The runner's high is a real thing!

And I experienced it yesterday!

I never thought I could top the feeling of completing my first half marathon (of course, I'm thinking running the full next month will probably come close :) But yesterday was simply AMAZING!

The weather was perfect...55-60 degrees and sunny. The run was along the coastline and FLAT with the exception of a random, super steep incline at mile ten that was probably only .1 of a mile long. I felt good...no, I felt great. I needed that after last weekend. The best part was setting my PR! I hit under 2:10 clocking in at 2:09:46, and that was including two loops backwards to check on my running pals and a shoelace stop. :)

A girl behind me at mile 7 was in a panic because she was out of sports beans and there was only Gu available on the course. I grabbed my beans and handed them off to her, and helping a fellow runner felt great too! She didn't want to try the Gu since she never had before, and one of the biggest racing rules I know is never to change your routine on race day. She was so appreciative...I smiled to myself watching her cross the finish line.

At mile 12 I also caught stride with a woman I've seen at other races. She has two tattoos on the backs of her calves that can't be missed. I said hi and told her how I've seen her at other races, and thanked her for unknowingly motivating me to really kick it at the end. As I took off she cheered me on. This is what I love about running. Perfect strangers united on this journey.

I felt so proud and happy after the race that I treated myself to a new shirt at the race(I never do that) and also took advantage of the free massage table. It was 5 minutes of bliss for my muscles.

Less than 4 weeks to go until the marathon. I'm trying not to think too much about this weekend's 22 miler. After that, the taper begins! I'm pumped!