Twin Cities Marathon!

Last Sunday, October 4, my husband Chris and I accomplished a feat that was months in the making: we ran the Twin Cities Marathon together, raising over $2,200 for the American Cancer Society!

When we started our running program last June, the farthest distance we had ever run was 6 miles. I’m proud to say that we are now marathoners, completing the 26.2-mile marathon in 4 hours, 44 minutes! From our arrival at the Metrodome before dawn to our finish at the Capitol building in St. Paul, every moment was a new experience and one that I’ll never forget.

My own biggest challenge came at mile 16, when I hit what some runners call “the wall:” my legs decided they did NOT want to move—and there were still over 10 miles to go! Completing the race was one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced. What kept me going was thinking of the reason that I was running—to honor my stepdad Jim’s cancer battle—and all the people who supported Chris and I throughout our training and fundraising.

Crossing the finish line was the most amazing feeling, especially because my husband and I did it together! I am so proud to say that we ran the entire race (which was especially challenging when it seemed like so many people around us were walking!) and finished injury-free. The best part was knowing that my mom and stepdad were there cheering us on. They traveled all the way from Michigan just to watch us race, and their support helped us finish strong!

Running has been a great way Chris and I to spend time together, connect and de-stress after a long day, and fit in a workout at the same time! We may even join a winter “Polar Bear” running club for Saturday morning runs—stay tuned!

2 Responses

1. Pam Mapes says:

   October 14, 2009 at 8:25 pm

   Congratulations Audrey and Chris!!! Thank you for your hard work and effort!! We are very proud of you and you should be proud of yourselves. What a wonderful thing you have done for Jim and others!!!!
2. Jim Mapes says:

   October 14, 2009 at 8:27 pm

   I am so proud of both of you. In past years, I have run in quite a few 5k races and had considered running a 25k (15.5 miles) at one time, but the time committment just to train for that was too great. Committing to a marathon and training for it, let alone actually running it, are grueling tasks that many people don’t really consider when they hear that someone has run a marathon. You two did it, while raising a lot of money for a good cause at the same time! Congratulations. You guys are incredible.

   Jim