A post 13.1 miles in the making....

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!

Runner's Anxiety?

It's hard to believe that our big race is merely days away.  Where has time gone?  In some ways it feels like I've been training forever and other times I feel so under-prepared.  I'm not sure why but the pre-race jitters started days ago for me.  It seems silly though-I know that I will not come in first place and I'm certain I will not be the last, since thousands of runners will be going twice the distance.  I'm bound to make it back before some of them do.  I'm a slow but productive runner so I don't expect to be picked up by the bus--at least that is my goal!  At this point I'm ready to do it and be done so I can have that moment.  Josh feels the same way, although he is faster than me so his concern is the hills.  Cincinnati is built around hills...our new home is flat as a pancake.

I keep envisioning the finish line and I have to admit I start to choke up--I'm a dork in that respect and things like that make me cry.  If you run, and I cheer you on--I will probably cry for you.  One of my quirks I suppose.

It feels a little bit like Christmas morning or some other grand excitement.  I have my to-do list, my clothes are washed and set out just waiting to go for the longest run I've ever been on.

My good friend, Amy, suggested Rory make a sign to hold while he cheers us on.  I thought it was a great idea so we spent the evening painting a poster.  I asked Rory, "If you cheer someone on in a race, what would your sign say?"  He held up his hand like a crossing guard and said, "STOP!"  So, lesson learned...if you want Rory to cheer you on make sure it's at the finish line because he'll be sure to tell you when to STOP!   This kid cracks me up!

We finally settled on, "You got this!"  It's what I tell him when he's frustrated or trying to master a new skill.  There are a lot of new things to learn as an almost 3 year old and he wants so badly to be independent and do things by himself.  I say it to Josh when he's going into a new situation or gets called away.  It's what I tell myself when I need a pep-talk, trying something new or meeting new people.  I repeat the phrase over and over during those last few minutes of each long run.  Each long run that gets longer than the one before.  "You got this!"

See you at the finish line!

My Running Buddy...

I know that I've mentioned before that my son is one of my motivations to stay healthy.  He knows when the hot pink shoes come out that I'm headed out for some exercise.  He says, "Mommy, you go run?"  I'm glad that he sees both me and Josh out exercising and staying healthy. 

Yesterday, he decided to go with me and I was happy to take him.  We like exploring and going on "adventures" so this would be like a mini-adventure in our neighborhood. 

I've been following this training program pretty close so I was headed out for a lighter 30 minute jog.  This is the first time I've taken Rory out since it's been warm so I thought it would be no big deal--well, let me just tell you.  Rory conked out in less than 5 minutes so there went my talking buddy!  Push a jogging stroller with 10 mph wind gusts is like running with a deployed parachute behind you.  In that split second of running when both feet are off the ground the wind pushed me and the stroller back.  My feet were moving but we weren't really getting anywhere!  I'm sure we looked like quite the pair-my little man fast asleep wearing half of his pajamas (I think this is a phase toddlers go through) in the stroller and his Mama digging in, legs flailing and we are getting nowhere! Ha!  It ended up being a great workout.

Our big run is May 5th and I think Josh and I are both about as ready as we can be.  We both have 9 mile runs scheduled for this week and we will each get one more 10 mile run in before race day!  The excited jitters have started and I can't believe we are this close!  I'll be relieved when it's over and I can say, "yeah-I've done that!"

Stretching and New Kicks

I feel like I'm at the point in my training where I could easily turn back and say I'm going to quit.  The long runs (at least for me) are getting loooong!  We are so busy painting at our new house and life is just plain busy.  BUT, this is something I really want to do.  I want to cross that finish line and know that I accomplished something I would not have dreamed I could do.

Let me show you some sneak peeks at my inspiration...

I've had trouble with my knees in the past so I'm strict about making sure I stretch everyday, even if it's not a run day.  This is what happens when I stretch:

Sometimes I can convince Rory to stretch with me but mostly he just plays interference!  I love it!  Someday he will be too big to squeeze into my lap so I'm happy he still wants to cuddle up with me.

When he looks at me and says, "Mommy, you go running?" I know that I'm doing the right thing.  If I stick close to home him and Josh will wave to me out the window.  What better motivation is that?  I have to be his example and show him how to stay healthy.  It's no good to say be healthy and eat healthy but then not do it myself.

We've been increasing our veggies and healthy eating in general.  I realized that our veggie intake was severely low...like really never.  I was a little shocked but if I don't make a big deal out of veggies they do get eaten, or at least tried.  Last night, I set green peppers and ranch dip (just a little bit) on the table for a snack before dinner.  Rory and Josh both went right for them and they were gone!  I'm on a mission now to not only be active but serve healthy meals that our bodies need. 

And....not that I need more motivation than that but new kicks never hurt!

So excited because I have a long run tomorrow and I really just want to wear my new shoes!  They are so comfy and the fact that they are neon pink is an added bonus! 

January Running Update

Remember how I said I wanted to run a half marathon?  Well, I'm happy to say that training is in full swing!  It hasn't been easy but it has been rewarding!  It has been hard to find time to get running in but with the help of Josh and our families when the visit I've been able to keep up.  I'm up to running 2.5 miles and will have a "long run" of 3 miles on Sunday.   I always get a "stitch" in my side and it never seems to go away.

I won't come out and say that I love running but it is great exercise and I do love how I feel afterwards!  As a bonus I can officially fit into pants comfortably that I wore pre-Rory!  It's almost like getting brand new clothes since I haven't worn them for 2 1/2 years...yikes!

When Pigs Fly!

You've heard the expression but did you know that pigs do fly...in Cincinnati?!?!  Yes, they do and Josh and I have decided that we will be flying along in the half marathon for the 2013 Flying Pig Marathon!

I'm really excited but also nervous because now I've put it out there so it's a goal that must be accomplished.  I'm not really one that enjoys running per se but I love how I feel when I'm done.

You see, I used to run a little bit before I was a Mom.  Nothing major, a couple miles here and there to keep in shape.  Josh and I ran a 10k (ok, so I walked just a bit of it) for the Thanksgiving Day Race in 2008 and that was the furthest I had ever run.  I didn't run while I was pregnant and had little time to run once I was taking care of a baby.  So, exercise got pushed to the back burner.  Fast forward, 3 years and I still have "baby weight."  Really?!?!  Yes, it's there and it's time to do something about that. 

Josh and I are blessed to be in a Life Group through our church and we've met some amazing families.  Two of the women, who are also wives and mothers, just completed a full marathon!  They probably don't even know it but they are such an inspiration to me!

My Dad and I have also been watching a special about the Iron Man in Hawaii.  Just watching it makes me feel like I could go out and start running.  People who do amazing things like that are such an inspiration.  God built our bodies to do amazing things! 

So, we've set the goal and registered but now comes the hard part...training.  The local park district just put in a  walking path at the park behind our house...I'm fairly certain they did this just for me and training purposes! Haha!

I'll keep you posted on how things are going.  I know it's not going to be easy, there are times I'll rather be napping or doing anything else but running.  It's going to feel so good though when it's done and I can slap that 13.1 sticker on the back of my car.  Oh yeah-I'm totally getting the sticker!