The Gary Bjorkland Half Marathon

Five days after Piper turned two, I ran my first half marathon! The Gary Bjorkland half marathon is a part of the Grandma's Marathon weekend in Duluth. Preparation for this run started about a year ago. I was seeing my family practice doctor and was horrified when I stepped on the scale (well, I was already disgusted by how my clothes were fitting, but the number on the scale put me over the edge). July 6, 2010 I decided enough was enough. The following day I got a call from my doctor saying I had hypothyroidism. Amen! I was hopeful that would explain at least half of the weight I wanted to lose. But I knew that I was responsible too, and so began my get healthy mantra. A friend came over for a long walk and she told me she'd have me running by the end of the summer. I could barely keep up with her. No chance I'd turn into a runner. Well, mid-September the Grandma's franchise sponsored a one-mile run in downtown Duluth. 250 guaranteed entries into the Gary Bjorkland would be given out (entries are done on a lottery basis, so you're never guaranteed to get in). I did the run...and got an entry into the half! For a long time I wasn't sure if I was going to do it or not, but by Christmas I had decided to go for it. Eddy got me running shoes for Christmas and I had joined a gym when the weather got cold.

Running ANY distance is a true accomplishment, as far as I'm concerned. My parents have stories about how I would do anything to GET OUT OF doing any physical activity when I was younger. I exercised quite a bit in college, and have done three rollerblade marathons, but this feels different. Without bragging, I have to say that I am really, really proud of myself. I'm proud of myself for taking control of my health and the way that I looked. Hypothyroidism or not, I am so much healthier now. Eddy also got on the get-healthy bandwagon, and he looks and feels amazing. We are very active with our kids, and Isaac often asks me "are you going for a run, mom?". It makes me smile to know that my being active is a normal part of his day! And I'm proud of how I made a decision to do this, and I stuck with it.

Race day was rainy and cold. I got on a bus at 5am to get to the start line. The rain stopped about 6:15 and was misting at 6:30 when it started. My slowest miles were the first two. And honestly, the race went by much faster than any of the training runs I did...there was so much to look at! By mile 7, there were more spectators lining the street.

My parents, Eddy, the kids, and a friend were at the end of mile 12, when this picture was taken. I got really emotional after I saw my family. It's a feeling that's really hard to explain.
This picture was taken as I had to loop around the final mile of the race. My family watched me on an overpass.
It took some time to get my medal, finisher shirt, some food, and my bag of stuff from the start line. The weather wasn't awful, but it was cool and a little windy. We stayed to watch the elite runners finish the full marathon. So emotional--they are so fast! I think there was so much going on, that we didn't even think to get any pictures at the end of the race. I wanted to get home and get out of my wet, sweaty clothes!

So grateful to my parents for coming to watch! I know Eddy could've handled the kids by himself, but I'm sure it was nice having some extra hands!
Isaac said he was "so proud mama that you won the race and got a medal". How cute!
My brother-in-law Aaron did the Grandma's full Marathon that day (started one hour after the half). This was his 12th marathon and he qualified for Boston Marathon a second time!
Will I do another half marathon? Who knows! I do know for sure that this healthier lifestyle Eddy and I have going is here for good!