Valerie Bertinelli After Marathon: 'My Legs Are Killing Me!'

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Two years and 50 pounds later, Valerie Bertinelli has come full circle in her quest for total fitness with her triumphant completion of a half-marathon in California over the weekend. The Jenny Craig spokeswoman crossed the finish line of Sunday's Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half-Marathon, telling PEOPLE "I can't believe I did it!"

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Valerie Bertinelli Pics

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 13: Valerie Bertinelli prepares for the Heart Truth Red Dress Collection Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Tent in Bryant Park on February 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG) *** Local Caption *** Valerie Bertinelli

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Valerie Bertinelli Snapshots

Actress Valerie Bertinelli attends Fashion For Life 2009 benefit at California Market Center on May 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Fashion For Life 2009 California Market Center Los Angeles, CA United States May 17, 2009 Photo by Paul Redmond/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57477432), contact FilmMagic.com

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Actress Valerie Bertinelli seen around Bryant Park during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2009 on February 13, 2009 in New York City. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2009 - Around Bryant Park - Day 1 Bryant Park New York, NY United States February 13, 2009 Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic.com To license this image (56726952), contact FilmMagic.com

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 13: Actress Valerie Bertinelli wears a Christian Soriano dress in Bryant Park on February 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Valerie Bertinelli

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 13: Actress Valerie Bertinelli poses during Mercedes-Benz Fall 2009 Fashion Week at Bryant Park on February 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG) *** Local Caption *** Valerie Anne Bertinelli

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 13: Valerie Bertinelli walks the runway wearing Christian Siriano at the Heart Truth Red Dress Collection Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Tent in Bryant Park on February 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images for IMG) *** Local Caption *** Valerie Bertinelli

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Bertinelli, 49, said she trusted her body's capabilities in running the 13.1 race in 2:12:19, "My legs are killing me, but I think I'm so high and excited and full of pride -- which is an unusual thing for me! -- that I probably won't feel it for a couple days," says the TV actress.

"I am in amazement. I can't believe what a body can do if you believe in it."

Tackling the race meant Bertinelli had to train for months. She upped her cardio and upper body work-outs and on the night before the marathon stuffed her face with a bananza of guilt-free food: panzanella bread, cheese and tomato salad for lunch and beets salad and lemon cottage cheese pancakes with creme fraiche for dinner.

"The pancakes are to die for! I said, 'I'm eating them! I'm allowed because I'm running!' I'm going to enjoy it.' Sooo yummy!" she told PEOPLE. "The last time I ate whatever I wanted and didn't feel guilty was when I was pregnant!"

It's been only two years since Bertinelli weighed 172 pounds before using Jenny Craig to slim down to 132 pounds.

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2009-07-20 09:14:17

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