Audacia Ray

Yesterday, I ran my first half marathon with my dear friend Lia, through the many hills of Columbia, Maryland. It was awesome. I finished in 2:36:17, keeping a nice steady pace just under 12 minute miles. Not the fastest, but better than I hoped, and damn there were a lot of hills. I feel good today - sore but not achey. And I want to do it again. I still remember that first day I started the couch to 5K program at the end of last May, how horrible it felt to run for a full minute. And I remember the first time I ran for 20 minutes straight without stopping, and how amazed I felt. I love that I’ve discovered the possibilities and strength of my body in my early thirties. It has been so so good for both my body (I’m fitter than I’ve ever been, and lost 40 pounds in the past year) and my brain. Yes, I am an overachiever, and I do a million things. But running (and the other sports I’ve been adding, like boxing and this summer, triathlon) is the only thing I do solely for my own benefit. And I am so very glad I’ve made this commitment to myself.