This past Saturday I had, what just might be, THE MOST incredible experience of my life. (My kiddos aside of course :) ) The only way to go about this is to start at the beginning.
Back in May-ish, Scott said, "There's a half marathon in October, want to do it?" and I actually laughed at him. Then I realized he was serious. A week later a confirmation email showed up in my inbox. So there I was, a person who loves a good run, but never thought I'd run more than a 10k (6.2 miles- a distance I hadn't raced yet), being "forced" to train for a distance twice as long as I ever planned to do. What a blessing that "force" was!!
In the months following, My friend Gwen and I pushed each other through, laughs and tears, aches, pains, and injuries, until the big day Saturday.
Saturday morning we left Searcy before the sun came up to get to the course. By the time we parked, walked to the site, checked our bags in, went to the bathroom, and walked back to the starting line, there was only about 5 minutes until start time! The race coordinator started giving instructions on how the waves would work- four waves- fastest runners, faster runners, runners that just want to finish (this is where Scott, my friend Gwen, and I were) and then the fourth wave was walkers. After a few more instructions there was a prayer led by the director of Soaring Wings Ranch. Before I go on, Soaring Wings Ranch is a permanent Christian home for children that have been through unfortunate circumstances and need a chance. All the race proceeds went to support this home.
Back to the prayer. Have you ever been with almost 2000 people during a prayer and had it be SO quiet you could hear a pin drop- a mile away? 1400 participants, plus volunteers and spectators all heard the words the director had to say. It's beyond touching. This is about the time I started fighting my emotions.
After the prayers, a lady with a beautiful voice started singing the Start Spangled Banner. Again, it was touching, but it wasn't until the racers started humming softly while she sang that I completely lost it. I still get teary eyed just thinking about it. There are no words for how amazing that was!
Within minutes, we were moving. Scott stayed with me for about 2 minutes, then his long legs couldn't take it and he took off. I knew he wouldn't stay with us (Gwen and I). Scott is a much faster runner. I wished him good luck and told him I'd see him at the finish line.
Gwen and I kept a pretty steady pace for the first half of the race. The whole course was hills. There isn't a single racer that won't tell you how hard this course was! We'd go up a hill, not just a little hill, but a pretty decent sized one, and after maybe a block or two we'd go down, and this is how the whole thing went. There was not a single stretch that was longer than a couple blocks that was flat. After about mile 6, I felt the fatigue come on. The hills just seemed to get worse with less downhill each time. The one thing I new for sure was that the last mile was all down hill.
Somewhere between miles six and seven my parents and James and Evie found us on the course. I knew they would be at the finish line, but I didn't know they would be on the course. All the emotion from the start of the race came flooding back. They also waited at almost 10 miles and again at 12, and then of course they were all at the finish line.
Scott finished the race in 2 hours and 9 minutes! He's a rock star :-D Gwen and I pushed hard the last half, we walked a bit more each mile, especially on the hills. But we tried to not walk too long each time, and really tried to use the downhills to our advantage. That last mile was really helpful :) Oddly enough, the last quarter mile was hardest for me personally. Every inch of my body hurt and I could almost feel it shutting down. It was all I could do to keep running. Something sparked in me on the last turn and the finish line was right in front of me, I ran as fast as my wobbly legs would allow and Gwen and I crossed the finish together at 2 hours and 19 minutes. My whole family was right there at the finish line. I could hear them all shouting for me and Gwen and then someone announced our names and it all became official. All the training, all the running I had just done. They said MY name. (and everyone else too of course) The feeling that overcame me is indescribable. I was smiling as I crossed and the next thing I know I am sobbing and hyperventilating. I was so happy, and so proud of myself, and oh so sore, and COMPLETELY overwhelmed with everything I was feeling.
My dad was in charge of the camera. He got some really great pictures that I wish I could post, but as usual I'm having trouble. My favorite one is one that I wouldn't normally post under any other circumstance, but the emotion and vulnerability that he caught with me high-fiving Scott isn't something I am ashamed of.
Five months ago I never would have considered running a half marathon. Five weeks ago I was saying I would never do another half marathon. Five days ago I never thought I could finish a half marathon in under 2 1/2 hours...
Never say never right??
