Saturday, April 25, 2009

Country Music Marathon '09

I have wanted to do a marathon for a while now.  It's something I talk about forever, but kept making up excuses why I couldn't do it.  Well this was my year finally.  I decided that since I was turning 30 this year it would be a good year to do it.  I have been training since January for the Country Music Half Marathon.  Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I have been running with a group of friends.  I have never been a runner so starting out was hard, but after I did it for a while it became easier and I loved it.  Today I got to put all my training into play and I finished at 2 hrs and 19 minutes.  And I didn't walk at all (there were times I was dragging my feet, but they were jogging).   I didn't really care about my time, my goal was to not walk and I'm so glad I kept on going.  This was just the most amazing experience ever.  The Country Music Marathon is here in Nashville of course and they have bands set up all through out the course (mostly country music), but there was the one band playing outside of a church and they were singing "Our God is Mighty to Save" and it was just awesome hearing Christian music.  It gave me chills and tears were in my eyes because I just kept thinking without Him I wouldn't be doing this.  God was definitely there through it all and without Him I wouldn't have "Pressed towards the Goal".  So here are just a few pics from the day.  Jonathan and Aiden came out to support but I never saw them until the end.  There were 35,000 RUNNERS!  And I can't even imagine how many spectators......let me just say a TON!  There were people lined on the streets for most of the 13 miles.  It was awesome just hearing people cheer you on the whole way.  


My biggest supports.....Jonathan and Aiden
Aiden, Me, Lyndsay, Jeannie, and Jordan.  Some of my running group.  
The girls at the Pasta party the night before: Lyndsay, Jeannie, Jordan and Me.
My metal!  I told Jonathan I want to wear it all week where ever I go!  



***Update....my friend Brent was there watching the race and got a picture of me.  He sent this picture after I had done this post, so of course I had to add it.  Here I am smiling as I ran by him.  I think this was around mile 7 or 8 so that's why I'm still smiling.  Glad he didn't take my picture around mile 12 because no telling what I would have looked like!  

7 comments:

David & Nekayeh Carothers said...

YEAH JULIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are sooooooooo proud of you!

The Bertram's said...

Way to go! I am super impressed.
You should be really proud of yourself.
Devin

The Walkers said...

Congrats!!!!! I am so proud of you!
Lauren

Anonymous said...

WOW! AWESOME! That is a long run...good for you. I know Jonathan has to be so proud of you. I know I am.

Now that you have that behind you, go home and kiss Santa Claus...You know what I mean..... LOL

Love you folks...wish I could have been there to cheer you on.

Marta

The Proctors said...

I am so impressed Julie!! That is awesome! I just want to run a 5k and here you are running a half marathon. I would love to know what your training schedule was like. I may email you.

Corbin said...

Congrat Julie Carter thats awesome!!! I am SO proud of you!!! The only way I run is if someone with a weapon is chasing me or a scary dog. Congrats!!!!
We need more post about the amazing things us moms accomplish!!!

Jill said...

Way to go, Julie!!! What an accomplishment!!