21 years and 4 months ago, I was in a severe car crash that changed my life.
11 years ago I stopped using the brace and/or cane to help me walk everyday, instead I only use them on the bad days.
8 years and 2 months ago I signed up for a Learn to Run Clinic at my local Running Room.
1 year and 4 months ago I ran my first half marathon event.
2 months ago, my right glute muscle was finally strong enough that for the first time in 21 years, I was able to balance all my weight on my right leg, bend at the knee into a slight squat, & then lift back up without holding onto anything or anyone. It was shaky, but I did it.
1 month ago I ran a 30km race.
Today, September 23rd, 2012, with my friend Denise at my side, & our husbands at the finish, I became a Marathoner.
It has never been, nor will it ever, be easy.
It is always worth it.
There are only two words you need to remember, when faced with a challenge, no matter how big or small.
I WILL.
There are a lot of people I need to thank, but today, I just want to say.
I DID IT!
Showing posts with label pride. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pride. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Home Stretch
" The Home Stretch"
Those three little words imply so much.
With only 4 weeks to go until our marathon with Team in Training for the Leukemia & Lyphoma Society this is a phrase I find myself saying or thinking quite often.
At least once per long run I will look over at Jessica as we are nearing the end of our run, when I know it's getting particularly challenging or when we are both getting tired and say to her "We're in the home stretch". It's usually when we have about 6Km to go and I think mostly to myself that I need to say something to get us to the end. I used to think I was just doing it for Jess to be supportive and encouraging as she challenges each new length of distance that is new territory to her (I am amazingly proud of her) but now, I think it's a bit of a pep talk for me too.
Let's face it, marathon training is hard. It's tiring. It takes a toll on your body, your mind and your spirit. It demands more of you than any relationship and puts limits on everything you do. To say that it takes a committment is an understatement.
BUT -there's always a but.
At the end of the day, when all is said and done, when you have completed all 700+ training kilometers, running dreaded hill repeats, eaten countless gels, fought with your spouse or children for the umpteenth time about squeezing in your run, scrutinized every last detail of what goes in your mouth for 16weeks, made the journey to the race, toed the starting line, and pushed yourself along the race course getting to the point where you think you just can't go any further.............the home stretch is what gets you to the finish line and your victory over what some see as nearly impossible and others never challenge.
So, as we near the end of our journey together Miss Jessica, at a time when it's getting the hardest to push through the miles and the tiredness I just wanted you to know..........we're in the home stretch :)
D.
Those three little words imply so much.
- only a bit more to go
- we're almost there
- you just need to keep your head on a bit further.
- we are going to make it.
With only 4 weeks to go until our marathon with Team in Training for the Leukemia & Lyphoma Society this is a phrase I find myself saying or thinking quite often.
At least once per long run I will look over at Jessica as we are nearing the end of our run, when I know it's getting particularly challenging or when we are both getting tired and say to her "We're in the home stretch". It's usually when we have about 6Km to go and I think mostly to myself that I need to say something to get us to the end. I used to think I was just doing it for Jess to be supportive and encouraging as she challenges each new length of distance that is new territory to her (I am amazingly proud of her) but now, I think it's a bit of a pep talk for me too.
Let's face it, marathon training is hard. It's tiring. It takes a toll on your body, your mind and your spirit. It demands more of you than any relationship and puts limits on everything you do. To say that it takes a committment is an understatement.
BUT -there's always a but.
At the end of the day, when all is said and done, when you have completed all 700+ training kilometers, running dreaded hill repeats, eaten countless gels, fought with your spouse or children for the umpteenth time about squeezing in your run, scrutinized every last detail of what goes in your mouth for 16weeks, made the journey to the race, toed the starting line, and pushed yourself along the race course getting to the point where you think you just can't go any further.............the home stretch is what gets you to the finish line and your victory over what some see as nearly impossible and others never challenge.
So, as we near the end of our journey together Miss Jessica, at a time when it's getting the hardest to push through the miles and the tiredness I just wanted you to know..........we're in the home stretch :)
D.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Doing my Best
I knew going into this that it would be time-consuming. I don't think I truly understood, though.
It's easy to quantify. You look at the training schedules and predict with a fair amount of accuracy how much time a week you'll spend running, stretching, and rolling out the achy parts with a foam roller. You know you'll spend time, most likely after your weekly long run, sitting in an ice bath, reminding yourself through chattering teeth, that this is all worth it. (ice baths are a post for another day. Coles Notes: They suck; They work).
But I don't think you can really prepare yourself for it qualitatively. How suddenly, the simple decision to step up from training for and running half marathons to training for and running a marathon, changes everything.
I used to schedule my runs around my life. Now, I schedule my life around my runs. If, as Denise and I have chosen to do, you decide to raise money for charity, then more time is spent on fundraisers, seeking sponsorship, calling family and friends and asking for support. I wouldn't say that my family is suffering because of it. They are some of my biggest supporters. But the mom guilt! Oooof!
I keep wondering if this was the best time for me to decide to do this. I could have waited until the kids were older. I'm only 38, I hope I've got many more years of running in me! But, what if I don't? It's possible that one day my body will say "Look lady. I've had enough. I've done enough".
So of course I'm doing it now. Every fibre of my being is telling me that I HAVE to. I learned a long time ago that when all signs point to GO, then that's what you must do.
Don't get me wrong...I am loving, cherishing and embracing every moment of this journey. I know I am lucky to be able to do this.
I'm hoping that the time I'm spending away from these two adorable boys, is made up for with the lessons I hope they learn from watching me set goals, and work hard to achieve them.
From watching me raise money for a deserving charity.
From seeing that life isn't about BEING the best, it's about DOING your best.
So, for now, I will just go on doing my best. I know that when I cross the finish line on September 23rd, that I will be proud. I sure hope the kids will be too.
It's easy to quantify. You look at the training schedules and predict with a fair amount of accuracy how much time a week you'll spend running, stretching, and rolling out the achy parts with a foam roller. You know you'll spend time, most likely after your weekly long run, sitting in an ice bath, reminding yourself through chattering teeth, that this is all worth it. (ice baths are a post for another day. Coles Notes: They suck; They work).
But I don't think you can really prepare yourself for it qualitatively. How suddenly, the simple decision to step up from training for and running half marathons to training for and running a marathon, changes everything.
I used to schedule my runs around my life. Now, I schedule my life around my runs. If, as Denise and I have chosen to do, you decide to raise money for charity, then more time is spent on fundraisers, seeking sponsorship, calling family and friends and asking for support. I wouldn't say that my family is suffering because of it. They are some of my biggest supporters. But the mom guilt! Oooof!
I keep wondering if this was the best time for me to decide to do this. I could have waited until the kids were older. I'm only 38, I hope I've got many more years of running in me! But, what if I don't? It's possible that one day my body will say "Look lady. I've had enough. I've done enough".
So of course I'm doing it now. Every fibre of my being is telling me that I HAVE to. I learned a long time ago that when all signs point to GO, then that's what you must do.
Don't get me wrong...I am loving, cherishing and embracing every moment of this journey. I know I am lucky to be able to do this.
I'm hoping that the time I'm spending away from these two adorable boys, is made up for with the lessons I hope they learn from watching me set goals, and work hard to achieve them.
From watching me raise money for a deserving charity.
From seeing that life isn't about BEING the best, it's about DOING your best.
So, for now, I will just go on doing my best. I know that when I cross the finish line on September 23rd, that I will be proud. I sure hope the kids will be too.
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