The finish is just the beginning

Three years ago I received a call from a country music loving, cowgirl at heart friend who had just finished walking The Walt Disney World Marathon with Team in Training, and she wanted me to join her in Nashville for the Country Music Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon.  How could I say no!? Any excuse to get together with friends, visit Music City, USA, and get it a run with 30,000 people....and so the journey began.

Erin, with a bun in the oven (miss Kylie), and I at our first Rock N Roll event

After finishing my first 1/2 marathon, I added an item to my bucket list: complete all of the Rock N Roll series 1/2 marathons. There is a slight problem with this bucket list item though....they keep adding more races!!! So, my list of races to complete is based on the list of races as of today, and there are 17 of them! I am looking forward to literally running all across the country.

My second RNR event was the inaugural Rock N Roll Denver, and I was joined by friend's husband, who was doing his first 1/2 marathon.

And of course Erin!

Last weekend I did my third race, the Arizona Rock N Roll.  And after talking about doing a race together for over a year, I was FINALLY joined by dear friend Heather. Although we both ran the Nashville race in the same year, we didn't know each other yet, so this was technically our first race together. Heather took on the roll of head cheerleader in Denver, but this time I was blessed to have her by my side for 13.1 miles! I couldn't ask for a more supportive, encouraging, and dedicated long distance running buddy.  Due to an IT band injury, I had a minor set back during training, and prior to the race I was averaging 3-5 miles per run before the pain would set in; however, I wasn't going to let that stop me from competing, even if that meant I would have to walk.  Prior to the race I did a lot of visualization and kept telling myself "you've got this Holly!"

Sunday morning Cassie, Heather and I headed down to the start line to join 25,000 other runners.  As we all took a moment of silence to recognize the victims of the Tucson shooting and then joined together in singing of the national anthem, I got a little emotional and took a minute to thank the Lord for all the blessings in my life, including my amazing family and friends, my health, all the beautiful creations I was going to enjoy for 2 hours on the run, and fact that we couldn't of asked for better weather to  run 13.1 miles in. Throughout the race I was constantly humbled by the people on the course...several people walking/running for people who had passed, a guy walking with a cast on his lower leg, and a guy with a sign that read "walking with diabetes and Jesus." We are capable of far more than we can even imagine. As one of my favorite quotes says, "Man imposes his own limitations, don't set any." I don't know what it is about these events, but as I approach the finish line, I always get emotional. It is such a huge feeling of accomplishment to complete something that in the distant past I never imagined I would be able to do.  The results of the race were beyond what I imagined....I ran the entire 13.1 miles and PR'd (got my personal best time)

For a pre-race, carb loading dinner, I introduced the girls to the Brioni Boys! 

Then we stopped to pick up a post race treat! 

It's always an adventure!

It's official, we're doing this!

Start line

We did it!!!

So thankful Erin (and Heather) has joined me for all the races! Hopefully she'll (they'll) be there for the next 14!

Miss Kylie has joined me for all three races too! Current cheerleader...future runner!

The trip wouldn't of been complete without FIG experiencing In N Out for the first time

The finish is just the beginning.....often times you will hear people say that once you do a 1/2 marathon, you will have the urge to do a full marathon.  Well I can honestly say that I never felt that....UNTIL...after this race! Although I don't know when or where, I have my heart set on completing a marathon.  Did I really just say that? Perhaps in Vegas, December 2011? The next leap of faith for me is training for and completing a 1/2 ironman triathlon in June!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13