3:03:15

It's official - I have completed my first half marathon with a personal best. How can you have a personal best if it's your first? I have actually walked 13.1 miles on several different occasions and the best I had up to that point was 14:41. Today I averaged 13:58 per mile.

How do I feel afterwards? Physically not too bad. My recovery time is getting better each time. Just a few sore leg muscles and the normal hip discomfort. I took the advice of several experienced walking marathoners and took along some carbs for the walk. About mile seven, I dug out the pretzels and snacked on those for about a mile. About mile nine I ate a fruit leather. It helped so much! At then end of the race I ate half a banana. I did not have all the yucky sick to my stomach and light headedness that I have had when I haven't eaten anything on the long distance walks that also included speed. I also wised up and ate a breakfast with both protein and good carbs. I had the right fuel to do well.

I was just past mile seven when the elite runners started to go by. From there on I had runners passing me at a steady pace clear to the finish line. Speaking of which, what an odd feeling to see that finish line. I was tired, but felt really good and strong. Who would have thought that this fat chick could finish any race let alone a half marathon.

I was chatting online with a friend not too long after the race and I think I said something to her like - I don't recognize myself anymore. Not only am I different physically, but I am different inside too. In good ways. Lord knows I have never been a fitness buff, but now I find I don't want to go a day without some kind of physical activity. I am braver, more confident to do things by myself. This race symbolized so much more than just having lost a lot of weight, it symbolized the shedding of this enormous haze I have been hiding behind and all the things I have let go by me because I couldn't or didn't think I could allow myself to take part.

I don't recognize me and that's okay, becasue what is me now is good!