Two Half Marathons, One Puppy, and a Month of Memories

When I planned this trip, I knew there would be two half marathons.

What I didn’t know was how many other memories would end up filling the space between those finish lines.

And I definitely didn’t know I would be making them all with a tiny puppy riding along beside me.

Jekyll Island

Race morning.

I ran the Under the Oaks Half Marathon — my first race since bringing Bandit home, and his first big adventure.

The race was pretty much what I expected. The heat was getting to me at the end, but I finished strong.

The part I didn’t expect was what came after.

A puppy discovering the beach for the first time.

Watching him experience something completely new reminds me how much I love that part of travel — seeing places through fresh eyes.

Even my own.

Brunswick

The next day, I went kayaking near Brunswick.

For years, Babe had been my adventure buddy. He was beside me for hikes, runs, camping trips, and so many miles of exploring.

Now I am starting a new chapter with Bandit. He was too little to bring kayaking, hopefully that will come soon!

He is still figuring out what traveling means.

Honestly, so am I.

But that is part of the fun.

A new companion. New memories.

A different season of life.

My Parents’ House

From there, we headed to my parents’ house and stayed for a few days.

There was crabbing with my mom, good food, and time visiting old family friends from Puerto Rico.

The places are always part of the story.

But the people are what make the memories.

That has always been one of my favorite things about traveling — the experiences are better because of who you share them with.

Cocoa Beach

From there, it was on to Cocoa Beach.

We spent an afternoon at the pier, catching crabs and enjoying the coast before race day.

Then came the Cocoa Beach Half Marathon.

My first time running on sand.

And let’s just say… the sand won.

It was a tough race. My legs were not prepared for how different that surface would be, and by the time I crossed the finish line, I was hurting.

But this finish line was different.

Because for the first time, my parents were there.

They had never been there to see me finish a race before yesterday.

And this picture that perfectly captures the moment — me on the ground, completely exhausted, with them standing behind me.

Not every race goes the way you imagine.

Sometimes the finish time isn’t the thing you remember.

Sometimes it’s who was there.

Sometimes it’s the fact that you showed up anyway.

Two half marathons, one puppy and a lot of miles.

And memories I never could have planned.