 a lot has happened, it was a bad year for my family in 2007 when we lost my grandmother to cancer, in 2008 we lost my father's father to empheyma. I used the 2008 race to remember my grandparents who are no longer with me, but supported me no matter what I decided to do. They were the most awesome set of grandparents a girl could have! That was my ultimate tribute to them! It seems fitting as they were big on the outdoors, and loved a great competition.
Houston is a special race for me, as it was my first and you never forget your first. I am a bit on the sentimental side of life a lot and feel that again I must race for a reason. So I dedicate this race to my family. They have stood behind some of my more crazier hairbrained ideas (who does a triathlon with little to no training anyways!?!?!?!?) and loved me every step of the way. There were plenty of days I was complaining, crying, and wanting to quit. But they just kept telling me how proud they were of me and how they were tracking me in San Antonio and coaching my nephew to say "Run Forrest Run!" while I was on the course. (I really needed that by the way...thanks Gav!)
So, I have a bib number, I have the shoes, I have the training, now it is time to shine! I am not a Kenyan so I probably won't be on TV, unless it is on the blooper reel, but I will be out there! I am number 29563, look for me!!!