1/2 Marathon

WE DID IT!!! Today I'm happy and excited. Yesterday (race day) was a different story - I was nervous at first, then hurting after. But I'm getting ahead of myself a little bit.

About 6 months ago - my sister had a crazy idea that we run a 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles). (Actually, she wanted to run the full marathon - the rest of us had SOME common sense). So we signed up for the Ogden 1/2 Marathon, and have been in training ever since. I would be lying if I said that I'm sad it's over. I am thrilled that it's done with!!! However, I can't end with just one race under my belt - so I'm signing up for another (did I really just say that? - Top of Utah anyone?). But last year, when I went to watch my sister-in-law run her first 1/2 marathon, and I saw all these people coming across that finish line - I felt something in me that I wanted to be one of them. Who knew?...Iactually hated running -and kinda still do :) . But I knew they each had a story as to why they were there, and how they got to this point - and I wanted a story too, that included a great accomplishment like their stories.

So here's my story.

About 1 1/2 years ago, after Kamden was born - I had some major health problems with my heart. To this day, we don't really know what caused it - but I do know it was very scary. I remember sitting in my recliner, watching out my window, and seeing some of my neighbors living life. They were working, playing, and exercising. I knew that even without my heart problems, I wasn't living very healthy. I decided then that if I ever got through this, I wanted to be healthier. A couple months later, my family (brothers, sisters, parents), started a "Biggest Loser" competition that we reported to each other on a blog. I was nervous to start exercising, because my heart still wasn't entirely doing what it should - but it had been improving. So reluctantly, I bought an eliptical (now I was REALLY committed). And I started waking up earlier in the mornings (pure torture at first), and I started exercising (I thought waking up early was torture - but exercise was beyond torture). But eventually, it got a little bit easier - and I could go a little bit longer. THEN I decided to try running. Last year in May or June I started running for the very first time. I ran for one minute, and walked for two (and did that I think 4 times). I thought I was going to die - but to my amazement, I didn't. Then I decided to go to the track to see if I could run one lap (1/4 mile). I did, then walked a lap, then ran a lap.... I was for SURE I was going to die this time. Eventually, I was able to run a whole mile, then two, then three... Until yesterday, I had never run more than 10 miles (and I only did that once).

When this week rolled around, I started to not sleep well, and my stomach wasn't feeling good. Not sure why I was so nervous - my only expectation was to finish on my own two feet, which I'm proud to say...I DID! It may not have been a pretty sight, or great time - but I still did it. Not only that, my brother, sister and sister-in-law all finished too. And the advantage to being the last of our group to finish, was that they were all at the finish line to cheer me through. My sisters husband and son were there, and Ira, Jarin and Kamden were standing on the side with smiles and claps. I'm so grateful for wonderful family support in my quest to be a healthier mom, wife, me.

I have to admit - it REALLY hurt yesterday, and today every joint in my body aches. But I think it was worth it. I wouldn't consider myself a "runner" by any stretch of the imagination. But I was determined to do this, and I continue to be determined to be healthy. The first 11 miles was great - then the last 2, I wanted to collapse. I always thought people who ran more than to their neighbors house were crazy. So I guess I'm crazy. But grateful that I was given the second chance to be crazy!

So that's MY story...so far. It's been a hard journey - but definently worth every bit of it. I'll take the week off of running - then I'll lace up my shoes again, ready for the next part of my journey. I can't wait to see where that journey takes me!

This was me hooked all up to heart monitors

These pictures are all in backwards order. Since I don't have my laptop (it crashed) - I'm on the old computer that doesn't always want to cooperate. Oh well, at least I'm able to blog!

Ira, Jarin, Kamden and me

Shawn, Me, Robin and Mandi (I told them all to bite their medals like the Olympians do. They looked at me like I was crazy - then after the picture, they informed me that they kiss their medals - not bite them! Oh well, we already had established that I was crazy, right?

Right after the race - and we're still smilin'. Now THAT'S an accomplishment!

Somewhere in that running crowd is my backend. Not the prettiest view, but oh well. It's documentation that I really did get to the finish line on my own two feet!