i've made a terrible mistake

This weekend, I travelled down to Nashville with my aunt, cousin and sister to run in the marathon they have there. When I signed up for the race about 7 months ago, I thought there was plenty of time to train for it. When last week rolled around and I had done zero training for it, I decided I could probably still do the half marathon. I mean, after all, I am a Neeley and that comes with a certain amount of natural athleticism (despite what you may think by looking at me).

So, the four of us go and pick up our race numbers the night before the race. The marathon race numbers are black, while the half marathoners are red. I asked the lady who gave me my number if I could switch to the half and she said sure - I just had to split off with the halfers at the appropriate place, no problem. So, that was my plan. My sister was doing the half and my aunt and cousin were doing the full. We talked about it, and aunt and cousin were confident that I could, in fact, do the full. I decided to see how I felt at the end of the half and perhaps go on.

The race starts and I did feel pretty good during the half. I'm slow, but I know that. I walked about a half mile of it, but that was all. So, when the split came, I decided I could, in fact complete the full. After about 15 miles I realized I was an idiot. If I didn't even train for the half marathon, how could I think to complete a full 26.2 miles? I mean, there's being confident and then there's being a damn fool. Of course now there are only two options: finish or ask an ambulence for a lift back in. And you know I'm too stubborn for that. So, I finished. Around mile 18 my body decided there was no more running in it. I hobbled the last 8 miles in, going slower and slower, each mile getting farther and farther apart. I thought I would be walking for the rest of my life. Finally, I reached the end - one of the last finishers. I actually started crying a little when I saw the finish line. But I did it. I got my medal.

I just want to say - it was a hard course. It was so hilly! I always felt like I was going uphill. And it was so bloody hot. Even the guy who won was projected to come in at 2:15 and didn't come in until 2:34. Oh, and also someone had a heart attack. So, I feel like a champion for even completing. Just don't ask me to move at all this week.