I did it! I completed the half marathon! I can cross it off my bucket list. 
My friend Daniella and I met up at Mandalay Bay before the race. We got ourselves pumped up (and made a few trips to the bathroom). I was super nervous and she helped trying to calm me down!!!
As you can see, there were quite a few people running. I think there were over 35,000!
The weather was absolutely perfect. We really lucked out!
You can see us in the crowd. What do you think of my 5 dollar jacket from Savers. I tossed it aside pretty soon after we started running.
My family took over camera duties while I was running. My mom thought this sign was silly.
Bret Michaels was our post-run entertainment. My friend joked that she was going to throw her sports bra on the stage.
My sis snapped this picture! Gotta love that sign. There were some pretty funny ones along the way. One of the other signs I liked said: Run Like Tiger’s Wife is Chasing You. haha.
So let’s about the actual run… I felt great the first half. My friend and I ran together the whole time which made it so much better. Around mile 9 or so, my left knee just started to ache! I mean, my knees normally hurt when I get into those longer miles, but not like this. I stopped a minute to rest and that was not a good idea. Trying to even walk again hurt so bad. I picked up my pace a bit and just tried to run through it. I broke down into tears a few times. It was one of the most challenging things I have ever done in my life.
Ready to cross that finish line!! You can see me on the left in the white.
Zooming by..well more like giving every last bit I had to get through it.
And finally… success!!!
Daniella and I celebrating our victory.
My fam and I.
Kristen came out to support me also!
I still can’t believe I did it. I had to get numerous pictures for proof.
So many people…
Success!!!
Thanks so much for all your support and being there for me every step of the way!
I am so proud of myself, but my body (knees especially) just hate me right now. I am icing my knee as we speak and took tomorrow off so I see some pampering in the future…pedicure perhaps.
Thanks for reading!
What is the most challenging thing you have done?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh congrats girl – big cyber hug! So proud of you. Take care of that knee. Is it an IT thing????? Hope you have a great night.
Thanks so much!!! It could be an IT thing. I am not sure. I did a search online and it seems like a pretty common thing. I am definitely going to keep icing and resting it.
Congratulations!! I’m sending you a virtual high five! Way to power through that bum knee!
The pics I took came out good! I am very proud of you!! That pic of us, you and I look so much alike, kinda funny.
Wow, congrats on your accomplishment!! That’s wonderful. I’ve never done one but would like to. Hope your knees feel better!
My foam roller is my best friend—it was the very last thing I did before leaving my house for 3 weeks: bad IT bands are just deadly! (but so easily fixed!)
Major congrats on overcoming the adversity! You *should* be so proud of yourself! I’m proud of you, too! Go Kristen!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Sorry your knee hurt so much. Take good care of yourself!!!
Congrats! That is so awesome. All your hard work paid off. My most challenging thing would probably be moving overseas. It was a no-brainer because I get to be with my husband, but it is a challenging process to move that far and make all the arrangements and plans.
SOOOOOOO Happy for you! I opened my computer today hoping to hear about your race! There is nothing better than pushing yourself past your “point” and realizing, “yes, I can go further!”
Wow….isn’t this life, this body, this you…a miraculous wonder?
Thanks so much! I know, I still can’t believe I did it!!!
And yes, we should trade music!!!
Congratulations! What an achievement. You are seriously amazing and so strong.
xo
Yay! Congratulations!!! What a wonderful accomplishment!
Congrats!!! I’m doing my first half in March and I looooove reading recaps. Especially from first-timers.
I hope your knee feels better soon.
Congratulations! The Rock ‘n’ Roll events are so fun. Hope you plan another one soon, after you recovery.
Thanks so much!!!
Aww! CONGRATS! That is awesome, Kristen! I am sorry about your knee, but I can assure you I’ve been there. I cried a time or 2 during my last half, but it is such a proud moment to cross that finish line! You should be so proud!
Congrats!!!!!! That’s so awesome.
Congrats lady!!! That’s so exciting! Makes me want to start running again! Maybe after the holidays…
How awesome! Congrats! I did one years ago and now my husband is trying to get me to do the same Rock n’ Roll one next December. He, of course, would like to spend some time in Vegas (we live in Chicago).
Thanks so much!
I will say that it is such a neat marathon to do. The run is pretty amazing..you go straight down the strip.
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