16 Weeks

The leaves are turning and it's getting cooler.  I've spent 16 weeks running through the summer heat training for a 1/2 marathon, and now the day is upon me.  10-10-10.  It's only been the past few days that I've gotten to run in the cool morning.  It seems weird.  But I've done all I could do, and I've worked hard to get hear and I'm ready.

I've learned a lot through all of my running, both spiritually and mentally.  Seen a lot, as I've traveled many cities by foot.  And changed a lot physically, in the pursuit of also trying to lose weight.  Here's a look at all of the cities I've run in:
It started in Hutch:

It was here that I accomplished my longest distance ever (at the time) of running without stopping.  4 miles.  I was so nervous that day and even asked my Mom to pray I could do it.  I enjoyed running at Rice Park.

And the I took it to the streets running past the Cosmosphere and felt like I could go to infinity and beyond! (I know...I'm cheesy!)

And then we hit the road.  And my cities were going to expand...and quickly.  I ran through:

Kansas City

And it was there that I hit 7 miles.  My Dad ran with me a decided then that he wanted to do the half marathon as well.  I ran in Tulsa, OK after this but it was on a treadmill...so not much to take a picture of there.

Then was Fort Worth.

Houston

The hottest and most humid run in all of my training.

San Angelo

Lubbock

El Paso

The most beautiful morning I ran.  What a sunrise!!

Yes...Texas is a big state, and we saw quite a bit of it.  And then we finally made our way out to California.

Riverside

My old stopping grounds.

It was hear that I got past my wall of not being able to run 8 miles.  It was such a good day and I reflected on so much during that run.  

This one is pretty obvious what city it was.

Anaheim

This was a fun city run.  I hit 9 miles here.

Redondo Beach

This would be the run with the best view.  It was pretty awesome to run alongside the ocean.

The Strand (connecting San Diego and Coronado Island)

Another beautiful day, but this run was tough.  It was a long straight run and flat, but it was pretty windy on the way out, and on the way back it was hot.  But it was about to get even hotter....because then came:

Phoenix

It was there that I would cover my longest distance before the race.  11 miles.  I was out the door by 5:45 to beat the heat and get it all in...and also in time to be ready for church that morning.

I then ran in El Reno, OK but I didn't get any pictures.  Don't worry you didn't miss much there.  =)

And last but not least... I came almost full circle, finishing my training up back in Kansas City.

Running has really kept me more sane and grounded.  I'm pretty addicted now.  

So here we are.  The night before.  We have everything we need.  We've worked to get to this point, and tomorrow is the day!  Can't wait to tell you all about it!  Wish me luck!