Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Halloween Half!!

Let's just say when Michelle Wise asked me if I wanted to run a half marathon in August I thought she was crazy but said ok anyway (the race was at the end of October). Boy am I stupid. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Up to this point I had only ever ran 4 miles at one time. I had just barely started running in June and took the whole month of July off because of girls camp and youth conference. So every workout I did was another "what am I thinking" moment. I kept plugging along running and running and running. Michelle warned me that it would be hard and boy was it. My first 6 mile run I was like are you freaking kidding me I can't run 2 times this plus another mile. Then we did 8 holy crap I totally ran to DI in Centerville!! Then we did 10 I thought I was going to die and I'm sure everyone was sick of hearing me say it. Then we did 8 again not so bad this time. Then we were supposed to do 12 but ended up doing 10 again and that was not so bad either. I thought to myself I got this, I can totally do 13.1. Then a ward member passed away and I was totally preparing myself to run the race alone because the funeral was the day of the race. I told Michelle she didn't need to worry about me that I would make it no matter what. She said no I'm running the race I'm not going to leave you. What a sacrifice!! I know she wanted to be there for her friend in her time of need but I'm glad she knew I needed her too. The day of the race came and I was totally nervous but was super distracted by all the fun costumes.We are a "Running Rainbow" in case you couldn't tell :)

Kevin was there to drive us up to the start so we could sleep in another hour. He took pictures and while we didn't talk a lot I was so happy just knowing he was close. We danced and got our pictures taken and hung out. We start moving out to the starting line.
I was totally still having fun. We started the race and look I'm still having fun!!! We were totally flying down the mountain.

The first 5 miles were pretty much the fastest I have ever ran. I was like man this is way easier that I was thinking it would be. Then we hit flat ground. I could totally tell I was getting slower but still doing really good for me (remember I'm still fat). I kept running Michelle kept me distracted by telling me stories and making me laugh. The next few miles flew by. I hit the 10 miles mark. 10.1 was officially the most I had ever ran!!! I gave a little cheer!!

Then mile 11 hit. I don't know what happened but I was doubting myself big time. Saying out loud "I'm going to quit this is stupid. Why on earth did I ever think I could do this?" I was literally crying. Michelle said to me "that's the devil don't doubt yourself now,
look how far you've come". I was like "I don't care I'm embarrassed I don't want to finish. I'm too slow this is just embarrassing" She said to me "don't you dare stop, you will be so mad at yourself." I kept plugging along. Running pretty much the slowest mile of my life. I said a little prayer and listened to Michelle's encouraging words. It was still so hard. I got to the last half mile and here come Sally and Laura they started running with us!! Then I saw Natalie cheering from the side!! Then came Sherisse!! Look at how many people were there to watch me succeed.
Then I saw the finish line!! Kevin was there taking pictures and cheering me on. The best feeling ever was crossing that line. Thinking about all the people who were cheering me on was the greatest. I saw my boys and I was so happy they got to see me do something seeming impossible. I totally couldn't have done it with out any of those people. Especially Michelle.
I didn't cry at the finish line because I was so happy just to be done, but I am crying now just thinking about how grateful I am for the support I had and the great thing I just accomplish. It is totally a life changing thing. PS I didn't even walk. I ran the whole freaking thing!!


5 comments:

  1. Okay, you totally have to factor in the weight of that costume! That would slow anyone down! You looked awesome! What a fun race. Congratulations!! I'm a firm believer that in mind over body, and it looks like you may be now too! I've done 3 halfs, and I can say that mile 11 still gets me every time. You learn as you do more though, to pace yourself at the beginning. It's just so fun with all the people, and the adrenaline really pushes you. I loved all the pictures, and you'll always have them to remind you how awesome you are!!

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  2. I am totally teary eyed reading that. You are amazing!! I'm so proud of you! That is a huge accomplishment!

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  3. I'M CRYING TOO! I am so proud of you, I just think it was so amazing. It was fun to see you accomplish such an amazing thing in your life, WAY TO GO!!!

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  4. You're my hero! One day I wanna be JUST LIKE YOU! (I'm totally bawling reading, too, by the way!) I think your half is totally just like life! We start out happy little kids just totally excited about each thing we learn to do. Then we get a little older and realize that life sucks sometimes! Then when it's the hardest and we just want to quit, we look around and see those who really totally care about us the most and they are cheering us on and SOME even go through hell WITH us! I can't wait for that day when we cross that finish line and realize that it was all worth it, even the parts that totally sucked! Sorry it took me months to discover you wrote this! I had so much fun having you and your boyz (biggest boy included) here a few weeks ago- sorry I had to step out for some of it. I love you sis! PS- I really do wanna be just like you one day!

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