time to run

The time has finally come. This weekend I'm running a half-marathon! This has been a goal of mine since I first started running almost 5 years ago. Back then, I hated it, and even a mile was torture. But I stuck with it and eventually, I came to love it. The feeling of pushing through the physical exhaustion and mental battles and finishing a run is so satisfying. I've tried training for half-marathons before, but I always ended up injured or with tendinitis. Some things clicked for me this time, and I'm closer than I've ever been.

I'm running the Livestrong Austin Half-Marathon on Sunday morning. I'm excited but I've also got the nervous butterflies. I'm ready for it to be here. I've put in the time on hills, and I've pushed through some really physically and mentally tough runs. Now my only goal is to finish this thing. I've been working all week on creating a playlist that will keep me pumped up and excited throughout the 2+ hours I'll be running, so I thought it would be fun to share a little sample...

"Young Forever" - Jay-Z
"Up Up Up" - Givers
"Charlie Brown" - Coldplay
"Robot" - Trip Lee
"Montezuma" - Fleet Foxes
"Riot" - Tedashii
"Barton Hollow" - The Civil Wars
"Jesus Walks" - Kanye West
"Trainwreck" - Mat Kearney
"American Girl" - Tom Petty
"Countdown" - Beyonce
"Mess of Me" - Swithcfoot
"Good Vibrations" - Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch
"The Beat" - Ben Rector
"Swagger Like Us" - T.I., Kanye, Jay-Z, & Lil Wayne
"The Reckoning" - Needtobreathe
"You, Me, & The Boatman" - Quiet Company
"Stay Young, Go Dancing" - Death Cab For Cutie
"Lose Yourself" - Eminem (my power song)

The playlist is ever-changing, so please feel free to share suggestions!

My parents are coming in town tomorrow to cheer me on, and I think the energy from the crowd and other runners is going to be incredible. I can't wait! Maybe I'll even see Lance Armstrong.

I'll be back to let you know how it goes Monday...if I live to tell the tale.


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