HALF MARATHAN COMPLETE

So, Saturday was THE BIG DAY! My half marathon in Conway had finally come. After having to slow training down due to arch problems and being real nervous it had approached.

I had dinner at Olive Garden with Cade and two of our friends to carb load Friday night. I then headed to Conway to stay with the wonderful, awesome Karl family. It was great to see them and spend time with them. I got up early to eat my cliff bar and banana for breakfast then went back to sleep. I finally awoke to get ready, get to the Magee Center to pick up my packet and chip for the race. The race started at 8:10 for me due to the wave start that they had. Everything was going great until about mile 3 when I started to feel blisters developing on the bottom of my foot on the inside of BOTH of my arches. My goal was to make it to the 6 mile water station where my supporters Gray and Denise were to cheer me on. I walked up to Denise who was filming me and told her that I had blisters where she told me to "FORGET ABOUT THEM". That is a little difficult when you are running by your self and pain is in every step you make. I had to walk every hill after the 6 mile mark due to the extreme pain I endured while running up a hill. I FINISHED! I MADE IT TO THE FINISH LINE AFTER 2 HOURS AND 37 MINS according to my start time. My official time was 2 HOURS AND 42 MINUTES. I made my goal of making it under 3 HOURS! I did however have to walk, but I finished it running. I am proud of myself over all. I do not know however if I will be doing another one anytime soon. Ask me after these blisters that are the size of Texas on the bottom of my feet. I had blisters on top of my blisters... UGH! I am finally beginning to walk normal because of the blisters.

Only 2 more football games left until the end of Cade's playing career. Pray for a strong finish to the season and for Cade to finish without injury.

In Him,
Ashton