So today was the big day! NPT 8K day.

Before:

After:

(And, yes, I did wear that shirt to make Mindy mad!)

I finished the race, though the consensus among runners was that the route got a little confused and/or “wacked up” and we somehow missed a turn. Because according to Nike +, I only officially ran 7.26 km. But I ran that much in 38:11, so I think I would have made my goal of finishing the entire 8K in 45-50 minutes. And, no, I didn’t run the entire race. I walked about three times, but only for about half a block or less each time. So I ran the majority of the race and lived to tell about it. Yes, there was a point when I thought it was never going to end. Then Mindy or Rachel would show up and yell “Way to go, Mandy! Keep it up!” and I magically found the strength to continue. Then I realized I was making the last turn to the finish line, made up my mind to pass the girl in the black shorts I’d decided I was not going to let finish in front of me, and decided to make a desperate last push. It felt good coming down that street, powering through with the finish line in my sights. The goal was to make a goal and follow through. I may not have come in first, but I finished, which is something to cheer about.

Check out all the pics by clicking here.