3 weeks before my training was to end I quit doing my long mile days. I didn't want to take one more step. Training for a half marathon was the most time demanding thing I have ever done. The days that I was supposed to strength train I was super exhausted from the run the day before. I have never been the person to just get up and run 10 miles...Skip to...
Washington DC- The day I got there I cussed out a metro assistant. She was rude and was had no knowledge of how the metro system even worked. I immediately embarrassed myself, but I was so mad I was about to cry. We went to Georgetown to pick up my packet and I was pleasantly surprised to discover there was a huge wall that had all the runners names on it...I eagerly found mine. Seriously it's one of those moments you will never forget. My name was on a wall!! Everything went smooth at packet pickup and I absolutely did some shopping. Don't think for a second I didn't stop at sprinkles cupcakes! Afterwards we went to the hotel and ordered some pizza...WHAT?? We were sooo tired. Our view was amazing. We had the Washington monument and the Washington nationals stadium in our window. Second day we walked the .80 miles to the state capital and from there walked all the way to Arlington cemetery to see the changing of the guards. It was AMAZING. That night we went to a big fancy dinner and prepared to get up early. Saturday my family drove up from Philly. The treated us to a Nationals game (which I admit was fantastic) and Dinner. It was so phenomenal to see my family that I had not seen in 9 years. They were different but exactly the same. It made me realize how much I miss them and want them in my life on a regular basis....THEN....
RACE DAY. We got up super early to get on the Metro. When we got there it was overwhelming seeing all the runners and spectators. There was a good 20,000 people in one area. Ray was so supportive and kept saying how proud he was of me. It made me feel like I could do it. What was even more amazing was all the support I had from my friends. I dedicated each mile to someone special and those people were sure to cheer me on during the race. I even had a few friends use the tracking stuff to see where I was at so they could keep up with me. The race was rough. I had to pee twice which took 30-40 minutes. My hips started hurting and at about mile 7 I had to start stopping about every mile to stretch. It hurt less to run then walk. When I was getting close to the finish line I started to get emotional and the moment I saw ray I lost it. I knew I had done it. I crossed the finish line and received my tiffany necklace from a hunky man in a tuxedo. Ray got me a special finishers shirt which I was immediately in love with. Out of the hundreds of husbands in line...Ray was the first one. He must really love me. After the initial excitement the pain set in. It felt like someone had stabbed me in my spine and walked was excruciating. The rest of the trip was spent resting and we hit up Pain&Gain which I thought was awful.
Choosing to do that half marathon, training, and then accomplishing that goal is indescribable. I am filled with tears of happiness and although it was very hard..I would do it all over again in a heart beat.
When I got back my managers set up a surprise that..if you guessed made me cry you would be right!It was overwhelming to know that I had such an amazing support system and that people actually cared about an accomplishment that meant so much to me.
Some other accomplishments: I started selling advocare and within one pay period I became an advisor. I started the 24 day challenge and me and my group are crushing our goals. I started lifting...oh and I contracted poison oak. Every time my body gets hot everything itches like CRAZY so running and anything high intensity has been out of the question. I would not say contracting poison oak was an accomplishment but it has definitely been eventful. Oh I cannot forget the sizzle and spice running team. I helped create a running team for chili's Decatur. Researched races, got stuff together, designed shirts, and got sign ups. It is something that is near and dear to my heart and I am so excited to be apart of it.
So now that everyone is caught up it is time to get back to Duck Dynasty :) Did I mention I saw willie at the nationals game!!
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