A New Start at the Finish Line!

13.1 miles ahead of me. 13.1 miles that would bring on a new meaning for me. 13.1 miles that I planned on running faster then I had ever ran before. 13.1 miles that would bring a new confidence to me. 13.1 miles that would show me a strength in myself that would prove I could fight anything placed in front of or inside of me.

Race Day.... We had feared the weather would not be in our favor, but that fear quickly passed. The wind was low, the temperature was perfect. The sky was overcast, blocking the bright sun. It was perfect weather for running.

Physically, I was ready. Ready to set a new PR. We had completed the training program. Not as strong as we should have, which is why we set our time goal lower. Scott and I decided that a sub 2 hour Half was not going to happen. But, we had trained enough to set a PR. Our time goal was 2:16, and we were perfectly content with that.

So, Scott set his GPS watch to our pace. We went to the start line and waited to start the race. Mentally, I felt stronger then I had felt in a long time. I had something to prove to myself. I viewed this race as a symbol to what my fight would be like. I knew inside that if I ran my fastest and ran through every pain, I could fight whatever was fighting me inside. So I was confident, and ready to show my body who was boss.

The gun went off and off we ran. My legs carried me like they had never carried me before. I was running faster then I had ever ran a half marathon. We were clipping the miles off one at time with ease. Scott would call out our time after every mile and every time we were at least 1 minute 20 seconds ahead of our pace. It felt amazing. I started to feel weak at one point, then the first place finisher ran past us. He ran with grace, he made running look beautiful. Inspiring!  My mental strength kicked in and my legs kept moving. I felt no pain, my weakness left. I knew then my legs would carry me through this whole race....I was going to do this!!!!

We reached the half way point strong. I still felt good. When I would look over at Scott, he looked proud. He had a look in his eyes that made me want to push harder. I wanted him to see that I was not going to let 7-20 cm and a lump control me.

Mile 7 turned to into mile 9 then 10. I was still feeling strong. My legs were still carrying me along. Then it happened with only 3 miles to go. 7-20 cm came between me and finishing this race stronger and faster then I had ever finished a race. 7-20 cm of pain like I had never felt before. Not leg pain, not knee pain, but cyst pain. The pain that I was going to show who the boss was. Pain that I was not going to let control me anymore....it did. Right, at mile 10 it showed me who was in control. I felt it kick in with force. I felt like I was going to throw up, it hurt so bad. I was not ready to quit, and I didn't. Tears filled my eyes, I was P-I-S-S-E-D. Why now, why here, why, why, why, why, why couldn't you wait 3 more miles.

Scott, put his arm around me. He knew I was hurting. The words he said, (I wish I could quote everyone of them), pushed me. So we wiped my tears, pick a starting point and pressed on. I was trying my hardest to push threw. I knew I wasn't going to set a PR, but I was still going to finish this race strong. I was going to slow jog this in, not walk it in. I tried, I tried so hard to just slow jog but the pain consumed me. So mentally I decided I would walk a little more at mile 11 and try to build some strength to overcome this pain. If I could do that I could run the rest of this race, not as strong as I when we started but I could still run it in and feel proud. I dug in deep, searching for strength, fighting back tears, fighting this pain. Finishers started lining the streets carrying there new Vera Bradley bags. They had this seasons print, Jess would freak out. She was so excited to get our bags. She had no idea what print she was getting. I had to get to that finish line to get her that bag. That was motivation. I kept on going. The mile 12 came, only one more mile. The pain struck again, I had to walk.....I have NEVER walk any part of the last mile of a race. I picked two cones and decided I would run again. I was not going to walk this last mile. I was not going to walk through the finish line.....I didn't! It hurt, it hurt bad. I was mad, sad, disappointed. I had something to prove and I didn't prove it.

As I ran toward the finish line I noticed the banner said Start, not Finish. I am sure this was done for photo purposes, but I viewed it as a sign. This is the Start for me not the finish. Even though we didn't finish with a new PR, we started a new journey together. A journey that I will start with strength and confidence just like I started this race. With Scott by my side, and God all around me, I will do this!  So I did. I kept running. I picked up my pace and ran under the banner and through the finish line strong. We finished strong and will finish strong again!

Here is a photo of the swag. I am thinking Scott is going to look so cute carrying his new tote to class with all of his books!!!

Thumbs up and big smiles. We finished this race with a time of 2 hours and 21 minutes.

Scott joked with me and turned my sadness into laughter. He made me proud....again!

I LOVE THIS GUY!!!!







Gracefully, I looked up to God so many times during this race. I looked for strength. I felt His had on my back as He pushed me along. His love is so amazing. Feeling His presence gets me through everything!