About 4 short months ago I made a goal to run a half marathon and Josh graciously joined me on this endeavor. I can say, without a doubt, that it was hard work, took a lot of time and sometimes was painful. All of those hard, painful and tired moments don't even begin to touch the exciting and fulfilling moments of race day. I can now say that I completely understand why runners have chosen this sport. While there were a few out to win most were out to race themselves--everyone was beyond encouraging and the giddy nerves were contagious!
First, let me show you a few pics of my favorite city...Cincinnati! I would have loved to carry my good camera but there was no way I could run with it. Hands down, the Flying Pig Marathon is the best way to get a great view of this city! Our day started early, up at 4:30 to be downtown by 5:30. The race started at 6:30. Although, it was early this portion of town felt very much awake and alive.
Josh and I were both nervous, although I think him more than me...or maybe I just wasn't admitting to it fully! Our morning started at Paul Brown Stadium for a quick bathroom break before we found our corrals. I can say that runners are the fastest people at going to the bathroom. There were at least 50 women in front of me but we whipped through in just a few minutes. Needless to say, I was impressed!
Once we saw the corrals, or "stalls" where you line up according to estimated time to complete, my nerves sank away to pure excitement. It was hard to keep my legs still--I like most other people occasionally had to jump or shake our legs just to get those excited nerves calmed down. I may or may not have hollered just a bit to let out some steam. Ha!
With the Boston tragedy, still very fresh, security was tight. A race official and Navy serviceman checked us in. Anything we took with us had to be in a clear plastic bag. Security sweeps were done regularly and if you set your things down it would be thrown away. Lots of police, swat and national guard. It was a little unsettling to see the swat team, geared up, weapons in hand and ready to go in a split second. I'm thankful they were there serving and protecting.
The race started at 6:30 and literally moments before a rainbow came out! It's hard to see in the picture but it is just above the light behind us. That reassured me that I could do this!
I met up with my friend and found out that we were in the same pace group. We stuck together for 11 miles and had a blast!! We ran, talked, laughed, hollered, talked some more, laughed some more and overall had a GREAT time!
I think I was nervous because I was expecting the race to be so hard and the hills to be excruciating and maybe they were for some who were trying to run a certain pace or time, but, for me, I just had fun and can honestly say that this is one event that I have had the most fun at...ever! People from all over come to line the race route and they cheer you on, have snacks, Gatorade, water and funny signs to make you forget that your feet or knees hurt. There were certain moments that the spectators were so incredible I couldn't help but think that is why Hollywood enjoys walking the red carpet. That is what I imagined it to be like.
At mile 9.5 I was hungry--thankfully, I had packed one of Rory's applesauce pouches and ate that. Oh my--applesauce has never tasted so good! Mile 11 was getting harder...it had started to rain and at that point was the furthest I had ever run. The route had narrowed and the runners were thinning out but the crowd was so incredible I could have cried...and wanted to cry but didn't because I was worried they would send a medic to check on me. How embarrassing!
The crowds were so large and dense that our families couldn't make it to the finish line, but seeing this face and his precious sign was worth it!
My run was complete at 2:55:45 minutes (slow, I know but next year I'll register different so I wont be in the corral with walkers. It took a lot of time to weave around them.) Josh finished a solid half hour before me at 2:25:14.
It's safe to say that the running bug has bit Josh and me. We are already talking about our next race!! There is no way we could have done this without a few crucial people. First, there is no way that I could have completed this without my faith. There were so many times that my knees felt like they were going to explode but I would always pray before my long runs and my knees have always held out. While running, during times I wanted to quit, sometimes I could only utter, "Oh Lord Jesus..." and I would repeat that over and over. Our bodies can only do so much and for me, at least, my faith carried me much further than my feet alone could ever go.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the face, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 2:4
Thank you to both our families for graciously keeping Rory, sometimes for multiple hours in a row so I could get my runs in. Somehow, I don't think the grandparents minded this one bit!
Finally, our life group through church has multiple runners and each week we'd compare notes and see who was doing what. On the times I wanted to quit, I knew one of these wonderful people would ask me how my run went and how far I'd gone. I didn't want to disappoint them or myself. Reporting in each week was a huge motivation to keep going and stay on track. Josh and I are truly blessed to have such amazing people in our lives.
Although, I had originally set my goal up to be a one time thing and then be done, but I really enjoy running. Even it is only for the race day and the excitement it brings! Our goal has changed more than just our exercise. We have been eating healthier as a family, getting out more and hopefully, impressing the importance of good health on our son. We accomplished something that was merely an idea on paper, something that I ultimately thought I would not be able to complete. It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it, really try and have an amazing support group of family and friends!
1 comment:
So proud of you & Josh! Keep up the good work Jenna!
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