Today I ran my third half-marathon

Today was a great day. I finished the Chicago Half Marathon in 2:36:18. Not a spectacular time, but it was such a special experience because up until about Mile 5 I wasn't sure I was going to even run it. I was unprepared for the distance (my longest training run was 10 miles), it was hot and extremely sunny (great weather to be a spectator, NOT great weather to be a runner), and I had about 30 seconds of sleep last night (probably due to anxiety about how unprepared I was for the race). But....I did it. Around the aforementioned Mile 5, I started thinking, as I often do during long runs, of my stepbrother Bruce. September 5 was the 5th anniversary of his death, and since he died I've often thought of him when I need a little extra inspiration. Quite simply, it's important for me to run because he can't. Nothing magical happened - it wasn't like I saw him standing in the crowd or anything - but I did feel close to him today and it really helped me get through the tougher miles (which, after Mile 7, were pretty much all of them). I wound up walking about 2 miles out of the 13.1, and I feel no shame in having done so because it was so important to me to just finish. While I was running, I also realized that in a few days time it will be the 2nd annivesary of my divorce. I thought about how far I have come in that time - to where I own a home all by myself, am truly financially independent for the first time in my life, and am RUNNING HALF MARATHONS! It was an emotional day thinking about Bruce, and also about my own journey - and I feel extremely lucky that I got to play it out over 13.1 miles of Chicago streets that left me feeling so strong, proud, and thankful.