He Met Me at the Finish Line!

We did it again!  Chad and I both completed a half-marathon on April 28th in Champaign, IL.  He did well; I did horrible.  After being with my husband, Roger, for a week in the hospital in St. Louis, I thought the run would clear my head.  It did, somewhat---and it discouraged me a bit. 

Chad and I were just barely able to get out of the porta-potties in time to get to the start.  I'll never forget Chad's hug and, "I'll see you at the finish line!"

(Preface to the race narrative:  I didn't train well, I put on weight, and I didn't eat well)
I began ok, trying to keep the man who was SPEEDWALKING the marathon right in front of me!  When I lost ground and lost him, I knew it was going to be a long race. 

At about mile 7 I had to walk a little.  If you know anything about me, if I ever walk in a race, I'm mentally done.  I just can't get back in the frame of mind to run the rest of it.  That began my cycle of run, walk, run, walk, walk, run....well, you get the picture.   My left bunion hurt, my legs were tired, I was dizzy....those are my excuses!

Eventually the finish line came in view!  I ran as fast as my tired legs would go into the stadium at the U of I.  Chad found me, hugged me, and I clung to him for dear life.  I was sooooooooooo light headed.  But I FINISHED!

Fast forward to a week later. 

• Chad ran a 25k race--I ran nothing.
• The next week I ran 3 miles for 4 days and felt pretty good.
• Then last Saturday, Chad ran 12 miles! 

I told someone at church that I was bummed out that Chad was ahead of me in training already, and he said, "But don't forget, you are a little ahead of him in age.  Take your time!"

That put things in perspective.

BOTTOM LINE:  I finished the race.  I didn't think I could, but I did.  I kept on keeping on.  I was determined.

And you know what?  I am going to keep on running.