I did it!

FINISHER: Champion, Megan TIME: 34:20 PACE: 11:03

Talk about pre race jitters.

I was excited and nervous all at the same time.

At best I had hoped to cross the finish line still running, maybe in 40 – 45 minutes.

Realistically, I figured I would be walking shortly after my second mile.

I’ve never run farther than that.

I always get side cramps, or whatever you call them, and can barely breathe.

Surely this would be no different.

It was so much fun.

Lining up, waiting for the horn to sound and the lot of us to head on our way.


I got in the very back with the senior runners and the stroller pushers.

It was a while after the horn sounded before we even began to move.

Then we were off and I shuffled along, being passed, on person after another.

I thought about the tortoise and the hare.

“Slow and steady wins the race”

Well, I certainly wouldn’t be winning, but if I was going to finish running, I’d better pace myself slow.

Everyone beforehand kept telling me,

“Run your OWN race. Run like you trained. No different.”

So that’s what I did.

And it wasn’t hard.

I felt a little competitive, but I was just so happy to be there, it didn’t matter that everyone was passing me.

2 miles in.

I get that blasted side cramp under my right rib, just like always, I want to stop so badly but I’m determined to do everything I can to finish running.

I tuck my arm up under my rib and hold it there tightly with my other arm.

This makes it incredibly difficult to keep running, but I don’t care.

A race medic on a moped passes me, and notices me biting my lip in pain,

“Are you ok?”

I nod.

“Lord, please just let me finish running.”

It seemed as though all the cool breezes stopped and the sun began to glaze angrily down upon me in the last mile.

The sweat that ran down my back felt like molten lava and all I could do was take tiny gasps of air to keep going.

Finally, I could see the end of the track, there was a crowd of people there and though I could not make out any faces, I was certain Hank and Ethan were waiting for me there.

The pain in my side had begun to subside, and I unhooked my arm and picked up my pace,

“I can’t believe I’m going to finish running.”

I didn’t know if I could.

My eyes started to burn as I realized how close I was getting.

“I never stopped!”

I was so overjoyed with myself, I was nearly delirious.

I was so slow.

But I was constant.

And I ran though that terrible side cramp.

Now I was going to cross the finish line.

I was high with emotion as I searched the crowed for my two guys.

As I got closer the faces were more clear, then there they were, smiling and waving.

I didn’t even see Hank with the camera.



I saw Ethan his little hand waving frantically, calling out,

“Yay Mommy!”

God this was the best feeling in the world.

I can believe I’m really here.

I rounded the corner and looked up at the clock,

34 minutes

I was shocked.

I never expected to make it in under 40.

I entered to do my best and I had already braced myself to be the last person crossing.

And THAT would be ok.

But this was much better.

Ethan ran up and hugged me.

I searched for water and a place to lean.


Ethan chattered on about his fun in the bounce house and I despite my best efforts began to cry.

Not full on sobs, though I’m sure I would have, had I been alone.

I don’t know why really, I just felt so happy, so relieved that I did well. Not great, but well.

I finished running which was the only thing I ever wanted to do.

And I did it in decent time.

All this, my first run and I’m sure every run after it, is truly an accomplishment for me.

I thought back to my brief stint in ‘real’ high school and smiled,

My PE teacher yelling at me to run the track and I just couldn’t do it.

“You’re a disgrace Mathis!”

Well guess what?



Not anymore.

Tomorrow's Big Race

Is not so much of a BIG race really.

But it will be my first race.

Finally.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t more than a tad nervous.

I always get nervous when I have to perform on any level. When I’m tested.

Whether it be with school, work or play.

I don’t want to fail at anything.

“Just do it for the tee shirt!”

That’s what my best running friends will tell me.

Marathon runners and tri-athletes.

Yeah.

They do it for the tee shirts.

Sure.

Getting sick before Gate River Run was such a huge disappointment, not being able to participate in that race after I had worked so hard.

So hard, that I made myself sick.

Oh well, it was the race that really got me motivated to run in the first place.

So it wasn’t a loss.

This is actually a pretty emotional thing for me.

Running.

I really hate running at times, often while it’s happening.

In intervals of 3 to 5 minute periods.

Lately, when my feet are pounding against the pavement, I’m thinking,

“I hate this!”

I want to stop where I’m at and walk home.

But I don’t.

My favorite thing to say to myself when I’m running, and the fire inches up my calves and into my thighs is,

“If this was easy… everyone would do it.”

And two years ago, there was no way in the world that I was physically capable of running.

I was so overweight and out of shape that a few short steps put me out of breath. Running would be a nightmare.

Yet here I am.

I think of what I must look like, shuffling down the sidewalks in my neighborhood, one foot in front of the other.

My thighs jiggling from where all that extra fat used to be.

I hope I look determined.

If nothing else, I’m sure I looked pained!

I feel more blessed than you can ever even imagine being where I am right now.

Thin.

God.

That sounds crazy to all you lifelong skinny’s (No offense, most of my best friends are all size zeros!)

Sometimes, when I’m running, I will get choked up because it’s still so surreal to me, that my body can do these things.

Most of my life I had been told I couldn’t.

I run because I can.

Not because I love it, but because God gave me the ability to.

It’s amazing to me.

This is what I wanted for so long, and now I have it.

It’s still so much work!

Ha!

But I love that feeling, when I round the corner and I can see my house.

I know that my run is almost over.

I think,

“I’ve done it again.”

My body is strong now.

Tomorrow is an important day for me.

I may place last, but I’ll place.

Pouring sweat and with a smile.

Racing against my favorite opponent

I had an awesome run this morning.

I had an increase of .4 miles which is great (so I’m up to 1.8) and I’m running the entire time, not walking any of it, which is a vast improvement.

Since I missed out on the Gate River Run for this year, I’m going to shoot for the Shrimp Festival 5K on May 2nd

That will give me plenty of time to train to be able to run the entire distance without problem and start working on my time.

Since my runs are getting faster now, I need to find an additional cardio exercise so that I’m getting at least a full hour in every day.

My bike is a cruiser with gears, I may try that. Although, I’m not sure how rigorous it will be.

This morning I fixed Hank and I an Egg White Frittata with cauliflower (it’s what I had in the fridge) and I think that the egg whites and veggies are better fuel than my high fiber cereal and fruit.

Either that or my endurance is just getting better.

May be a combination of the two, anyway – it’s good to have some pre run alternatives when it comes to food.

I realized something today, while mapping out a training schedule for the race in May.

I think that now I’m at home, I’m not going to be focusing on competition at work – I’ll have to find competition somewhere (unless Hank feels like sparring in the living room)

I have always been my own greatest opponent, so it only seems natural.

Anyway,

I have a busy day ahead of me, going to see a friend who just got out of the hospital yesterday and then I have to come home and take care of a slew of chores.

I need to finish up here and get on with it.

Ta-ta!