I have to tell you guys a secret. I’m a runner. Yep, there it is. I’ve never admitted this until now. Not because there is anything to be ashamed of, it’s actually pretty awesome! But I just never deemed myself worthy of that title. Until this weekend. This weekend I ran my first half marathon! And I did pretty darn well. First, I actually finished…on my feet…with a smile on my face and my finger to the sky.(more on that later) I really wanted to finish in under two hours, but because I stopped at the port-o-potty my time was 2:03. I’m very proud!
All of this is great and all, but the real story here was the inspiration I felt. I’ve always thought I was a “sensitive”, you know someone that could feel spirits and whathaveyou. When I got to the starting coral, I felt all the excitement from the people around me. The race started and the herd was moving. Then, the tears started streaming down my face. I saw inspiration all around me. The people running this race with me were all different ages, different body types, ethnicities, different sizes and genders. There were all walks of life and running styles. It was amazing.
At one point, just pass the halfway mark, I started to loose my steam. It was all in my head. My lungs and legs felt good, but I was getting doubtful. It was a beautiful view though!
On the next turn, I saw my handsome hubby and my two darlings there to cheer me on. My two-year-old son yelled, “Go birthday mom!”. My daughter was screaming, “Woohoo!”. I high fived my hubby and that was just the enthusiasm I needed to get myself going again. Super awesome! Then, I saw a girl with a sign cheering on the runners. She was a beautiful brunette of about 17. She was in a wheel chair. It was clear she had been in that chair for most of her life. She had a smile and a radiance about her. I totally teared up again. There was something about this girl cheering on people doing something she may never be able to do. It made me feel lucky to be able to run this race, to give my kids piggy back rides. It made me admire that beautiful girl and it made me push harder.
In the following miles I redecorated my friend’s living room and analyzed all the amazing personality traits another friend has. I’m not kidding. With about a mile to go, mile 12, my legs started to feel the fatigue. My mind started to turn to negativity. It was an inner battle of me telling myself to stop and walk and then to keep running and then stop and then run. You get the picture. Well I didn’t stop. What I did was think about the running shirt that was now tied around my waist. It was a gift from my parents. They wrote in sharpie on the inside “We are proud of you! Love Mom and Dad”. That was really cool of them. I didn’t want to let them down. So I kept moving. At only a half mile to go my power song came on. (If you don’t have the Nike app, let me tell you that the “power song” is a song you choose and it comes on when your pace drops.) It’s Britney, the song is “Work Bi*#$”. Here are some of the lyrics:
Bring it on
Ring the alarm
Don’t stop now just be the champion
Work it hard like its your profession
Watch out now
Cause here it comes
…
Hold your hand high
Fingers to the sky
They gon try to try ya
But they cant deny ya
Keep it movin higher
And higher
Keep it movin higher
And higher
So hold your hand high
Fingers to the sky
Now they dont believe ya
But they gonna need ya
Keep it movin higher
And higher
Keep it movin higher
And higher
And higher
Yyyyyyeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhhhh, not very deep, I know, but the beat is the best and it’s really something to make me push myself.
So anyway, I was closing in on the finish and my body was really feeling the miles. That song came on and I pushed myself. The finish was in my sights. I rounded the turn and ran up (an uphill finish line…reeeeaaaalllyyyy?????) and through the finish line. I had a big smile on my face and my finger to the sky! (I’m coming for you Brit Brit! Vegas baby!) I yelled, “I did it!”. Then I heard my friends screaming my name! They were there and they looked about as excited as I did. What a great feeling! I was so happy to see them. I felt so proud of myself and so blessed to be able to do something I never thought I could never do. Seriously, I can totally see why people get hooked on this!
Feeling very fantastic! Aren’t these signs fantastic? And these lovely ladies are going to run a 10K with me next month.
This week set a goal. A goal to do something that you never thought you could do. Then take steps to achieve it. I believe in you, do you?
XOXO
A
Here’s what I’m up to this week:
Monday, October 21st – 9:30 – Momtourage playdate At Cohn Park
Tuesday, October 22nd – 10 – Toddler Time at the Folsom Library
Thursday, October 24th – 11 – Storytime at the Folsom Zoo (NEW!!)
Friday, October 25th – 6pm – Night of 1000 Pumkins in Old Folsom.
Mama Momtourage 