No big deal, just running a HALF MARATHON next month...and other big things

So...yeah. I guess I have been running a bit lately

Let's start by saying that I am one of the least naturally athletic people I know, and I have historically said that runners are crazy. I did Couch to 5K with my neighbor for a couple months last summer just so we could laugh, talk, [and mostly walk] through the Portland Color Run.

One of my BFF's started C25K around the same time I did, but she stuck with it. As the months went on, I saw her become a real, dedicated, legit runner through Instagram and Nike+ app postings. I "watched" her tackle some long runs and the health and happiness that she exuded was apparent. In January I decided to bring the BOB Duallie back out and jumped right into some 2-3 mile runs. I had been doing Zumba classes 2-3 times a week, so I think I was fairly conditioned. I kept with it and ran consistently 3-4 times a week. Suddenly one day I ran 4 miles; something I have never done before. I felt so empowered by that, so I signed up for the Bridge to Brews-Portland10K. Three of my cherished friends from high school had tried talking me into running a half marathon in May, but I said that was just cray. Zee. Crazy.

Fast forward to Sunday- April 7th, 2013.

This girl...this girl right here; the never-could-be-a-runner girl; ran 6.2 miles in 1 hour and 5 minutes. (About 10:30min/mile). Now that pace is surely nothing to write home about, but what is amazing is that:
1) I ran the whole thing without stopping to walk once
2) I didn't pee myself or have to stop to pee (Lets be real. I've had 2 kids.)
3) I enjoyed myself the whole time; chatting with other racers and cheering on the mamas who actually pushed their jogging strollers during the race
4) I felt so jazzed and energized at the end that I was smiling and ready for my beer at the end (when I ran my 5K Shamrock run in 2011, I was so exhausted at the end that I passed on the celebratory green beer).

Running across the Fremont Bridge and all through downtown Portland on a Sunday morning with a few thousand other runners was such an amazing experience. The first mile was the hardest (mostly uphill), and the last half mile was pretty tiring since I was pushing myself at the end. I heard my name and time called out as I sprinted across the finish line and it made me want to cry. I did it. I just accomplished something big.

 

The whole thing made me decide to go ahead and sign up for that half marathon. Yep, all 13-point-something miles of it. If I could smile my way through 6.2 miles and chug a beer at the end, surely I could make 13. Even if I feel like I want to die at the end; even if I have to stop and walk a couple times to make it through; even if it takes me 3 hours to finish; I'm going to do it. And I seriously can't wait for that feeling when I cross the finish line because this has already required much more intensive training (um...hi 9 mile run before church yesterday...I was not smiling through that one.)

 

I think the finish will be even more emotional since the Boston Marathon tragedy on 4/16.  Not only will I be accomplishing the goal of running such a long distance, but I am also crushing my fears and anxiety about such a tragedy happening to me. After our family's near-miss of the Clackamas Town Center shooting, I have learned what it truly means to rely on God. In this world, there are sooo many things to fear and be anxious about, but day by day I am learning to let it go. There is a song that plays in my head over and over,

 

"I will fear no evil-

For my God is with me.

If my God is with me,

Whom then shall I fear?

..Lord, You never let go of me."

 

[the song is called, "You Never Let Go", I believe, but it seems like a contemporary spin on Psalm 23].

 

So there you have it. That's just ONE of the big things going on with us right now. The next time I write, I will talk about the story of how Ross's current employer told him that he's awesome and everything, but he might not be working out in the position they hired him for. So, they might let him go. Are you curious to know what happens next? I am, too...