13.1

Ideas often start out in our heads as whims...some of them never go any further than that, but others gradually morph from whims to desires or dreams...and an even more select few become actual goals...

Last fall, I ran a 10K and then ran the 8 mile leg of a relay in February.  Despite attending physical therapy for my knees, the idea of running a half marathon was becoming more and more cemented in my mind as a goal and not just a whim or a dream.  I love the idea of "30 before 30" lists that several of my friends have/had, but my goal-oriented personality cringes at the thought of possibly not accomplishing all those goals.  (I know, I have issues.)  So I basically made a "1 before 30" list: run a half marathon.  I knew I had the heart and mental game to do it, but I honestly didn't know if my knees would rise to the challenge or not.

It helped tremendously that my friend Shannon also decided she wanted to run her first half marathon.  We could train together on Saturdays and keep each other going.  I'm also glad that I decided to run the Magic City Half Marathon because it meant training in the beautiful fall months of September and October, and we had great weather the day of the race.

On November 18th, 2012,  I got up at 6:00 AM.  I had chai tea, Emergen-C, a banana, and a bagel. (I have moderately low blood sugar and always have to eat before I run.)  I spent some time journaling and praying, and I felt calm and happy despite the fact that I'd had a cold and congestion for the past two weeks ... because no matter what happened that day, this was a "first-world problem" if you could even call it that.  I was paying to go run 13.1 miles for fun.  Not because I needed to walk 13 miles to a job that would pay me just enough money to feed my family a meal for that day.  Not because I needed to walk 13 miles to find clean water.  Not because I was running from danger.

And so with that perspective in mind and the theme from Chariots of Fire playing in my car, I headed off to downtown Birmingham ready to run for fun and accept with contentment whatever outcome of the race.  After a thirty minute delay due to the Powerade truck's mechanical issues, we were off at 8:30 AM.  We ran and ran and ran.  Shannon and I talked about many amusing and eclectic topics to pass the time, and I started also listening to my iPod about mile 9 for an additional boost.  Miles 8-10 were probably my hardest because we were really feeling it by then, and the end still loomed far-off in the distance.  But in the end, we made it and met our goal of running the whole time!  I also made my goal of finishing in under 2 hours and 30 minutes--my time was 2:25:04.  It was definitely a great day.

I'm really thankful that God graciously gave me ability to run the entire half marathon, but it would have been ok if He hadn't.  I'm glad He gave me perspective that morning as well.  So with that goal checked off the list, I guess I can turn 30 in 2013.  There's still several months left before then though so maybe I'll make a "3 before 30" list and if not, there are plenty of other whims waiting to turn into dreams or even goals during my lifetime...

Shannon and I before the race begins

Melissa, Ali, and Madoline were such great cheerleaders.  They were at Railroad Park, Avondale Park, and the finish line to cheer us on.  

Love the signs they made!!

At Mile 10, Shannon says, "That guy kind of looks like your brother."  I look over, and it is!  Such a sweet surprise!

Running to the finish!

My "Last Few Miles" Half Marathon Play List (don't judge):
Forever-Chris Brown
Eye of the Tiger-Stadium Jams
Party Rock Anthem
Strip Me-Natasha Bedingfield
Kernkraft 400 (Stadium Sports Chant)-Zombie Nation
Never Say Never-Justin Bieber
Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)-Beyonce
I Got a Feeling-Black Eyed Peas
Life is a Highway-Rascal Flats