2011...what a year!

2011 was quite an interesting year for me. I did a lot for me and accomplished quite a bit: lost about 120 pounds, completed about seven 5Ks, one 5-miler, one 10-miler and my first half marathon. I experienced heartache, but then found a wonderful, loving, supportive partner in life. :-) In between all this stuff, I did something I've never done before: I dated. I got some experience in meeting new people and met a few interesting characters along the way. I also started this blog in 2011, to keep me motivated in running 150 miles in 150 days. It was definitely a motivator! I also met some amazing people who've had similar experiences or were just starting on their journey, including Ben Davis and his brother and father. Participating in the Do Life 5K tour gave me the extra push to help train for the half marathon. Thank you!

I rang in the New Year with Matt, a glass of Moscato and the sight and sound of neighbors' fireworks and company of the Squidbillies.

The first day of 2012 has been awesome. It was a lazy Sunday, at least for me. I spent some quality time with Matt, did yard work in the backyard, clipped coupons, watched the remainder of the second volume of Squidbillies, cooked dinner (with the help of my honey) and did dishes (also with the help of my honey!). I also read about a 100 pages of Kara Goucher's "Running for Women" while taking notes.

I don't have any resolutions for 2012, more like goals.
1) Complete the Gate River Run and laugh in the face of the Green Monster.
2) Complete a 5K, 10K and half marathon in a 24-hour period, aka the Tour de Pain Extreme.
3) Plan and create an herb garden and butterfly garden in the backyard.
4) Become a certified group fitness instructor.
5) Complete the 12-week Do Life Challenge.
6) Start writing my book.
7) Do life with Matt, including date nights, roadtrips, time in the kitchen, etc. :-)

Whew....I'm already working on some of these goals....can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for me!

Post Race Report

It took awhile to process things...it was such an amazing moment, well, series of moments.

I just couldn't get enough sleep the night before. First, the AC in the hotel room wasn't blowing cold air, so it was a little sticky in the room. And of course, I couldn't sleep because I was so excited. Although I fell asleep around 11 pm, I eagerly awoke when my 3 am alarm chimed. I took a shower with little water pressure, did my usual morning routines and made my oatmeal and apple breakfast. I watched the Showtime channel while eating...some weird movie beause every other channel had infomercials playing. I got my special outfit on, checked off my list: watch (check), shuffle (check), race bib (check) and pace bib (check). Matt woke up about an hour after me and got ready pretty quickly. We walked outside the hotel and got on the shuttle bus. It seemed like it took forever to get to the race site. I saw everyone around me excited. Some were drinking their special pre-race shakes. Some were conversing about their expected paces. Some were quiet (like me).

We got to the race site at about 4:50 am. Matt helped secure my bibs and my D-tag. We took pictures with the space props. We sat down to soak it all in....A little later I did my last minute pit stop and searched high and low for a water fountain (because they didn't have water out). We walked to the start area. I found my pace team with leader Marcella. I tried to focus on the tips she was giving, but my mind kept wondering about what was to come. Matt and I embraced for 5 minutes....then I was on my own....

The blast off started....countdown 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1! Then, nothing. No movement....I started to feel really antsy....I didn't pass the finish line until about 5-6 minutes after the start. What a crazy few minutes! It felt as if we were on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, except without the beads!

LMAO's "Sexy and I Know It" started my 13 mile journey. Also, what started instantly: my back began to hurt. I tried not to panic... I wasn't going to stop! Every mile marker, our pace team cheered for another mile down. I was keeping up with Marcela pretty well. Every water station we walked up to the station, then drank and walked several yards before starting again.

Around mile 2-3, the slight rain started. It felt so refreshing and kept my mind off my back. I saw the sun peek through the clouds and glisten across the Indian River during its rise. I smelt the river and its breeze. I felt the waves and currents...It was so peaceful.

About the turnaround point, my knees started hurting and my feet were aching. I still had half the race left! The cheering crowds helped me get through the last half of the race....also the many people who saw my shirt and while passing me, and congratulated me on my accomplishments kept the fire still burning.

I also kept distracted by thinking about you guys...about all who have touched my life in some way. I also thought about myself and what I have accomplished. That no one can EVER take this away from me. That I am stronger than I give myself credit for. That I am doing this!

