I Can Do All Things...

On Sunday, November 3, I completed my very first half marathon at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX - a goal I had made earlier this year.  At the time the goal was far fetched but I knew with dedication and proper training I could achieve it. (You can catch my full running story here.) Running became the norm every week and eventually it became more than something "I had to do" - it became my stress reliever, my time to think, pray and connect myself with God, nature, and myself.  I loved running at White Rock Lake during sunset.  The reflection of the sun setting on the lake was gorgeous.  It was so calming and beautiful. When my children started school in August my running took the back burner and I could tell it affected me physically and mentally.  I lost my time away with nature, with silence and my thoughts.  I began to lose confidence that I would be able to achieve my goal of completing the half marathon.  I began to stress and that didn't help.  My friends who are runners advised me that I would be able to do it, but even with their words of wisdom and encouragement, I still doubted myself.  As the event date approached, I had every arrow pointing to God and trusting that He would give me the strength to persevere, and that is exactly what happened.  I had several supporters including my husband who was also completing the half with me, friends, my sisters from Flavour, my family and of course the number one man in my life (God). 

On the morning of the half marathon, I woke up at 3:58 AM and I could NOT go back to sleep.  The nerves must have kicked in during my sleep. There I was wide awake, thinking today is the day I have been anticipating for.  So much for going back to sleep, I laid there, turned on the T.V. and watched an episode of “Regular Show”. 

Surprisingly, as we approached the Start point, the nerves seemed to disappear.  Chris and I met up with friends and got ready to begin and just like that it was Go Time!  The first miles came and went and as we approached the 4 mile mark, there they were - my sister in law, brother in law and niece with a big giant sign.  

I was not expecting this so of course, being the big sensitive baby that I am, I had my eyes fill up with tears. Seeing them was such a big boost of love and support. Chris and I both ran 8 miles without stopping – an accomplishment on its own, because that had NEVER happened before for either one of us.  My body always requested a break at least by mile 4 or 5.  By mile 9, there they were again, with another sign.  

I saw the sign from a distance and when I realized it was them, my eyes filled up with tears again.  From mile 9 and on, things took a turn because I could feel my body reaching its point of depletion.   What I kept repeating in my head was “I can do all things, I can do all things, I can do all things”…….. over and over.  At the 11 mile mark, I really felt the pain in my legs and inability to keep going.  The most I had ever run in my entire running journey was 10 miles.  There I was with 11 miles behind me, feeling defeated because I constantly had to stop and walk.  And then, just then, our little angels appeared once again with the best sign ever.

This one really made me want to cry.  It was the perfect message at the perfect time.  I would love to say that I ended up running the last two miles like a beast, but that is so far from the truth.  It was PAINFUL!  I continued to take breaks and I was starting to get frustrated because I kept thinking I’m so close and my body doesn’t want to keep going.  Luckily, I had my biggest supporter, my husband by my side.  He kept me going, he helped me tackle those hills and he stayed with me throughout the entire 13.1 miles.

And so, two hours and forty three minutes passed and we found ourselves at the finish line.  Wow!  I still can’t believe it. 

Thank you to Rita, Sammy and Briana for being our great supporters on our race day.  Thank you for the motivating signs and for your support in the cold weather.  It meant so much.