I did it!

I'm running in the pink shirt

Adam trying to carry both boys at the same time

Adam and Jim walking to the next spectator spot.

The start line

FINISHED!

I have always dreamed of being this great runner. I guess I equate being a good runner to being in great shape. My parents have run the half marathon in Indiana for as long as I can remember, and Christina started running it a few years ago. I have always thought "I'm going to do that one day." The past few years, I have said I would do it. I start training, and then something happens, and I quit shortly into the training. In July, I announced I would be running the 2010 half marathon. I started training six months early. I was able to run up to 2 miles without stopping, and it just got so hard. So in August, I quit again.

However, in September, Sherree forwarded me an e-mail from one of the girls at church inviting anyone to join a support group for the half marathon training. This girl, Jeni Barbush, also works with my sister. So I joined the group and began to train again.

My initial goal was to run the entire race under 2 hours and 45 minutes. I soon learned that I am an obese woman who is not at all a "runner". Running is so hard! So I announced that I was still going to do the half marathon, but I would run/walk the thing instead. This is a perfectly logical switch. However, Adam told me that he completely understands why I would switch to a run/walk rather than a run --- BUT, that needs to be the last thing I change. I quit at "small" things so easily when they get hard. I was starting to do it again.

He was right. I do always quit at the "small" stuff that requires sacrifice. So I became determined. This was no longer about running it in a certain time -- it was about showing Adam that I won't quit. I trained and trained, and cried and cried. This has been so hard for me. I get so much anxiety throughout the week knowing that on every Sunday, I'm going to have to do my "long run" consisting of 7, 8, or 9 miles, etc.

However, in early January, I realized something else. I wasn't doing it to show Adam I wouldn't quit -- I was doing it to show myself I wouldn't quit. I was so nervous and cried a lot before race day. But on January 17th, I showed up and I finished the PF Chang Half Marathon. My time was a slow 3 hours and 16 minutes -- but I finished. I ran most of the first 4 miles, and miserably walked most of the last 9 miles -- but I finished -- and I crossed the finish line running.

Throughout the race, I had friends & family sending e-mails and messages of support to me. My sisters and mom sent me text messages throughout the race as they tracked my progress. Adam, the boys, Sherree & Jim, showed up an hour before the race started and supported me throughout the entire race. Thank you all! I also have Jeni Barbush to thank. If she hadn't set up that support/accountability group -- I would have never finished.

On the way home from the race, Adam told me that he couldn't wait until next year because he felt like he could get to a few more spectator spots now that he knew how things worked. I gave him a nasty look and said, "Who do you plan on watching next year?" Not me!!!