![DSC_0417-1 DSC_0417-1](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGYzlT5VI/AAAAAAAAHBw/5Paih3lTJOk/DSC_0417-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800)
1. Running a race the day of daylight savings that requires you to show up two hours early for parking = a very early morning.
![DSC_0339 DSC_0339](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGZubLsqI/AAAAAAAAHB4/MvoLO9tLkNw/DSC_0339_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800)
2. Over 5,500 people running = a long potty line.
![3_13_11 Shamrock Half Marathon1 3_13_11 Shamrock Half Marathon1](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGaW73fII/AAAAAAAAHCA/y473GwSOUiI/3_13_11-Shamrock-Half-Marathon1_thum.jpg?imgmax=800)
3. It helps to wave your hands up and down to make sure your cheering crowd sees you.
![DSC_0358 DSC_0358](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGbK8JGvI/AAAAAAAAHCI/HsQZuV4gUB8/DSC_0358_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800)
4. You know a real friend when they want to get up at 5:00 am to come watch you run.
![getting passed getting passed](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGb9h3vuI/AAAAAAAAHCQ/UFIgDxm9SCI/getting-passed_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800)
5. There are many people much faster and more fit than you. Don’t take it personally.
![DSC_0487 DSC_0487](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGczKJhvI/AAAAAAAAHCY/87PtBXb-Y2w/DSC_0487_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800)
6. It feels good to finish.
![DSC_0552 DSC_0552](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGdmnRzVI/AAAAAAAAHCg/zekiqdguMiY/DSC_0552_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800)
7. And to brag.
![DSC_0569 DSC_0569](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGeXesXqI/AAAAAAAAHCo/4_FYRipW7UQ/DSC_0569_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
8. It is good to have friends who push you.
![DSC_0553 DSC_0553](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGfAk1qhI/AAAAAAAAHCw/qqXNKZ2WfUg/DSC_0553_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
9. And to have a supportive husband and a nice camera.
![DSC_0556 DSC_0556](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGf5_sJYI/AAAAAAAAHC4/zCXBEQtLALE/DSC_0556_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
10. Plus it gives your parents something to enjoy to take their mind off of wanting you to have children.
![DSC_0530 DSC_0530](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_B_Y9yBiIWpM/TYEGghJJGsI/AAAAAAAAHDA/muE32IpD33g/DSC_0530_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800)
Finishing Time {2:04}
Would I do it again? {Yes!}
A full marathon? {Not any time soon}
After run craving? {A whole bag of Dorritos!}
*Thanks so much for all the comment love and Facebook support! It means a lot to me that so many of you were excited to share in this exciting milestone of my life! xxoo