10 miles? Haven't I been here before?

It's been a while since I've run a long distance but I can tell you that there is a marked difference with what I am able to do this 3rd time around.

I've run The Shiprock Half Marathon, Nike + Women's Half Marathon and The Las Vegas Marathon.

When I was training for the Shiprock the first time, I was new and it was a huge sense of accomplishment to run from my house to McDonald's on Speedway and home again. The first time I had on my water pack and left the house a little nervous and wondering what people where thinking as I trucked along.

When I was training for Las Vegas Marathon, the Nike + Half just happen to coincide with our 14 mile training run so I didn't really train for it. It was just a happy coincidence.

When I hit the 10 mile mark for the Las Vegas Marathon, I kept thinking now I just have to do it again. That's was mind blowing. 10 miles is a big deal, no matter how far you've come.

This time, I didn't have to get one foot in front of the other, I had to stay dry and think good thoughts for my sister. It was not a run for me, it was a support for my sister. I knew that I could run 10 miles but my sister had never been this far in her life. I had to be strong for her and make her feel like this was just another run.

She made it and that made me happy.

After our run, I felt tired, my shoulders were sore and my legs bothered me all night but I didn't need the nap like I did before. It was a good run, it was nice to get back into the swing of things.

I don't run for my own strength anymore, my purpose has changed, I am here to make sure all my raptors know that anyone can complete this journey no matter how much of a beginner they are.

I'm here for you Raptors. You will make it through this life changing event.

Tia