Run Love...

I never thought we would be "runners." Ever. I thought it would be a check in the box.

I was ever so wrong.

It all started when our friends Juan and Viviana suggested we run a half marathon in Rome with them. Why not right?! 13 miles sounded like a good challenge for three-miler-runners, and how cool to do it in Roma!

*Spoiler*  We caught the bug - on the bus ride home from the half marathon we signed up for the Rome marathon (which was three weeks away)! We have been going strong since. Darn Sandoval's!

Race #1, Roma Ostia. Let's do this...

Any good race day needs to begin with a pre-race day dinner... and every good pre race day dinner needs to end with a yummy dessert.

I give you nutella pizza.

Magnific!

Buon Apetito!

Race Day!

When in Italy, race day must start off with a caffe! It's mandatory. Ok, it's not that serious, but we love our caffes, as do the Italians, so why not?!

Check out the growing crowd of racers behind us...

Warm up dance.

They were supposed to be taking a picture... but instead...

The silly Sandoval's. Love them!

The Keaton's (love them too)!

I couldn't believe all the clothing people were leaving behind.
(But now, the more I run, I realize some times you just don't care - you gotta do what you gotta do!)

And we're off!

Best oranges ever! Blood oranges never tasted this good!

One of my favorite parts about running is the food. And there is always food.

Our time was 2 hours and 17 minutes so you can ignore all the times displayed in the background... But that is the finish line.

Oh the relief!

Get a room Keaton's!

Medals. Another reason we run. Well, James anyways... Though after that race I must admit, I kinda felt like an olympian... Or in Juan's terms, a boss. Just saying...

Awesomeness.

Keaton's first half marathon - check!

It was pretty hard. Lots of inclines that we did not train for- the furthest we had run before this was eight miles (and even that was only once), and we were wearing Nikes (no need to explain that one to my runner readers...).

And three weeks later we were off to the FULL Maratona di Roma!

Eek!

Oh, and I dragged my co-worker "T" into it the race as well.
She's a beast.

Sweet Le Piume Nere hats (Our running club L.P.N. = The Black Feather) 

 Keaton's in their too cute hats.

Boys will be boys...

At the end of expo for the marathon our names would pop up on the screen to let you know it was reading the chip in our bibs... there are our names.... Yay!

Clearly it scrolled as T is pointing at James name and I'm pointing as her's. Oops.

 Two of my fave ladies, Viviana and T... and the balloons we borrowed from the kiddies...

Roma on race day!

By the Colosseum, getting ready to start. Ooh. Ahh.

Running past the monument for Victor Emmanuel... 

Check out the lady in the background. Many people wore costumes... Or just random clothes.

T being that asian tourist we all love- throwing up the peace signs and wearing her I heart Roma tee.

Too excited.

Potty break... I know you're glad we captured this moment.

Vatican city! We're almost there!

The clowns. They were awesome. At first I think they were pacers, eventually they were just obnoxious, yet admirable at the same time. They never stopped being loud!

Staying ahead of the clowns with Rich, another member of the running club. 

Pitt stop at the Spanish Steps. Don't judge our break.

Running past Fontana di Trevi.

FINALLY!!! 5 hours and 41 minutes later... 

I almost cried. I look happy but it was ROUGH! So mentally challenging!

There was a sign posted all over of a couple kissing... we tried to out do them...

I know, I know - get a room Keaton's...

Again we were running in our Nikes... we didn't learn. Neither of us run in Nikes now, hah...

It was a struggle for me, my stomach wasn't having the snacks or water, and my feet and knees were hating the run. But as they say, it really is a mental thing- you have to push yourself even when you want to cry, stop, eat, crawl, catch a cab... let's just say I probably would have received a DNF (Did not finish) if it weren't for James. What a man. I'll get you back next year ROMA!

Oh and T finished an hour a head of us... with very minimal training!
I told you... She's a beast.

This is only the beginning of our running adventures, but enough for now...

Wish you were here!

XOXO