achieved

one major goal i was working towards in 2011 (besides another adoption) was running a full marathon

 w/ my running buddy

 we completed it on 11/4/2011 at the monumental marathon

i think the universe was looking out for me because we were not contacted about the twins until 

after the race 

i was pumped, well trained and ready to see the finish line

there was a large group of us running 

(either the 1/2 or the full) 

we kept a good pace which would accomplish our goal time

the music, cheering from spectators and sheer joy of knowing

 i was running a freakin' marathon 

kept me going 

it was about 30-31 degrees and i couldn't feel me feet until about mile 4 

but after i warmed up i was soon stripping off the layers and by the end of the race

i was in a tank 

i ran the last mile the fastest i could and when i saw the lines and crowds of people 

hot tears filled my eyes

then i saw two friends with hand made signs screaming my name and i lost it

i was sobbing as i crossed the finish line 

I DID IT!

I DID IT! 

I DID IT!

is all that ran through my mind

i ran a marathon 

without stopping once 

and i felt absolutely amazing 

all the training had paid off

all those saturday mornings running for 3-4+ hrs were totally worth it 

(ok honestly i loved the long runs)

and i could have ran 30 miles the day of the big race  without much trouble 

ultras were my next on my list 

(and then we got the call about the twins so that goal has been placed on the back burner for awhile)