Denver Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon

Hello Everyone! As you know, my race was last Sunday... and I have one thing to say... THANK YOU!! Seriously, thank you everyone for all of the donations, good lucks, enthusiasm, support, and on and on. I finished the race in 2 hours 3 minutes and some change. That means that I shaved almost 10 minutes off of my time from last year! Woohoo... a success! I can't say that I felt great during or after the race... but it is over and I am thrilled with the results.

Not only am I thrilled with my time, but also the fundraising that team DetermiNation did. Together, we all raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society! I am so proud of our team and every individual on it... what a fantastic year, guys!

Well, enough chatter, folks. Here is a picture journey through race day. It may get rough... be prepared.

 Here we are in the "warming area" at 5:45 AM. An ACS volunteer was nice enough to let us get ready in the community area of her apartments above the 16th street mall. Basically, we were VIP.

Thank goodness we invested in those running tights the day before. The only layer between our skin and the 30 degree air. Geez, Colorado, what happened to autumn?!?

Now I'm all pinned up and ready to go with the ribbons of some of those who I was running for. You are all an inspiration...

 And we're off! John almost missed me I was going so fast! Or not.

Check out that rock star...after all what would the Rock n Roll marathon and 1/2 be without a rock star? What you can't see behind him... ELVIS!! Sweet jeggings man.

Just headed past mile 3.5. The best poster I saw while I was running: "Worst Parade EVER!"

Another rock star along the course... John pretty much loved this inflatable superstar.

Here I am entering Cheeseman Park around mile 10.5. Trying to hold it together, but feeling exhausted and in some pain.... yukk.

And here I am leaving Cheeseman Park around mile 12. The marathoners had just turned off. All I could think was "THANK GOD I DIDN'T TRY THAT". Maybe some day...

There's Whit... looking a lot more lively than me! Too bad we never caught up with each other!

After the finish... Since John, his awesome parents, and Greg were out on the course to cheer us on, they couldn't get any pics of the finish. No worries, though, I needed them right where they were. I like this pic with our boys after running and wrapped in space blankets... beginning to remember how cold it actually was.

Here I am hanging out at our VIP ACS tent post-race. I forgot to put my medal on for the pic!!

Oooh... now I remember how cold it is haha. But there's the medal. Despite my efforts, I could not seem to get a picture in full racing gear WITH my medal haha.

Really, think about joining our team. DetermiNation does every rock n roll event in the country, I believe. It is such an inspiration to run with such awesome people and do it to fight back against cancer. Plus we had our own personal cheerleaders along the course and breakfast burritos afterwards!

And now, a little rock n roll for the rock n roll 1/2 marathon! Smash Mouth was incredible!! Plus I totally forgot that I actually know every word to "All Star". Really... every word.

And finally... post-race recovery drinks. You didn't think I'd forget did you?

Well everyone, that was my journey this year at the Denver Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon for team DetermiNation. Thank you once again for all of your love, support, and general awesomeness. You have been incredible and helped our team raise over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society! How inspiring! Let's hope that we can make a difference in this battle!

What's next for this rockin' runner? Welp... besides lots and lots of school and work... the Buffalo Turkey Trot!!! Because I can't get enough of freezing my butt off while inflicting pain on my body for miles upon miles! But... really... it'll be fun... who's in??