Telling jokes, raising money, and running like the wind (or a very slow breeze)

This weekend was definitely a special one.  Not only did I get to perform with some fantastic women on a benefit show, but I also completed my second half marathon!

On Saturday, I did a show to raise money for the Michigan Animal Adoption Network. It was the first time I got to try out my animal attorney jokes, and they went over really well!  Not sure when I'll ever bust them out again, but it was good to get them out.   I performed with some awesome women: Leslie Ann Thompson, MaryAnn DeMoss and Laura Witkowski.  And, as an added bonus, my good friends Angie and Kellie stopped by the show. 

Us collecting money (i.e. the best part):

After the show, I drove back home and got a few hours of sleep before heading out to do the Capital City River Run Half Marathon.  When I signed up for the race, I made a concrete training plan that supposedly would make running 13.1 miles feel as easy as crossing the street.  Too bad being a full-time law student got in the way.

Not only did I not stick to my training plan, but I only ran once a week for the past month or so, and none of those runs was over 4 miles. 

So, on Sunday, I decided to pack my bus pass along with my gels and Swedish fish.  I figured I would run until I got tired and then take the bus home. I mean, it wasn't like I was going to win the thing, so they not just have fun and enjoy the free t-shirt?

Speaking of which, here she is:

I started off with the twelve minute mile group and felt pretty good for the first couple of miles.  Then, I had to pee.  Bad.  So I left the group and waited in the line at the port-a-potty. I made a feeble attempt at catching up with my group, but to no avail.

So I decided to run my own race.  I'd walk when I needed to, take in the scenery (the course was along the river) and blast New Kids on the Block through my headphones (per usual).

To my surprise, I felt great until mile nine.  After that, I hit the wall runners always speak of, and by mile ten, I was ready for the race to be over.  But, by that point, I figured I might as well finish.  What's another three, if I had already made it ten?  Plus, my bus pass was so covered in sweat that I'd be too embarrassed to use it.

My legs and stomach cramped pretty bad, but somehow, I pushed through. When I spotted the finish line, I could not stop smiling (that and because I was listening to New Kids).

That's one of the things I love about running: it makes you push yourself to places you never thought you'd be able to go.  And when you finally reach them, the feeling is overwhelming!

After crossing the finish line, I practically limped to my car, treated myself to some Taco Bell and a nap (not at the same time) and studied the rest of the night.

As much as running 13.1 miles hurts, it's still a lot more fun than homework.

And now, onto the pictures:

I'm blaming my slow time on stopping to pose for pictures like this along the course: