So, it's been nearly a month since "race day"! I know this is way late, but it's been busy around here with kids school, my school, work, football, dance lessons, and just life in general. I am also a bit of a procrastinator. I have been thinking about what to write since running in the race even, but really wanted to have time to sit and get my thoughts together. I learned so many life lessons during this journey. So, here goes...
Let's start with the night before. Usually the night before any event, outing, or vacation, I stay up all night to get everything in order and packed. I have this obsession about the house being just so and it's usually mom who packs and makes food, you know the drill. Many times, I get just a few hours of sleep and am exhausted. But, this time I had to think of myself! I had to make sure that I was "in order". This was hard for me and I had to let a few things go in order to get to bed at a decent time. So, I did, and you know what? The world didn't come to an end even though everything wasn't perfect. Lesson one!
Saturday morning. Time to get up and get ready for my very first race! I was nervous and excited, but confident. My running partner and I had been training for this day, and it was here! My family was just as excited for this event. I ate a good but light breakfast and skipped the coffee. Yes, that's right. For those who know me well, know that I NEED coffee! I'm like the guy on the McD's commercial that says, "Don't talk to me until I have my coffee." But, caffeine isn't so great for a running mom of three...if ya know what I mean. I won't go into detail. Anyway, we set off for downtown Flint. I started getting a caffeine headache and forgot any meds to help with that! Luckily, my running partner's hubby came to the rescue and brought me a little blue pill...Aleve! I was feeling ready. We arrived after walking quite a ways to the race site. The energy was amazing! There were thousands of people all with the same goal...finish! The music was loud and there was excitement in the air! I was so thrilled to be part of this! After a couple of times waiting in the longest restroom lines ever, we started stretching and prepping ourselves for the Start line.
It's time. We made our way to join the mob of runners, because now we were runners! We blended in with thousands of people who had been running for years and those who were beginners like us, but we were one of them! From the moment that I "crossed over" to join the mob of runners, I could feel their energy. All of these people encouraging each other and themselves and having the same goal. It was amazing and entrancing! My step dad joined me in this race. He has been an encouragement through this process. He's an experienced runner and I was a little nervous to run with him, since I was just a beginner. I told him to go ahead of me if he needed to! I wasn't sure how I would do, but my goal was to run the entire 3.1 miles without stopping and finish in under 40 minutes. I was just going to be happy to finish, but goals are important!
Runners, go! We were off, it was a little crowded at first, but then it cleared up and we were able to run. I got so caught up in the moment and just took off! I had my Ipod filled with songs to keep my spirits up and keep me moving. It was quite warm and sunny, but perfect weather. It was so encouraging to see people running, it was as if we were all running partners and enjoying a nice run together. There were people along the way handing out cups of water and people cheering us on. It was about half way through that I realized that I had started out pretty fast. I was just so caught up in the moment that I didn't really pace myself. It was getting a little hard. My music was blaring in my ear, sweat was running down my face. About a mile to go and I started to get a cramp in my side. This didn't happen often for me during training, just when I pushed myself to go faster or farther. I tried changing my breathing, and that helped a bit. I decided to ignore it and kept running. The song playing in my ear was Lose Yourself by Eminem. I know, he's not the best role model or whatever, but that song talks about being in the moment and losing yourself. During my race I thought to myself, we have to lose ourselves or ourselves will make us lose! "Myself" wanted to stop running, "Myself" was in pain, "Myself" would have rather stayed in bed that morning. I was recharged and got my "second" wind. I was on it! I had decided that I was in charge of me. Pain was not in charge of me, fear was not in charge of me, insecurity was not in charge of me! I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength! I remember starting to see familiar sights from the area where we started, I was almost there! I came upon the 3 mile marker and started tearing up, the finish was just around the corner!!! I turned the corner and saw the finish line banner, and started crying. In my ear I heard the line of that song and it said in nicer words, Success is my only option, failure's not! I crossed the finish line! I cried my eyes out, not because of any pain, but because I did it! I ran the whole 3.1 miles and finished in 33:55! That was better than any attempt prior to the race! The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming! My family and friends were there to greet me, it was perfect!!! My kids got to see their mom reach a goal. They were proud of me. So, I hope that my decision to "lose myself" will change the course for my family to live a healthier more active lifestyle. I am so proud of my running partner Dana and I! We did it! We worked so hard to fit running in all summer long. We ran before the crack of dawn and at night and anytime in between. WE DID IT!!!
