I ran my first 1/2 of a 1/2 marathon yesterday. 6.55 miles. I know, to some (maybe most) of you this is a kiddy lap but to ME this was a feat! It all began one day in Colorado at my parents cabin when I was complaining of this 10 pounds (or should I be honest and say 15 😉 ) that snuck up on me out of nowhere and latched on. I swore I was doing everything I could to make it go away but in reality I knew I was making excuses.
Jen, a friend of mine that also had a place nearby in Colorado, then told me about this relay she was doing – the RunGirl 1/2 marathon. “You should get a partner and sign up. It’s only 6.55 miles. You can do that!”
With a blank stare I muttered, “Uh huh…” Who was she talking to! Yes, I do admittedly love to work out but I don’t like to run unless someone is chasing me! Working out or bootcamp gives me a sense of structure and movement. Ever since I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis I had to do something to keep moving and thankfully it stuck or much more than 10-15 pounds would be clinging! Running seemed so dull. Besides, I always told myself that it would be too much for my joints to endure.
But it’s hard to say no to Jen. She has this ‘You can do it’ positive attitude that is hard to resist. So I found myself accepting the challenge. When we made it back to Texas I figured Jen would forget but there in my mailbox first thing was the link to the website to register.
“I can do this,” I thought and sent an email to Stephanie who I thought would be the best partner because she was already running and liked to work out as early as I did. And so Sista Sweat was created and for three months Stephanie and I ‘trained’. In actuality Stephanie slowed her pace down and was more of my personal motivator/ encourager as I struggled through running 1 mile, then 2 then finally 3 at a time without stopping.
Then the time came to see if I could manage a 6 mile run … the first time through if I thought about how far the distance was it made me want to stop and turn around. However, when we ran and talked (or she talked and I did more of the ‘listening’) the time seemed to go by and before I knew it I was making it through mile 5 and 6! Plus. 8 lbs miraculously slipped off. Well, not miraculously, I mean I have watched my calories and stayed clear of the sweets (except for maybe a Hershey Kiss a day) ;).
Yesterday was our final moment – the RunGirl Marathon and SistaSweat came in 40 (or was it 41st?) out of 108 relay teams! 🙂 What worked well was the fact that Stephanie and I had encouraged two other friends of ours to form a relay team as well so I got to run with Holly and Stephanie ran with Donna. Holly likes to talk (and I like to listen 🙂 ) so before I knew it we had completed the 6.55 miles without stopping except to drink a quick glass of water!
If you would have asked me this time last year if I would ever consider running 6 miles (or even 3 for that matter) I would have laughed out loud. Literally. If this goal did anything for me it was to remind me that when I put my mind to something (and effort and sweat) and take it one step at a time with a willingness and patience to prepare then I can do anything.
How many times in my life have I thought “I could never do that.” or “I could never live through that?” Regardless of how simple the task or how awful the tragedy I know I can live through what is given to me – one breath at a time…one step forward…with prayer and with the strength of Christ knowing I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Maybe we are all stronger than we give ourselves credit?
Now…who wants to sign up to do a 13.1 (1/2 Marathon) with me? 🙂 Seriously….
Blessings
Shannon