Joplin Memorial Run 2015

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This weekend I ran half marathon #4, The Joplin Memorial Run.

If we're friends on Facebook you might have seen a status that read like this:

Today I finished half marathon #4 with a time of 2:13:08! It wasn't a PR but it was a great run. The JMR has such a special place in my heart. I run to remember the 161, I run to defeat lies and fears, I run for the glory of God. He is SO good and has abundantly blessed us.

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me along the way. I couldn't do it without you.
Those words couldn't possibly be any more true.
Race weekend started like this. (My favorite part of the day)

And ended like this.

Everything in between was running, crying, mentally struggling, pictures, lots of hills, funny signs and smiles.
Let's take a closer look.
The race started at 6:30 a.m. we showed up about 5:45, prayed took photos and were ready to start.

My Dad surprised me and showed up to watch me start the race. It was really sweet to see him before I headed to the coralls and he snapped this picture right before we took off. 

Yes I am a total nerd.

The first several miles felt effortless. We were running and our pace was amazing. We can across the first official race photographer (who just happened to be at the top of a hill) and some how we were still smiling. I assure you Anna doesn't normally run with her eyes closed ;).


And I am almost always at least this awkward.

Things didn't get challenging until around mile 5. Anna and Lacey stopped to walk a bit and I kept running with another friend. I managed to stay with her for another mile or two but eventually my head won out and I stopped to walk then I found myself in a spot I never had been in before. On a long run, in a race and alone. It was completely bizarre and something I mentally had never done before. It was tough. I kept on the best I could. around mile 9 I realized a PR just wasn't going to happen but I knew I could at least stay within my goal if I didn't give up.

Then about here, I lost it. 

Those girls were a sight for sore eyes jumping up and down holding signs smiling at me. Tears flooded my eyes.

I stopped and talked to them for a couple minutes but knew I had to start running again or I never would. Off I went to battle out the last few miles. 
Around mile 11.5 I saw Michelle (in the left of the picture). She is a friend who was running her first half and she was just the inspiration that I needed. Someone to keep me accountable. I ended up running on a bit ahead of her but I knew with her on my trail I wouldn't let myself fall behind any more.
 
And eventually I somehow got here. There is nothing more beautiful at the end of a run than a finish line.

This half was so different than the previous three. This was the hardest course I have ever ran. The first time I have ran part of one alone and I knew this was going to be my last half marathon for almost a year. It felt so good to be done and each of those things made this race more challenging and meaningful for their own different reasons.

Exhausted I stood at the end of the finish line and cheered my girls in. 

I never imagined this race going this way, but I am almost glad it did. I learned so much about myself that day and ways that I can grow.
I came home, hung my medal up, stood back and looked.

I can't believe all of this has happened in just barely over a year. 
I run to remember, I run to defeat the lies and the fears, I run for the glory of God.

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