Around mile 10, the full marathon winner, a gentleman from Nicaragua passed me....he had a police escort...how amazing! How can someone be that fast for that long!?

Around mile 11, I started crying. "It Will Rain" by Bruno Mars started playing...I guess it all became real that I was about to finish my first half marathon! Lil' Wayne's "How To Love" played after that, and I started to think about how I didn't love myself...but now I do...more crying and 1 mile left...

The intracoastal bridge was my benchmark on how far I had left. It was such a sweet sight to see the crowds and bridge get bigger. One person stood out in the crowds....I'm not sure if she was just a mirage or real. She was about my age and had dark hair pulled back. She was wearing a dark colored shirt and I think jeans. Every so many miles, she was shouting, cheering and clapping for us. As we passed, she looked us in the eyes...her encouragement helped so much! Every time I needed her, she was there!

As we turned to the park and onto the sidewalk, I couldn't hold my emotions back...I started crying until I could hardly breathe, then I had to stop....my feet, my back were hurting...my knees swollen, but I somehow found the strength to run a little faster to the finish. At the finish line, I screamed bloody murder. I think I may have annoyed those who finished near me. Marcella was there to greet me at the finish and one of the volunteers wanted to give me my medal because I was the one who made all that noise. I took a few pictures then I met up with Uncle Doug, Victor and Matt.

It felt weird to stop. The pain in my feet was throbbing and I limped around slowly. I had my breakfast and just took a deep breath....wow!

I took off my shoes and socks gingerly....I found a few monster blister souvenirs...no wonder my feet were hurting!! My legs and knees were super sore, but overall I felt great!

I can now say that I ran 13.1 miles straight without stopping. I ran it in 2:39. I got some heavy bling, a beach towel, a patch and a lifetime full of memories....I cannot wait until the next race!!

Completed at last!

Well, I finished...it was really tough, but I did it...I'm trying to soak in everything at the moment and will have a detailed report about my trip down the Indian River tomorrow. Right now, I'm thankful I can still walk (with a little limp though). :-) More information to come soon!

It...is...here

Right now I have a lot of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I can't I believe I'm up at 3-something in the morning and I can't believe I'm about to embark on my first 13.1. I'm signed up for my pace team at the expo; it's the slowest pace for the half, but I think it'll keep me on track and push me to finish at a steady pace.

I don't know what will happen when I cross the finish line. I'm kinda nervous about that too. It's like graduation day. I have fought so hard to get here. And now it is here.

It's almost here!

I can't believe in a little over 24 hours I'll be lining up for my first half marathon...It's crazy! I need to get to bed but I'm too excited to sleep. We are leaving for Kennedy Space Center early in the morning to pick up my race packet and to watch the Atlas V rocket launch. Then, some relaxation for the rest of the day. I'll be taking lots of pictures to share. :-) About to make some hot tea...maybe that'll relax the nerves!

Confession Time

It's confession time...I'm sitting here watching a movie on Netflix wearing my 26/28 pair of workout pants and the 3X t-shirt I wore for my first walk circa February 2009. Why am I keeping clothes that are 20 sizes too big for me? Well, they are sooo comfortable and for at least the t-shirt, it's sentimental. In fact, I have kept every race/walk shirt since starting. Each one is like a trophy, proof that I made it. I'm not sure what I'll do with them--maybe make a quilt eventually. In the meantime, I'm going to wear my comfy 3X shirt and enjoy it. :-)

2 weeks...

Several weeks ago I came to terms with the end of my weight loss journey. And now I'm only 2 weeks away from completing another milestone...finishing my first half marathon. I'm nervous, excited, sad and happy. I'm wondering how I'm going to feel as I line up with my pace team at the start. I'm wondering what I'll be thinking about during the race. If I make it to the finish line, what will I do? Will I collapse? Will I be crying? Screaming? Doing a zumba shuffle?

I'm nervous and excited because it's been a llllooooonnng time coming. Two freakin' years....I don't want to disappoint myself and everyone else. I'm sad because this is yet another end and I'm happy because this ending is another fresh beginning.

I just have a lot of thoughts swirling around right now. If the 10-mile race was any indication, after the gun fired, I felt this overwhelming peace embrace me. I hope the same thing happens on 11.27!