Run Forrest, Run!

Last weekend, I willingly subjected myself to physical torture-- running for two hours non-stop, as I participated in the 36th Annual Amsterdam Marathon.

Okay fine, I trained for almost two months, so it wasn't that bad (in fact, I was actually under my goal time) until the next day when I couldn't sit down without bracing myself because my quads decided they didn't want to function anymore.  It was only around kilometer 14-17 that I truly wanted to fall over and die.  The only thing that got me through was knowing that I had a team of people spread throughout the route cheering me on....and singing "O Canada". 

Attaching The Official time tracking chip to my shoe.  Telltale sign that this race is for realsies.

Finally found my starting chute and am ready to run!

I believe this was around the 5km mark, still feeling great at this point. Seeing Sander's parents gave my energy levels a good boost too.

Finish line! I'm somewhere in that crowd...

The amazing banner that Sander made.  Funny story though, I was so focused on spotting familiar faces that I missed the banner, not once, but twice as they cheered me on throughout the race.

My support team cheering me on.  At this point, I was so happy to be going downhill...that is until I realized that I had to run up the hill I just went down. 



When I arrived in Holland, I said "by the end of the year I want to be able to run half a marathon".  Little did I know I'd reach this goal just two months after arriving.  I am so proud to have reached my goal, and so thankful that I had a wonderful group of people there to support me.  I couldn't have done it without them!