Reaching My Goal

This entry is an explanation of a huge goal I set for myself some may read it and think, no big deal I run one every week and some may read it and say, she is crazy who runs that much? But for me this is my ½ marathon story and it was a LONG time coming…



June of 2007 I decided that I finally was going to start training to do a marathon. I picked the P.F. Changs half marathon for my goal and started kicking my butt. I have never loved to run; actually running was one of my least favorite forms of exercise. Playing sports you were required to run, obviously, and so this is where my drive to overcome my dislike began many moons ago. I have never been fast, I was always one of the last girls on my basketball team to finish anything suicides, miles, track workouts. But I seem to have a little smidgen of a competitive side (underestimate), so even my own abilities were not going to stop me. I picked something that I knew would push me, something that when accomplish would be HUGE for me because of my hatred for running.

I trained all the way up to the marathon. 3 days before I was expecting my monthly friend to visit, and might I add I am like clockwork I could probably tell you the exact hour (TMI I know) but it had not arrived. A little worried I decide to make a quick trip to the dollar store, yes this is where I purchase my tests they are just as accurate. A few hours later a new exciting discovery was in store A BABY!!! After visiting with my doctor he advised me not to run the marathon (because of my history with pregnancies). I almost started crying right there in that office all I could think of was that I wanted my mom to fix it like she always could when I was young. I had put blood (literally because of a couple of missteps) sweat and NOW tears into my training. It was only advise right? I don’t get sick for another couple of weeks and the race would be well over then, I could run it! After consulting with my husband and my mom, I knew in my heart that it was now my time to be unselfish I was growing a precious baby in my tummy (we know him now as Owen) and yes, he is precious worth all the disappointment of not running that race. The day of the race came and went, and I DID shed some tears of disappointment but, life went on.

I knew that I would run the race after I had him. And I finally did thanks to my wonderful supportive husband that helped watched the kids and didn’t mind my long 2 hour runs and night jogs. And to Jana, the pro, that pushed me farther and harder than I would have on my own.

Here is how the BIG DAY went…

I worked late on Friday to fit everyone in and consequently got home later that expected. Nervous and tiered I shoved some pasta in my mouth and crawled into bed. My mind racing (no pun intended) I woke up at 4 in the morning full of anticipation and worry, mostly because my knee had been bothering me all week. I tried to figure out what to do all the time, I made some oatmeal played around on the computer and tried to go back to sleep (with no luck). I finally decided to just get ready and go down to the race early. All I could think about was 9:30, (when I knew I would be done with the race) so each time I looked at the clock the time got closer 4, then 5, then, 6 then it was almost time to start. So nervous as time approached I readjusted my bib (the numbers you have to wear) 6 or 7 times to pass the time. Just as I had taken it off again to find a more perfect place to wear it the race began, fidgeting with the darn bib and trying to run threw me off a tad but off I went. The first mile marker was depressing one down 12 to go. At least it was a beautiful morning and every 20 minutes or so a light mist of ran would cool me down THANKS for that! About the 4th mile I could see the Mesa temple of to the side and they were putting up the Christmas light that gave me a little pep in my step. We made a loop so once we got to 6.5 miles we started the whole thing over again at this point my knee started to hurt just keep going, then at 7 miles my hip started to hurt just keep going, then my foot KEEP GOING!!! It was Mentally at this point is where I start talking to myself 11 miles then 12 miles then YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME NO MORE. I could hear my family cheering for me as I hit 13 miles but so tired I couldn’t look up to acknowledge them .1 mile to go and I picked up my pace seeing Owen and Brinley standing at the finish line. I bent down to pick up my son as I saw my time 2hour 22mins 18seconds! What a great finish to be with my family, my sister Jennie ran the 5k and mom, dad, and Justin were all smiling faces as I arrived. This day is one I will not forget anytime soon. So, WHAT’S NEXT!!!????

My sister and I picked the "Run From the Sun" Marathon because it raised awareness for skin cancer. My mom had two spots of skin cancer removed last year so this had double meaning for me. We made these shirts to show support of our WONDERFUL MAMMA!!!

With Aunt Jennie!!!