I bet you thought I died...

This story actually starts back in September of last year when I first met Kim, my best friend. The first thing that I learned about Kim was that she recently had just run a half marathon and I thought...cool! This is one ambitious girl. So fast forward to January...Kim and I start hanging out a lot and become fast friends. We talk a lot about her half marathon and I tell her how cool it is that she did that. Then she says, well you can do it too, let's train for the half this summer together.

I laughed. Me, yeah right. I don't think so. I am not a runner. My latest running experience was a 5k where I thought I would die. Going from that to a half...didn't think it was going to work. But Kim in her awesomeness kept on the subject and finally I decided to "train" with her just to get her to STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!

But here is the awesome thing. I did it! With the encouragement from Kim and a few other friends I trained and ran a half marathon this summer. I started out slow and was able to increase my speed. I was able to run without feeling like I was going to die from not being able to breath. It was awesome. We would do long runs together and I felt great! It was amazing. I was ready.

And here was the coolest part everyone came to support me. My parents drove all the way from Colorado to see their baby run. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law and all my cute nieces and nephew drove all the way from Boise JUST TO SEE ME RUN! Oh what joy that brought to my heart to share this really big moment with my family. They are such a great support to me. Thank you so much for being there. My heart was overcome with emotion after I had been running for 2 and 1/2 hours to come up the hill and see my family whooping, hollering, and cheering me on as I ran the last little way. It was a moment I will always remember and I will be doing it again. COUNT ON IT!

And here is the best part to the story...tonight I was upstairs putting the kids in a bath and getting Jammie's on them and snuggling and when I came downstairs I saw this:
My sweet husband surprised me with an early Christmas present...a Garmin for running!! He wanted to give it to me now when I am still running all over so I can know how far I go and how fast I am going. I am so excited to go out and try it! He is the most thoughtful and sweet guy. I am so lucky to be married to him. He spoils me and I LOVE IT!