On September 29, 2012, Lauren and I ran 13.43 miles through the beautiful Smoky Mountains without stopping. Well, I did have to pee. But, mostly without stopping. ;)

It seems like every race that I run, I have to decide what it means to me. I think I run stronger when I have some emotion and meaning behind it.

This half marathon... I really didn't think I was ready for this. I have been so busy with school and work that I have been kind of slacking on my running compared to this summer. I was actually nervous that I wouldn't be able to finish. Not only did I feel unprepared, but this race honestly didn't have a huge meaning to me. I didn't feel a new leaf ready to be turned, a goal to accomplish,... I was just trying to survive.

Before the race, Lauren and I prayed. I wasn't sure what to pray for at first, but just like I knew they would, the right words came out. We cried, and then we just...ran. We ran for two hours and thirty-eight minutes.

This was the hardest two hours and thirty-eight minutes I have lived in a LONG time. It was so hard, just like I thought it would be. About two miles in, I felt it. I felt the dreaded sting in my knee that I've been getting on my runs. I always forget to properly stretch before I start and I was definitely paying for it now.

There were times when I was almost in tears I was so uncomfortable. There were a lot of times when I probably should have stopped running before I seriously injured myself... but I just kept on talking to Lauren while simultaneously praying to God that he would just get me through one more mile... one more mile....

I remember Lauren telling me about a poster that she saw and it said:
"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."


There were times that I wanted to give in: I didn't.
There were times when I wanted to compromise myself: I didn't.
There were times when I wanted to myself that I wasn't good enough: I didn't.
There were times when I wanted to stop running: I didn't.

Thank God Lauren could all of a sudden start talking during her runs, thank God I had her beside me to encourage me and to remind me that I was strong enough... capable of going just a little bit further...

This race was my most challenging run I have ever been on.
Because of that, I think this race changed me.
Not only did it give me the confidence to know that I am so much stronger than I think I am, but it gave me the assurance that if I really want something, I CAN GET IT.

Sometimes all we need is someone to remind us of who we are.
or A moment when our true colors are amplified and shining.

Sometimes just a simple reminder that you are somebody else's hero.