13.1 – Jesus and I

This past weekend I completed my first half marathon. For me this was a huge accomplishment because I kept wanting to but never quite got around to doing so.

I signed up the previous year, but some how talked myself out of it. This year was the year I would complete this obstacle.

I call it an obstacle because well, I couldn’t seem to get over the fear of one, not completing this and two, what if I hurt myself?

Running is something I really enjoyed doing. I have completed many 5k races and have completed some 10k but never a half marathon. Running helped me to relax. It helped the stress of life and it helped me lose weight, with over the years this has been a huge struggle for me to do.

My younger sister Danielle, started running and well, this is something she is rather good at. I know you’re thinking, how can you not be good at running right? Well she runs with a purpose, she has passion for running. She makes running look so simple, and at one point I am sure I did, however with age it seemed to get harder for me to continue with it.

Danielle works hard, she has is part of a run club, and she continues to push herself. I’m sure she doesn’t feel like running on some days, but she makes herself go.

This really motivated me to get my butt up and do this race.

Training for this race was not easy. With work, and family and not wanting to miss anything, I tried to get out there and do what I could. Whether it was Zumba Fitness, walking dvds, Turbo Fire,I had to do something to get myself in shape.

Well it was race day, and I was super happy about it, only because I knew that after that day, I would have accomplished this race and it would be over. Plus I did work out but I was thinking, today is the day you will do this!!

I ran the first 7 miles, almost 8, then my right leg and foot started giving me huge issues. I even stopped to take a picture of a sign someone had did for my sister, because it would at least give my leg and foot some kind of rest.

Now you may think hey, you did a good job, you ran about 7 miles, well you’re right however being there and doing it was what I was experiencing and felt like geez, I can’t do anymore. I still had 6 miles to go.

There was a gap between me and the runners behind me. I even thought I was lost for while, because I couldn’t find signs where the race was. It was purely mental at this point. I think I even thought about quitting a couple times too, well maybe even more than that.

As I was running, I saw a bunch of crosses in yards along the route, they read, “Jesus is the Lord” Every time I passed a sign, I made the sign of the cross. I was in so much pain and I still had 5 miles to go. I can’t even tell you how many Our Fathers and Hail Mary prayers I said. It was a lot. I prayed and prayed!

Then one thing I remember, with Christ I can do anything. This was the anything I was about to do.

Doing so many Turbo Fire workouts, I could hear Chalene Johnson say, “you are not tired.” I was like yes, yes I am tired. LOL! But I knew I have never quit anything in my life. I wasn’t about to start now. Plus my parents were there, if you know me, you know disappointing them would be a huge hurt to my heart.

I wore an army shirt for my niece Aly since this was on Veteran’s Day, and got a lot of compliments, so many, that I was stopped during the race to ask who was in the army and heard a couple stories.

Also the photographer who was taking pictures actually asked me did I have a twin? I said well my sister is in the race but I’m sure she is way up there, she is a runner. The photographer then proceeded to find the picture of her and said ,”is that her?” Yes ma’am that is my beautiful sister. She said oh my God y’all look like twins. (by the way, my sister hates that and thinks she looks nothing like me)

I will say the last few miles did seem to go by pretty fast after that.

The pain continued but I had to push myself in order to get through.

The last couple miles had two, what seemed to be HUGE hills, slopes, whatever you’d like to call them, walking down caused so much pain to my foot, and then having to walk up caused even more pain.

My son and best friend Regina were waiting and walked with me the last half mile or so, pushing me along.

Then I could hear the music, and see the finish line. FINALLY!

I ran the last .10 of the race because I was ready to be over with it, and I knew I needed to finish as strong as I could or I wouldn’t forgive myself. I have always been an athlete, love sports all my life, and very good at them, but this race has to be the absolute hardest sport I have ever done.

The race takes a toll on you body and mental state. Focusing on the race is the key and continuing to push your body more than it ever has can really exhaust you.

I learned one important thing about this race, God will never lead you into the

something and not be right there with you. There is a statue in Carthage, TX that we passed going to Louisiana that night. I kept this to myself along the ride, however my thoughts were Thank You Jesus.

I pushed myself more than I ever have, and I know that Jesus was right there cheering me on. I can’t express enough how blessed I truly am to have him on my side every day.

 

Well as I said, my younger sister finished way before me. She has trained and trained and she loves what she does. I watched her run her first half marathon a few years ago, and never understood how happy she was when the race was over until this day. I admire her heart for running, she is truly a gem.

Family and friends mean the most to me and I was glad to see my parents, my son, best friend, brother in law, Kristi and Miss Kenzie waiting for me to finally finish.

Looking back to last weekend, I was hurting, my body hurt, my legs hurts, it hurt to breath, but today, everything is back to normal. I did it!

THANK YOU JESUS!