It was a foggy, freezing cold morning when Daniel, my mom, and I headed to the starting line of my very first half marathon last Saturday. It was still dark when I lined up with about 1,200 other runners and butterflies filled my stomach as an enthusiastic DJ updated us to how close we all were to “go time”. Looking over at the sidelines I gave quick, nervous waves to Daniel and my mom. Before I knew it we were counting down.. “Five, four, three, two, ONE!”

The start was a bit slow, but soon we were all moving in one great mass. Within the first half mile, there was a downward slope and the sky was getting lighter. I watched a river of people moving together hopeful and determined, ready to test their body, mind, and spirit. Realizing that I was running with them choked me up and I wiped away a few tears!

The first five miles were great! Then the hills started. Three miles of them. It wasn’t so much running as it was hiking at a quick pace! But soon I was out of the fog and looking at the valley below, the blanket of fog stretching out with a hill peaking out with a lone oak tree on top. It was beautiful! I wished so much that I had a camera with me!

The next couple miles were all down hill and I headed back into the fog. My knees were starting to bother me while walking my intervals, but running still felt good. By mile 10, I was all smiles! There were some amazing people cheering for strangers on the sidelines with all kinds of encouraging homemade signs and smiles.

My high spirits took a head dive around mile 11.5 when my knees started to ache. As each foot hit the pavement, sharp pain made my eyes tear. It wouldn’t let up, no matter how many walking intervals I took. It was at mile 12.5, when I was alternating between pathetic whimpers and sharp inhales in response to the pain, I saw a woman holding a sign. “Pain is temporary. Your race results will be on the internet forever”. That did it. I was determined to push through it, no matter what. I took a deep breath and picked up my pace.

When I saw the finish line, I was beyond relieved. I could feel emotions beginning to spill over and as I crossed the threshold, I started sobbing. (I saw a photo of myself at the finish and it was NOT pretty!) I had done it. I had run over epic hills and through thick fog. I had run from dark into daylight. My goal had been 2 hours and 30 mins, and I was thrilled to finish in 2:24:59.

I found my mom and Daniel and they were so proud and happy for me. Luckily by then, I was able to collect myself and find my excitement again. Daniel had made a sign just for me. It was the brightest and most awesome sign I’d seen in 13.1 miles!

It’s hard to believe I just started my journey back to running in April at the Mud Run 5k. It’s amazing to look back on how far I’ve come, now that I’m able to run for such a long stretch. I’m hoping I can work out the kinks and train for a marathon next fall! Gotta get that 26.2 before I reach my 30th birthday! =)

Until next race, I remain your lovable prospective adoptive mommy,

Christy

Have you ever been bombarded by fistfuls of cornstarch? I can now say that I have. And it was one of the most wonderful and joyous experiences I’ve had!

Ok, ok. I will explain. Saturday I joined a bunch of friends for another 5k. No matter how dull you come, you leave as colorful as an egg on Easter morning because throughout the race, volunteers launch handfuls of colored cornstarch at runners. Each station has it’s own color: purple, green, pink, yellow, and blue. The result: a party where everyone is sporting awesome tie dye looking shirts, legs, arms, and face!

Race time: 31min 44 sec

We all crammed at the starting line in our perfectly white t shirts, eager to get them colorful as quickly as we could. It was beautiful to see the clouds of color lingering in the air and made you push harder to get there. I did little moves to make sure as I passed each station that my shirt was getting attention from every angle.

Best parts of the day:
3: High-fiving people after the U-turns and encouraging them to “Go Get It!!!”.
2: Basking in the smiles on my friends’ brightly colored faces.
1: Seeing Daniel at the finish line, looking proud of his sweaty, colorful, crazy wife.

Training for this race was great. I’ve logged more miles and pushed myself farther than I thought I could go. My outlook (not to mention my body) is changing for the better each day.

What’s next for this runner? My 10k (6.2 miles) this coming Saturday. No colored cornstarch was mentioned, but you bet I’m going to bring the RAD! =)

-Christy

Running has been a part of my life since my first mile run in 5th grade. I still run on a regular basis on my own or with Doozer, our dog, but I never attempted any formal “races”. That is, until this past Saturday. =)

A bunch of girls from church got the crazy idea that a Mud Run would be just the thing to get us going and have a little fun. The idea of getting all muddy was SUPER appealing to me. =)

The morning of the event, I was filled with nervous energy. I wondered if I had prepared enough. Would I be able to hack it? I was about to attempt a 5k run that promised 16 muddy obstacles, just to keep things interesting.

As we counted down to the start, excitement replaced fear and I was determined to enjoy whatever came. The first obstacle I was down on my hands and knees in a wide muddy trench, smiling and laughing even when finding dirt splashing into my mouth. lol

Though I wasn’t as quick as most of our group, one of my amazing friends, Rachel, hung back with me and she kept me laughing and smiling throughout the race.

The mud was surprisingly refreshing as the day heated up. Even though the obstacles were a little more challenging than I expected, the running actually ended up not being as difficult.

There was mud everywhere, in my nose, my mouth, soaking my clothes, caking my shoes, slathering my hair. But it was glorious!

It was such an amazing moment to cross the finish line and to know that behind me lay 3.47 miles of land and some majorly crazy obstacles.

It was a bit of madness, but I’m already wondering when the next race will be! I loved it!

-Christy