Yesterday was race day and I'm very happy to say that, despite a leg injury, I was able to complete the half marathon! I didn't break any time records, but I'm very proud, nontheless.

My favorite part of the race were the first few miles, through Balboa Park. The scenery was beautiful and the starting line adredaline was still pumping. The middle part of the race got a little rough, but there were bands and cheerleaders and wonderful coaches offering encouragement aroudn every turn. I took a small break at the medical tent in the last third of the race, and though I was worried my sore leg would prevent me from finishing, I was back on my feet in just a few minutes.

The last few miles may have been more slow than I had hoped, but it was such a great experience and I loved limping across that finish line to a cheering crowd.

Even better than finishing the race was knowing that I was part of something that raised so much money to help find a cure for blood cancers.

Curing cancer and running a half marathon: I'd say that's a pretty good way to spend a Sunday morning!

Less than a month until Race Day! Are you pumped? I am.

Come out to Rubios in Carmel Mountain between 4 and 8 PM on April 7th and 20% of your purchase will go towards the LLS.

Just print out this image and hand it to the cashier. (You can also go here to print the flier.)

Drawings and other prizes, in addition to some good food, will make for a fun evening.

I did my first run with the team this weekend - 5.1 miles near the Bay. I have to admit, I did not RUN the entire 5.1 miles, but I think I did pretty well, overall. I'm starting off about 6 weeks behind most of the members, both in training and in fundraising, and the longest run I've ever done is a 5 K, the summer before I got pregnant, so, yeah, it's been a while.

As always, I find that the first mile and half is hard and I want to quit and go back to bed, but once I pass a certain point and get into a stride, I feel much better. Towards the end, I also had a woman to run with. She told me some of her story about why she's running (her husband is currently undergoing treatment for Luekemia) and that was a very powerful motivator.

My overall goal is to run the entire half marathon without any walking breaks, even if I'm the slowest runner there. I'm nervous, but confident that I can do it.

I'm excited to keep running with a group - to be pushed and challenged and encouraged by those who have more experience than I do.

In fundraising news, I've commited to giving up my weekly cappuccinos and donating that money to the LLS; I've challenged all of my Facebook friends to donate the cost of just one single drink this week. Feel free to join in the challenge! And be on the lookout for some fun giveaways coming up!

To make donating a little bit more fun, how about I give you something back?

Once I make it to $1000, I will put bright purple streaks in my hair in honor of the Luekemia and Lymphoma Society! And, of course, I promise to post pictures.