BIG 3-0 and MARATHON!

What a weekend, what a weekend! The love of my life turned 30 and accomplished a HUGE achievement all in the same day! So, since Mankato announced they were going to have the 1st Mankato marathon and 1/2 marathon a year ago, Brad said he was going to do, being it being on his BIG 3-0! So, I laughed it off for awhile (Brad hasn't ran since his jr. high track days by the way and is the guy who used to drive to the mailbox at the end of the block to get the mail in the winter) until he told me to sign him up. So, we have been training for the 13.1 miles for the last 4 months! We invited all the family to join us and had some brave takers- my Aunt Ronda came all the way from Georgia and my Aunt Renea from Iowa came to run in Brad's celebration race. Keep in mind these two sisters are very competitive and have been running for a LONG time (just had to put that out there before we get to the results) place your bets now folks!
Anyways, it was supposed to rain all day of the race, went to bed super nervous about those 60% chance of rain showers from 6am on. But, surprise NO rain, which lead to.... no backing out! Lots of cheerleaders were ready too- my uncle Harry (the photographer) grandma Lori, grandma Weber, papa Weber, cousin Liz, Max and Anna, and baby Ethan! Great friend Jaci was their navigator and spotter so we have great pics. Sorry for all of them, but I am so proud of everyone I have to show them off! There were 2,000 racers at the start line, brought back old memories of high school track nerves! There were 1,000 1/2 marathoners!

At the house before the race- no RAIN yeah!

THE 3 1/2 MILE SPOT
Renea feeling good!!
Ronda excited too see her fans!
Chugging right along- feeling great!
Had to stop to see Ethan in his stroller!

8 MILE SPOT
look at this 52 year old go!!
This aunt is betting us too! Note the sports bra (and huge hill) in late October in MINNESOTA! Weather was great!
Waving to our fans- it was the perfect spot- a hill!
Still doing great, BRAD!

THE FINISH!
WAY TO GO RENEA! 3rd in your age group!Ronda finishing strong in her "much younger" age group!! She rocked too!
I never thought the end was going to come, had a blast though!
Happy to finish! I think I beat that guy.
Go Brad Go! Beat your personal goal!
Looking good at 30!

The results were as this: Renea (1 hour 53 min) , Ronda (1 hour 54 min), Wendy (1 hour 55 min) and Brad (1 hour 57 min). All under 2 hours all in the top 1/3 of the 1,000!
What a great time had by all! I am so proud of us!
Our youngest fan!



A celebration beer!
CHEERS!
Brad very proud of his metal!
It was a special day for Grandma Kathy on Friday, her birthday!
Brad said it couldn't have been a better birthday, ran 1/2 marathon under 2 hours, his CYCLONES BEAT TEXAS, and Iowa lost! Gosh, if I knew it was going to be that great, I wouldn't have bought him a gift!