Mission Accomplished...

Goal: Finish my FIRST Half Marathon

The idea of completing a Half Marathon was implanted by one of my dear friends. She assured me that if she could do it...I could do it too! I inquired about various training plans from some other friends who had previously achieved my GOAL. I started out training for a couple of 5K's since I had not even been able to run a mile without some whoopla. And I was off...

Training went well. There were a couple of weeks I was down with Bronchitis and tried to run anyways and couldn't. There were days where it took all I had to talk myself into getting out for my run. There were nights where all I wanted to do was go home from a stressful day at work and veg-out. But, I persevered. I pushed myself out the door. I relied on inspiration and motivation from several newly found friends on dailymile.com, where I logged my training runs and held myself accountable. All in all, I pushed MYSELF. I didn't rely on anyone else to "want more for me than I wanted for myself!!"

~ Finally, Race Day Arrived ~

I religiously checked the weather, thinking that if I looked at it just one more time, it would read something other than sub-freezing temperatures with wind gusts and chills in the teens, but to my dismay, it remained the same bitter cold outlook. I tried to stay positive all week. I talked myself into everything being FUN with NO pressure. My husband only compounded my positive attitude with his words of support and encouragement. It was his last attempt effort to re-assure me of his pride that truly got me through the tough moments of the run. His words,

"Whatever happens today, just know that I am proud of you and I love you."

got me all pumped up. For those of you who know me, know I rarely put myself first and rarely make time for me. This time, I jumped onto the ME bandwagon with full force!

So, here it was...time to wake up. Time to bundle up and hit the pavement. I was a little Leary of the weather, but I was NOT about to quit...not after all of my hard work and my commitment to myself. So as bundled as I could get...I headed out. The first few miles around the south side of the lake were a little excruciating...I'm not going to lie. The wind blowing over the lake water and then onto us, was just breath taking and not in the oooooh, I love that, breath taking manner, but the ooooh, I physically cannot breathe manner. The last few miles were no different. I swear it was another 15 - 20 degrees COLDER around the south side of that lake. I remember talking to Karle and sounding like I was drunk because my face was literally frozen. I can't explain the emotions and feelings I endured throughout the entire race...it really was surreal. There were highs. There were lows. But, there was NEVER a moment where I didn't feel like I would not accomplish my GOAL. I think Ashley described it best when she said that it was like an "out of body" experience as we were running. We were so cold that we really couldn't feel much. Everything was pretty much numb, which ironically, probably helped.

We were rounding the final curve and headed up the dreaded hill. Who puts a hill at the finish of a LONG run?? Geesh! Anyways, I was giving it all I could to run, run, run up that hill and finish STRONG. I literally yelled, "Go, Go, Go...you can do it...just a little further...Go, Go, Go...you can do it...you can make it...you are awesome...I can see my boys...I can hear Gavin saying, Goooooo Mommy...GoooooooKayyeee." Um, I thought I was saying all of this in my mind, but I'm positive I was yelling it out loud for the whole world to hear! Oops!

Of course, I DID IT!! I FINISHED!!! I was proud of myself! I didn't care what anyone else thought...what anyone else's time was. I accomplished something I never thought I was capable of accomplishing. I set a GOAL for MYSELF and I completed it. As much support and hu-rah's as I received from others, the most important hu-rah was from the inside! A feeling I cannot describe. Crossing a finish line is an adrenaline rush in and of itself, but self pride and motivation is even more rewarding.

I have to thank Karle for encouraging me to give it a try and have faith in my abilities to achieve something out of my comfort zone. I have to thank Keith for his unconditional love and support...for bundling and bringing our son to watch his Mommy achieve her Goal. For my friends who bared the cold weather to come cheer us on and be there when we crossed the finish line. To my little Lightening Star sister, Gia for her constant motivation and love, even when she didn't realize she was inspiring me through her own accomplishments.

I have a great support system through my friends and family and could not feel more blessed!