The Color Run.

I can pretty easily see how running in races is addicting for people, because after this last weekend, I am on the hunt for more runs to participate in!

It was freeeezing cold on Saturday, you guys.  The high for the day was supposed to be 55, but instead it was 41 degrees at 4pm when our race started.  And not a "pretty, sunny" 41 degrees either... it was windy, and looked like it could snow at any second. 

We arrived around 3:15 and found our way into the big long line.  We may or may not have cut in front of some people, but even doing so, we still were in the 12th group to be released.  They let 1,000 runners go every 5 minutes... so there was about 12,000 people in front of us.  Waiting for the countdown to begin before we could run was soooo exciting, my heart was beating out of my chest in excitement, and finally it was time!

We ran through 4 different "color stations" during the race.  Basically, it was about 100 volunteers standing and throwing color at you as you passed by.  If it would have been warmer outside, the color would have stuck better... but between the wind and no sweat, most of our color came off as we were running. 

The race was fairly easy, the only hard part was at the end when we were ready to be done but had a huge hill to run up first.  My Dad was an amazing encouragement throughout the entire thing... at one point when I started feeling "done", he said to me "Darlin' I am SO PROUD OF YOU!", which gave me the push to keep going even harder than I was before.

Such a fun time.

And, in case you were wondering, all of the color came out of my clothing and hair right away.  I was a little bummed... I hoped to have purple hair for at least a week.  :)

Today, I feel pretty stinkin' proud.  I participated in a race that I never thought I would, and I've worked my tail off to get where I am.  It hasn't been easy, and it's been a LONG (and discouraging at times) road, but now that I feel happy & healthy, I can tell you it's been worth it. 

And now I feel challenged to try something more.  3.1 miles seems like a little bit of a breeze, and so I'm trying to talk myself into trying a 10k... 6.2 miles.  My brother/Dad/Sister want to participate in one next month, and I'm pretty hesitant but yet feel like I could do it.

Maybe.  :) 

Also, for anyone wondering, I am now down 29.8 pounds.  3 more pounds to go, and I'll be at my goal weight... yet I still feel like I'm a long ways off.  Maybe it's time for a new goal. 

I think it's smart to always be working towards something.  Keeps you motivated... you know?