12.27 miles...done!

Ever since I started training for the Wentachee Half Marathon about a year ago, my goal has been to run from the intersection of Crystal Springs and Baker Hill Roads to the intersection of Toe Jam Hill and South Beach Roads and back, a distance of about 12.27 miles.  Today, I did it!  It was hard, it was painful, and I did it!  It took me 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 31 seconds, and I did it! I'm ready for the race and wish it wasn't two weeks  away.  I'm nervous about getting hurt or sick before the big day.  But I know I can do it!  Ben prayed for me last night.  He prayed that I would be able to do my run, that I wouldn't be miserable while I was running and that it wouldn't rain.  I prayed for myself, too.  I prayed that the blessings of "run and not be weary" would be mine.  Prayers work!  I can't say I wasn't weary, but I wasn't miserable.  The first 8 miles went really well, the last four+ were really hard.  My legs were cramped and it hurt to walk when I finished.  It didn't rain, and the sun was out for part of it, which was a huge blessing. Bring on Wentachee!

Another thing that helps me get through a long run is my music.  Some songs I like just because they have a great running beat.  Others have words that make me want to run more; some snippets of those, in no particular order of preference:

I want to live where soul meets body

And let the sun wrap its arms around me

And bathe my skin in water cool and soothing

And feel, feel what it’s like to be new

“Soul Meets Body” Death Cab for Cutie

There's so many wars we’ve fought,

There's so many things we’re not,
But with what we have,
I promise you that,
We're marching on,

“Marching On”  One Republic

My body tells me no
But I won't quit
Cause I want more
Cause I want more….

Oh, it's my road
It's my road….

“My Body”  Young the Giant

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting
Till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the World

“We are the Champions” Queen

It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
I had the radio on, I was drivin'
The trees went by, me and Del were singin'
Little Runaway, I was flyin'

Yeah runnin' down a dream
That never would come to me
Workin' on a mystery, goin' wherever it leads
I'm runnin' down a dream

I felt so good, like anything was possible
I hit cruise control and rubbed eyes
The last three days the rain was unstoppabl e
It was always cold, no sun shine

I rolled on as the sky grew dark
I put the pedal down to make some time
There's something good waitin' down this road
I'm pickin' up whatever’s mine

“Runnin’ Down a Dream” Tom Petty

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream, I have a dream

I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream, I have a dream
I'll cross the stream, I have a dream

“I Have a Dream”  ABBA