The Longest Run...

First a quick story.

So, I've never been a 'runner'. I've always found running hard and cruel and thought people who enjoyed it were crazy. I always was in the pool for sports growing up and in high school, and on the days we'd cross train, and run a mile or such, I would ditch. (sorry coach). 

But despite that, I've always wanted to be a runner. I've always seen people running, and thought that I could never do it. I'd always say my body just wasn't built for running, that I was a swimmer instead. So since I thought I couldn't, my rebellious side always wanted to prove myself wrong.

When I was in Utah in 2008, I got a bit into running. I did a few 5K's, but that was it. Then once we moved to Michigan, I lost all motivation and energy (mostly from working the night shift I think), and gained 15-20 lbs. Then I got pregnant on top of that- which really put a damper in my running goals, not to mention weight goals. 

So after having Sophia, I read a book called 'Born To Run' and it turned on a light switch inside of me. It said that our bodies are evolutionarily meant to run! That is what our ancestors did to catch food. So me saying I just 'wasn't built for running' didn't make any sense. I was a human body engineered for running. The book was incredibly inspirational to both Rick and I, and also got us into 'bare foot running' (hence my funny looking shoes). 

So I started running. Slowly, very slowly, I built up endurance and speed. At first I could only run for a minute or two. Over the course of a year, I started to be able to run for an hour at a time, and actually enjoyed it?! Then I started thinking, I wonder how far I could go???

And thus, I signed up for my first Half Marathon (13.1 miles), which I did today! 

My only goals were to finish, and not be the last one. And I did it!

We drove 2 hours away to Midland, Michgan. It was cool and foggy, actually perfect for running.

Some of my other friends were there to.

Rick and Sophia came to cheer me on.

(no, I didn't push the stroller. I'm not that crazy)

My pace was much slower than what I had been training at. Probably because I have been sick and couldn't run these last 2 weeks. I had planned to finish in 2hrs 40 mins or so. But I didn't let that get me down. Like I said, my goal was to finish and not be last, so I just kept trucking and made sure some people were behind me. It was an out-and-back trail, so once I made it half way (6.5 miles) I had this great feeling of "I'm really going to do this!" because I was 6.5 miles away, and the only way to get back was on my own two feet. 

I actually felt really happy the whole race. I had an app on my phone where people could write me messages on Facebook, and I'd hear them. It was awesome to hear friends from all over the world (thank you to Tamara for messaging me from Dubai!) letting me know they were cheering for me. My family was watching me on a map and commenting as I went. It was great!

The last mile I pushed as hard as I could so I could at least come in under 3 hours...

I was met by my little cheering squad.
Sophia was waving this cute sign all around.
Rick taught her to say 'Go Mommy!' and she said it all afternoon.

Under 3 hours!!!
It's not the best time, I know. But it's MY time, and I am proud of it. Because I ran for almost 3 hours.
I earned every second of that.
And next time (yes, there will definitely be a next time!) I hope to do much better.

I immediately ran over to my family and collapsed.

I felt so happy afterwards. Happy to be done, happy to have accomplished such a huge thing for me, and so happy to have proven something to myself.

The happy running family!

The awesome sign

And I got a medal!
(well, all the finishers did, but I'll take it!)

Very legit.

And I quickly sat down, took some Advil for my tired/sore legs, and iced away as we drove back home.

So lessons learned.

I learned that I can do anything I set my mind to. There have been other times in my life that I've had that realization, but there is nothing like working towards a goal for 10 weeks (not including the year building up to that), the training, the waking up early, the pain and tiredness- and then accomplishing that goal. And I have come to love running! Who'd have thought. I am finally starting to tell people that I'm a 'runner', and it's strange but true.

I wanted to do this for myself, and also for Sophia. I want her to have an example of a strong, healthy, and goal oriented woman for a mother. I want her to know that her body is a wonderful gift, and is capable of amazing things, as we take care of it. 

In the process of this I've lost about 25lbs (over the course of the last 6 months). I have struggled with weight my whole life (ever seen any pictures of me from high school? no? there's a reason.) And I made a point to myself that while I was doing this, my focus was to become strong, not lose weight. And there was a good month where I didn't lose a single pound, but I knew I was becoming stronger- so I didn't care. I can honestly say that. I may still be heavier than I feel comfortable at, but I feel stronger than I ever have before. I don't want Sophia to struggle with weight, and mostly I don't want her to struggle with not loving herself because of her weight. I've know from the day I found out that I was pregnant with a girl, that the best way I could protect her from the horrors that surround female body image, was to be an example of someone who is healthy, and loves and cares for their body- despite what a scale says. 

Running this distance was a mental game. It was not physical past 4 miles (after that my legs go on auto). It was my mind saying this was too hard and that I couldn't do it. And that is life. It's all a mental game. I really believe accomplishing large goals gives our minds the self-confidence to succeed and defeat our weaknesses.

And I'm not done!

I am definitely going to keep running, and do more races, and more half marathons. And dare I say it, a full marathon someday???

This post is mostly for me. To help me remember what I've done and where I've been. But for anyone else reading this, it can be for you too! 

If I did this, if I was able to go from running a minute at a time, to running 13.1 miles- you can to. Or whatever it is, you can do it! We are amazing! Our bodies and our minds are amazing! And there is no limit to what we can do!