When I started my journey, one of my only goals was to complete a 10k run. At the time I thought that would be a stretch goal because I couldn't even run 30 seconds. But, I knew that with a little determination, and some luck not getting hurt, I could do it... (maybe)
During my training, I've already run up to 11 miles so completing the 6.2 miles doing the Bellin Run shouldn't be too hard. I was prepared. What I wasn't prepared for was the emotion that would follow once I crossed the finish line. More on that in a moment.
It was a warm June morning and we were getting ready for our run! Nikki and I had a light breakfast and headed over to Heidi's house to meet her, Mom, and Amber. Mom headed to Nikki's sister's house to watch the race and Nikki, Amber, Heidi, and I walked to the park to join the race preparation.
Amber and I did some light warm-up jogging and then I headed off to corral 4 while they headed for number 7. While waiting for the race start, they played the national anthem - a simple saxophone version. I can be a very emotional person when it comes to stuff like that, so I did tear up just a bit. I tried to focus on the run rather than the emotion of it.
The race soon started - 14 minutes after the start of the race, I finally crossed the start line. There were nearly 18,000 people in the race so it took some time for me to get there, and even longer for the girls. By the time I crossed the start - the elite runners were already at mile 3. By the time the girls crossed, the first place woman crossed the finish line!
I had a preset goal in mind for my first mile. I wanted to keep to this pace so I didn't go out too fast in the excitement of the event. I was able to keep my pace quite well, but quickly learned that some others that had signed up to run faster than me already started walking with their children at 1/4 mile into the race. I had to weave in and out which seemed to slow my overall speed and time (I had hoped for a personal best)
The first water stop arrived at mile 2 and I learned that running with water and trying to drink it at the same time doesn't go so well. I managed to take my GU energy gel with some water and dumped a cup over my head. I headed down toward mile 3 and came across Mom and Nikki's family cheering us on. I knew where they would be so I tried to get their attention, but they didn't see me until I was right there and then gone.
The wonderful people of Green Bay cheered us on, played music, rang their cow bells, and sprayed us with hoses and sprinklers to keep us cool. That was wonderful and much needed! As I headed into mile 5 - which was my hardest mile because it was in direct sunlight and I was starting to get tired, I thought of walking but I looked at my wrist and saw the Team In Training bracelet, which reminded me not to give up. I was no running for a cure!
Here's a picture of me running during mile 5, taken by their event photographers that the bring in. I didn't know they were right there or I would have focused on my form and facial expression!
Notice how wet I am from all of the hoses and sprinklers! As I came into the final stretch, back in Heidi's neighborhood, the crowds were louder and they really helped pull me through faster and stronger at the end of the run. As I crossed that finish line and was walking through the cool-down area grabbing water and food, it hit me. I had just achieved my goal, something just a few months ago I thought wouldn't be possible, that it would just be another goal I set and would never finish. To actually complete it felt wonderful. I started thinking about all of the changes I've made in the past 6 months. The knee and shin pain, the good days and bad days training, the dietary changes, and the 50 pounds I've lost. It hit me, I did it. I walked back to Heidi's house as I didn't really feel like breaking out in public. I grabbed my water, sat on the porch and let it out. Nearly a lifetime of weight struggles, yo-yo fad dieting, body image struggles, and at times unhappiness came pouring out in the form of tears running down my cheeks.
I had done it. I just overcame all of my previous struggles, and ripped that demon off my back in just 1 hour 3 minutes and 6.2 miles on a beautiful but warm Saturday morning. What an amazing feeling. I sat there and reflected on what this meant to me and soaked in the feeling of accomplishment until Amber arrived about an hour later.
An amazing feeling indeed! (minus my nearly bloody nipples - lesson learned for next time)
Not too much time to savor this moment, as I have had to continue my training for the 1/2 marathon on July 4th! (now, just a few days away because it took me so long to write about this.)
Tomorrow is my monthly weigh-in. Tune in for an updated measurement and picture post!
