WHY
in the world did you do this??
What
in the world would make you want to run 13.1 miles, in the heat, in giant
crowds, through the streets of an unfamiliar town?
I’m glad you asked! Well, ok -even though
you may not have actually “asked”, I feel led to tell you.
Over the last few months, I’ve been
working through a Half Marathon training program so that I could participate in
the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Savannah, GA on November 3rd. In
order to get through my training, I have run late at night, I have run early in
the morning in the pitch dark, I have run while pushing my children (at a
combined 67 pounds) in the jogging stroller, I have run in the pouring rain,
and I have given up sleeping in on the weekend by running early every single
Saturday for the last 7 weeks.
 |
| This is when I had to go out and run in the pouring rain. |
Oddly though, I don’t really consider myself a “runner” and am typically pretty hesitant to even say that I run. In fact, the only reason I’ve become vocal about it lately is for the sake of accountability. If I know people know I am training for a specific goal, I can’t just give up.
But - I know that my pace is not
nearly as fast as a traditional runner’s pace. I also know that I don’t look
like a typical runner. At 5’1, I’m short, I have short legs, and well, let’s
just say that I’m not a size 2 :) There are days I struggle for every single
mile, and I'm sure it doesn't look pretty as I work to get my feet off the
ground. And, after some long runs I'm so disgustingly drenched in sweat I'm not
sure what the original color of my shirt was. Yet… somehow my legs have
managed to carry me over 100 miles in the last 2 months.
So here are a few of the key
motivators behind this difficult, long, rewarding, and personal journey.
1.
It’s on my “Bucket List”, plain and
simple. Ever since I ran my very first individual race in October 2009 (The
Virginia 4 Miler), I have said that I wanted to run a half marathon. So this
has been on my mind for awhile, and just turned into a personal desire of mine.
I turned 30 this past February, and thought this year would be a perfect
year to make it happen in honor of my new decade. There’s no time like
the present, right? :)
2.
As I look back at the past 10 years,
I’ve always been driving towards a goal or working through a challenge. First
it was to graduate early to get married, then to complete my Master’s degree,
then to get Joey through his cancer treatments, then for many years my main
focus was just on getting through fertility treatments and getting pregnant. So
about 6 months ago, I found myself pondering this and thought “now what?” I
don’t need more schooling, I’ve had my children, and Joey is well. Yes, I’m
content and active as a mom, a wife, a teacher, and am busy with roles at
church, but what about a more personal goal? Something that I can put effort into
outside of my roles at home and church? I don’t want to be stagnate or just ok
with the status quo. I want to do more. I want to challenge myself. I want my
children to see mommy working towards a goal and striving to be better.
3.
This third reason is probably
the most personal of all, but I think it’s necessary to be transparent to
explain my full desire to train for this race. When Joey was diagnosed with
cancer in 2005, we knew we either wouldn’t be able to have any biological
children, or that the journey to having them would be very difficult. The
latter proved true. It was a complicated, emotionally and physically exhausting
journey, but God carried us, and in the end, He graciously blessed us with our
two precious children. That chapter in our lives is now closed, and we are not
able to have anymore biological children. Growing up I thought I’d be a baby
making machine! So honestly, there are days that dealing with this new reality
is still very difficult for me. It’s not that I don’t trust God and His perfect
plan for us; it’s that I’m a woman who had a longing in my heart to get
pregnant – a lot! – and have lots of children. So it’s working through my own
emotions. So where does running come into play? Easy – it’s something else
productive and healthy that I can do with my body! If I can’t pop out
babies, why not do something else that’s good for my body and healthy?! Plus,
it’s a good way to “reclaim” my body as mine after 1 c-section and 1 tough
delivery.
4.
I want our home to be one where our
children grow up believing that fitness is the rule – not the exception. I
don’t want to sit idle and then have my children model that. And having
children that are active and goal driven can start with me. Over the last few
weeks Abigail has shown a real interest in running and she really truly enjoys
putting on her tennis shoes and going out with mommy for a run. And honestly,
she’s pretty fast too! :) A few months ago, this wasn’t the case. I want
to create a culture in our home of being active!
 |
| Me and Abs out on a run together! |
5.
Lastly, WHY NOT run a half
marathon!? They have these races all the time… if others can do it, why can’t
I? What would be stopping me? Why shouldn’t I want to attain this goal? So as
Nike says – JUST DO IT! Besides, after most half marathons, you get a pretty
blinged out medal! :)
So, I will continue to lace up the
running shoes, put in my pearl earrings, turn on my running tunes, strap down
my Under Armour visor, and get my feet hitting the pavement – even if I don’t
“look” like a runner and even if I’m not as fast as everyone else. As long my
legs will go, I will keep going. And in a few weeks, I hope and pray that I can
say that this is one goal I can cross off my bucket list.
So – what about YOU?? Do you have a
personal goal? A personal challenge you are working towards?
If so, what is it?
If not, why not?
I encourage everyone to break the
molds, break the labels, and try something NEW. Challenge yourself. You might
be impressed with how far you can go.
And P.S.- If you are an avid
runner and don't think 13.1 is a big deal, well kudos to you for your fitness
and running prowess, but please don't burst my bubble. Thanks :)
