WE DID IT!!

I know it's been a while since my last update, but that is because my life has just been a whirlwind for the past couple of weeks! It all started when we took a weekend trip to New York. Stuart had a meeting there on Monday but we went out on Friday and did just about everything (however briefly) you could do in NYC. Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Broadway Show, Central Park, hot dog stands, Little Italy, China Town, Times Square, Brooklyn, and lots and lots of train rides. We had a great time, despite the fact that the weather was less than ideal. I'll post the video and you can see what I mean.

The closer the race got, the harder it seemed to train. We were so busy! I got up at 6am some days, but I was still nervous to run 13 whole miles. Before the race we had to plan and execute the 30-Hour Famine, which is no small task. Thankfully the Student Life staff is hard working and recruited some hard working volunteers. All in all it was a great 30 hours. What made it better is that Elise was in town and Kaylee came to hang out for the weekend too! Of course there is a video documenting this wonderful event, so I'll post that one as well.

Team Run for Change raised about $600, and as a big group we raised around $17,000! All of that money goes towards the life-saving work World Vision is doing. We're glad to be part of making a difference in the world, and we're SO grateful to all of the people who donated toward the cause. THANK YOU!

So finally the BIG DAY came. For those of you worrying, don't. The three of us did our fast for the 30-hour famine a couple of days before the actual event. We figured it wouldn't be the wisest thing to go without food right before such a momentous event. We were nourished and ready to go. Stuart, myself, and Jake, along with our faithful cheerleaders Kaylee and Elise, headed downtown around 5:30am Sunday morning. We got on the Marta (train) to take us into Atlanta. That's where we started seeing all of the legit runners...and we fit right in. Elise and Kaylee got off a stop earlier to go to the cheering section at Mile 2. We checked our bags in, stood in line at the port-o-potties for about 15 minutes and once we got to the starting line the race had already begun. So we joined the herd of cattle...I mean runners...and there it began. No time to take it in or have second thoughts. Just start Running!

The best part was the beginning. Weaving in and out, passing all the slow people. Never mind those were doing the same to us. The three of us (Jake in red, Me in white, and Stuart in blue) stayed together the whole time. It was really exciting to see Kaylee and Elise at mile 2. There sign encouraged us as it said "Only 11.1 to go!" Turns out they were having way too much fun being spectators (video to come).

So we ran, and ran, and ran. Water stations every couple of miles to keep us going. Our only goal was to keep running, and not be last. The mile markers were a relief each time. It was great running together because it felt like a team. Jake would stop to drink his water and come sprinting full speed to catch up. He had a smile on his face the whole way. We were surprised to see our cheerleaders again at mile 10. By this time we were anxious for the finish line as it was the hilly-est part of the race. When we got to about mile 11 we heard cheering behind us. Finally we saw what it was about. The MARATHON first place runner was about to pass us! I found out later that he finished the race in 2 hours 20 minutes. He ran 26 miles 4 minutes slower than we could run 13! It was a really cool moment.

FINALLY we made the last turn and saw the glorious finish line...and Elise and Kaylee jumping up and down like crazy. Our final time was 2:16. And there were still people behind us when we finished! It was a great, great feeling. We were very proud of our accomplishments and rewarded ourselves with free massages. I really am still in disbelief that I run 13 miles and survived. Three months ago I could barely run 2 miles without my legs nearly collapsing.

Now on to the next one! Who knows when that will be? You're definitely invited though. If I can do it, you can too!! I should probably keep working out to stay in shape...maybe tomorrow.


Here's the Video!!