It's My Goal... And I Can Explain...

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 3^rd. 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 :)