As I think about it, I am not sure how
this person and
this person convinced me to do this. I remember a little over a year ago when
Danielle and I trained for the 4.2 mile Pat's Run. I was SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY doubting that I would ever make it 4.2 miles. Really, I am not a runner.
In fact I didn't know how to do anything but chase after a soccer ball. (Soccer is way different than running!) I would ask
Danielle to show me where to put my hands and where my feet were suppose to be...really it was quite pathetic.
After the Pat's Run she asked us if we wanted to do a 1/2 marathon. That was an easy "N" "O".
To her surprise I called her up and asked her to join us in the lottery for the St. George Marathon. At this point I assured her that -we probably won't even get in. -which is what I was seriously hoping for.
To be honest, I am scared of failing. I thought that this would pretty much seal the deal.
So when we received the news that we were "in", I remembered my motto discussed previously, "I can do HARD things". -you see, I have to keep telling myself... because running is pretty much the hardest thing I have learned to love in my WHOLE life.
After the craziest summer of my life I was worried and terribly behind in my running schedule. In fact, my friend and awesome running partner, Emily, was up to 12 miles and I had run/walked 6. This was truly a turning point. I knew that if I could do 12 it would be a serious uphill battle OR, I could figure out someway Tracy could slide in my spot. I had my failure option all figured out.
I met with Emily and she encouraged me along the way. It was the hardest, most awful run of my life. It was just like the whole repentance process! I felt like my whole training from this point on was an uphill battle, but eventually ending in a well-worth result.
My next run was in phoenix, in August, for 14 miles. It was 8pm, and I knew it was not safe to run a square mile 3 1/2 times by myself.
My sweet dad got on an old mountain bike and followed me for nearly the whole time. I was choking back tears as I realized the pain he must have been in as he willingly followed me for hours.
How could I throw in the towel now? My poor dad was sore from sitting on a mountain bike for hours!??
Marathon Day
Graham and I woke up at 3am to catch the first bus up the mountain to the race start. I heard one race volunteer say that it was a whopping 29degrees. Yes, 29degrees. They had bonfires set up but we were still chilly and anxious for our 6:45 start time. Luckily there were some veteran runners around us that gave us some awesome tips (to which I used and was so grateful) Seriously, someone should teach "running how-to" classes. -because most of us are clueless and run wrong, resulting in injuries and obvious frustrations. At the start we were aiming for a specific time limit, placed ourselves there and waited about 7minutes AFTER the start horn of the race before we could cross the start line. (it takes 6000 runners some time to get going)
The first 6miles were great and smooth sailing. From about 6-12 were horrible for me. These miles included one LARGE hill and a few smaller ones that did a number on my mental sanity. After this it was a lot of downhill. Some love downhill, some hate it. I LOVE it! (a mental sanity plus here!)
At about mile 20 or so my legs started locking up and cramping. I figured out that it was because I was walking through the water stations or talking short breaks. I knew that I had to turn up my speed or I wouldn't be able to run. It worked but nearly killed me.
It was amazing to see our friends that had traveled from far distances to support us. I have a new understanding for importance of support in an event such as this. Just someone looking at you and saying "you can do it" made all the difference. -and when we saw someone we knew I just nearly burst into tears of gratitude. (I don't think they quite understand what it is like to have someone there for you-as you feel like you can't take another step).
I don't quite understand how my body made it the last 3 miles or so. It was like an out of body experience. I was seriously delirious...
but I did.
and I will always remember.
I can do HARD things.
