Amazing!

I have been told by 5 people in the last few days that I am "slacking" on my blogging. So, I am committing to be better. Right here. Right now.

With no further adieu, here was my weekend.

I ran in my first half marathon race! I trained with a friend, Kristal, but she wasn't able to run with me (she is doing the Big D half next month). I hit a wall a few weeks ago during my 11 mile run that was a beating. I had a stiff neck for 2 weeks. But I was determined to run. Hoping it would go well. Well is an understatement. The race was amazing.

We drove to Longview and spent the night with friends of ours from law school. It was so great to see them!!!! Zeb and Julia slept at Devin and Jana's and I slept with the older 3 at Chad and Lacey's. I had a hard time sleeping. I kept thinking, "What if I hit a wall?" "What if the hills are too big?"

Zeb woke up at 5:00 on Saturday morning (unbeknownst to me), where he bought posters to paint. Jana said it was a very sweet sight to see Zeb painting me signs in the wee hours of the morning.

Zeb dropped me off at the race and I stretched and waited for it to start. As the race started there were people passing me right and left. I kept telling myself to go at the pace I planned and not follow the crowd and go too fast. As people kept passing me I thought, "I'm going to be the last one!" But I didn't care. I knew what I could run at and I was going to finish. The hills were big but I felt great. I kept the pace I wanted and kept going.

As I passed different people I could see spectators holding signs. It was so fun. By the time I got to mile 8 I saw a little family off to the side with posters. I thought, "That is so cute. Look at those little kids." As I got closer I looked over and realized, "Those are my kids. That's MY family!!!!" I almost started sobbing right there. My throat was burning and I knew I had to keep it together. But at that moment feeling the love and support from my husband, children, and friends was the most amazing feeling.

They had come to cheer me on. Boy I was on cloud nine.

Then at mile 10 they surprised me again. It was so awesome. The girls made the posters this time. Hallie's said, "You go girl, I mean Mom! I love you!" Claire's said, "You're running mountains. Keep going!!!" It was so great.

People were stopping to walk. The hills made some people underprepared. Some people started out too fast. Some people were just speed demons and finished in an hour and 10 minutes (what is that, a 5 minute mile??? wow). I had so much energy that the whole run was enjoyable. I felt great the whole time.

And I never had to go to the bathroom. Not once. For me, that is THE BIGGEST MIRACLE!!! Sorry, TMI. But I felt SOOOOO blessed.

I sprinted around the track and finished my first half marathon. My time was 2:13. Right what I was shooting for!

And of course, had the best cheerleaders there to cheer me on.

I can't even describe what a great experience this was for me. I am so grateful. I had so many friends bring me gatorade, socks, energy bars and more to wish me good luck. I never would have been able to train without Michelle here to help watch the kids. And I am so glad my friend up the street asked me to train with her.

I have always wondered why on earth anyone would EVER want to run for so long. Now I know. It's the accomplishment that you feel when you finish something you have worked so hard for. You work and train so hard and you don't give up.

I gained insight while training for this race that I have been searching for. I was on a 6 mile run a few weeks ago. At mile 5 with lots of hills, side aches, a bad back, and being so sore I knew I still had a mile left. I was so exhausted but I had to finish. I wasn't going to quit. I told myself over and over, "You can do this. You can do this." In that moment it hit me. Training for a race is like motherhood and life. If you tell yourself you can't do it you won't. Or you will and it will be miserable. It's all about our attitude. Some days in life are not so good. Other days are better. But during the journey it's up to us to tell ourselves we can do it. Because WE CAN do it!!!

I did it! I finished! Wow I am blessed!