Wednesday, April 27, 2011

13.1 in 3 days for the 3rd time ... that's a LOT of 3's!!!

3 days... it'll be my 3rd time...

my 3rd time running a half marathon.... 13.1 miles...

I'm excited... but nervous...

Excited because I've put in lots of training.  Since the beginning of this year, I'm down 23 pounds - I've got faster times - I feel stronger.  I actually feel like a "runner" at times...

Nervous because I've missed the final 2 and a half weeks of my training... Julie & the boys were up, then I got sick... & I know this is a tapering part of the training anyways - I'm not supposed to be running long distances - but I feel like I havent ran at all... I havent even gotten in my normal 5 miles that I like to run every other day... so I'm nervous how my body is going to react.  Especially because I'm still a little weak from being sick.  I'm hoping adrenaline is what pushes me.

I look back at the first half marathon I ran.  Do you know that was my FIRST RACE EVER?  What was I thinking? A half marathon?  Am I crazy?!?!?!  I didnt even really train that well for it... & I swear, I almost died doing it.  I'm not even joking.  When I hit mile 8, if Ricky wasnt with me on that run, I know I would have laid down & passed out in a crying heap... I'm not even joking... it was BAD...

But I crossed the finish line.. a weak, crying, unable-to-move MESS... but I did it..

They gave me my first medal & it was like a switch was thrown on...

(Me at the finish of my first race... that medal changed my life)

I knew instantly I was going to do it again... even when I couldnt move, I knew I'd do it again, BETTER...

& I did...

Last year, I ran it alone.  & I felt better & I finished better.  I wasnt even sore at the end!  The only injury was the loss of my big toe nail.  Yucky - but a badge of honor in my book.

And I crossed the finish line, got another medal, & knew I would do it again the next year....


So here we are...

I'm praying I'm stronger then ever... I'm hoping the training shows me what a difference time makes, even as I've aged a few years.... I'm praying I dont get discouraged when I see everyone passing me... I'm hoping my body finds strength I didnt even know it had.

I have crossed every finish line alone since that first race... with no one waiting on the other side... it's just been me & me alone... I see husbands/wives, family member or friends meeting each other at the finish line.  Rooting them on... For me, its different - I cross the finish line & I get my medal & I walk to my car...just me... but I'm praying that when I cross the finish line again this year, I am proud of myself... and I'll remember its just a race between me & myself anyways...


...& then on the walk back to my car, I'll think about doing it again the next year....

14 comments:

  1. So proud of you!!! When you cross that finish line remember you have all of your blog friends cheering you on from blog world and celebrating with you! And of course, God is up in heaven celebrating with you!!!

    Keep us posted!

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  2. I am so proud of you.. I think I may get into this running thing after the baby is born. We shall see. I have bad knee's and walk.. Have a great day..

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  3. Good luck RJ!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!! I got in ALMOST 2.5 miles this morning (It was actually 2.37.. but who's counting right?) I don't know that I will be "ready" for my 5k on 14May, but, I still want to give it a try!! I may not run the whole thing, but I can walk what I don't! :-)

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  4. I am seriously in awe of you, girl. I have not run more than a mile at a time since Girls on the Run ended last fall :( No excuses, just me being lazy. And now I have the weight to prove it.

    You are an inspiration! Time to get back in the saddle again and sign up for a race.

    I'll be thinking of you this weekend. Hope the weather gets better!

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  5. Girl...you are one MAJOR inspiration to me and to so many others! I know in my heart that you're going to show that half marathon what you're made of...iron, steel, guts, and determination! I'll be pulling for you all the way! Go get 'em, tiger!

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  6. You rock girlfriend!!! I am so stinkin' proud of you!! I wish I could be there to root you on friend. I'd be the obnoxious one with the whoop-whoops and the GO RJ'S!! =)

    Hey is that an Andy Andrews book I see on your Shelfari shelf? Is it out?!!

    How's your daddy?

    Love you friend ~~ I'll be praying for you ~~ Dawn

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  7. Girl I admire you!!! You are so strong in SO many ways!!

    PS Having a giveaway for $50 Target GC, come enter, it's for a good cause!

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  8. this is fantastic!!! so inspiring too; maybe I should give it another shot someday; Can't wait to see this year's photo. Have you banned Ricky from the finish line ;-)

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  9. You are my HERO! I couldn't run a half marathon to save my life. I def. would have died!

    So proud of you! Go girl!

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  10. You go girl! I ran to the phone this morning and could barely catch my breath.
    Your Friend, m.

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  11. I'm going to have to call Donald Trump and tell him that I need my private jet back. I need to fly up to watch a friend kick BUTT in a big race.

    I'll be with you on the other side of that finish line, my friend. Hugs...

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  12. Congratulations! The furthest I ever ran was a quarter marathon...

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  13. I'll still be on the course running, but you have a cheerleader in me!! :) I am so proud of you, Rebecca Jo!!!

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