Yesterday, I crossed the finish line. It was hot, sticky, and unshaded, but mindfully rewarding.

Things I learned:

Bagels, PB, and Banana. I probably take it easy on caffeine. I never want to drink lemon-lime Gatorade ever again. Running in wet shoes after running in the sprinklers sucks. Hills are the enemy. Ice cold water and shade are my friends. Chocolate milk is pretty much a godsend.

Mile learners:

At mile 2, I thought I had run 4 miles. That put the number into perspective.

Mile 4, I saw a sign that said "worst parade ever". Man, I love that sign. Gets me every time.

Mile 10, I saw an older couple holding hands as they walked up a hill.

Mile something, I saw a sign that said "You run better than the government!" I laughed.

Mile 14 gets pretty lonely.

Mile 16, running next to the stage hurts my ears. Stop running next to the stage.

Mile 21, felt my legs turn stiff, hands swollen. My +Team In Training coaches really helped push me to the end, running by my side, talking me through it, and making sure I was properly nourished.

At mile 25, this girl came up next to me and asked to run with me. She was struggling too. My coach was with me at the time and she asked her "Who is waiting for you at the finish line?" to help her power through. Her mom and friends were waiting for her. I saw a little bit of life spring back into her legs and she started to run just a little faster. My coach left us to run the remaining 0.7 miles left. As much as we both wanted to just walk the remaining miles, we pushed and pushed to the finish line. I instantly felt a wave of happiness.

26.2 miles changed me. I want to thank everyone for their support and donations. If it wasn't for you, I really don't think I could have made it. I thought about everyone as almost every mile I struggled, because I felt that was when I needed you the most. A big thank you to my boyfriend Keyan Mobli, who makes me proud/happy/excited/in love/feel special/laugh/more stuff every single day.

Also, I've learned that I raise for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society not just for myself and preventing blood cancer. I'm running to help fight for someone. It is my inspiration.

If you would like to make a donation, there is still time. I haven't reached quite $2000 yet!

6 months ago. I had no motivation, and no goal. Just lost.

I thought about Team in Training, and decided I needed to kick myself in the butt and start running again. To stop feeling down and just move. I needed to help myself, and while I was doing it, I wanted to be able to help others.

I'm the happiest I've ever been. With the money we can raise together, we will be able to pass the same emotions to someone in need. LLS is dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services, and I'm there right along side of them.

I'm currently in school studying Human Nutrition and Foods. It's been a very rewarding semester so far, and I'm glad I made the switch. I still have a spot in my heart for Advertising, but learning about the body has been a truly eye-opening experience.

When I'm running, I'm going through the metabolic processes in my brain. It's an interesting phenomenom -- the body. My body is working to take each step, and it is working as efficiently as it possibly can.

Something I need to work on - Rest. There are times when I can't sleep because of my overthinking brain. But, when I finally lay my legs to rest, I feel my body slowly melting into the bed. Sometimes you don't realize how tired your body truly is.

This weekend will be fun.

13.1 was the farthest I've run. I grew restless last night thinking of the next morning's run, practically dreaming about it until my loud buzzing alarm woke me. I laced up my shoes, took a bite of the leftover baguette and was out the door.

Mile 1-8 were a blur as I listened to my music with the sounds of the cars passing by softly in the background. Mile 9-12 started to get just a little more difficult, because my ipod was slowly dying. I was popping jelly beans every 30-45 minutes and looking for watering stops that seem to be nonexistent on the trails here. I'm getting closer to home at 13.1 (new half marathon pr: 2:05!) and my legs realize that it's reached the point where it's always stopped at. Mind over matter, I dragged them the remaining 2 miles. Pushed out the thoughts of "oh, i'll rest here. oh, you're fine, you've already done a lot this week. oh look, a squirrel..." (Yea, your mind really starts to wander after a while) and finally hit 15. I wish I could share with you the beautiful images I've seen along the way -- the couples running together, the older couple walking hand in hand, the trees rustling in the wind, the dogs playfully running in the grass, and, of course, the blue blue sky. One day!

See my run here.

Now I'm eating my banana yogurt walnut combo, sippin' on some coconut water as I write this mini monologue. I'm doing something right hopefully, and I'm doing it for LLS. Find it in you to donate anything, $5, $10, $25. Maybe even a $1 a mile! 26.2 is a long way, but together we can make it there.