A goal. An accomplishment. (By: Jess)

This post serves several different purposes.

 It also absolutely does not serve another purpose.

The purpose of this post is to do the following things:

1. Give myself a big ole' pat on the back 
2. Tell my children that anything is possible 
3. Share my relationship, experience, and progression with running

The purpose that I am not trying to serve is the following: 

1. Bragging. THAT I am not doing or trying to do. Don't get it twisted. 

Moving on…… 

I started running… or my version of running... in November 2012. I really don't know what jump started my interest in running or what provoked me to "just do it", but running is something I have always wanted to say I could do. 

"Im a runner" is something (for some reason) was something I always wanted to be able to say with confidence and truth. 

I was introduced to interval running by my friend and co-worker Denise. She picked up the habit about a year prior and seeing her grow as a runner and change mentally, physically, and emotionally really got my attention. 

I started talking to her about it and she shared what she knew and experienced. 

I downloaded a couple interval apps on my phone and started out SSSS-LLL-OOO-WWW. 

I would run 25 seconds, walk 10 min…. for 1 mile….for one week. 

The next week I did run 45 sec., walk 8 min……. for 2 miles….. for one week. 

The next week I did run 1 min, walk 7 min…….for 3 miles…… for one week. 

You get the picture…. 

I can still remember the time when I ran 1 mile without stopping! That was like 15 min straight, WITHOUT STOPPING! I feels incredible and soooo proud! I remember calling Toby and telling him and him saying "Good Job Babe!". I smiled alllllll day and the next! I knew that this was something I MIGHT be good at. 

I kept it up and worked hard! My goal was to run 3 days a week. I usually did it after school. It was tough some days, and cold some days, and hot some days, but I tried my best to make time for it and for myself. 

Eventually I was ready for MY FIRST 5K!

 It was held at the school where I worked and was the PERFECT race to be my first! Not over crowded, lots of people I knew, lots of motivation, good weather…… God did good that day! 

(2) things happened during that race. 

#1- I was SECONDS away from puking, inches away from the finish line! Mind over matter….mind over matter…..mind over matter….. 

 #2- I got 1st place in my age division!!!! (small crowd…. I'm gonna leave it at that! wink wink) 

THAT day. THAT race. Wow it made me feel good. Proud. Confident. Athletic. Healthy. Determined. Accomplished.  Things I have not felt in while. 

After that, I kept it up. Running when I could, doing a couple more 5k's. I made it a habit. I didn't quit. There were days/weeks when I slacked off or just didn't have it in me, but for the most part, I tried to keep a consistent 3 days a week routine. Sometimes only 1 mile but 3 was my max. 

Then Denise…. see above…. put a bug in my ear. 

Half Marathon

Tybee Island, GA

Feb. 2014

Ha! Double Ha! No way was she suggesting that I participate!?!?!

Yep….. she was.  She had some kind of faith in me that I wasn't sure I had in myself. 

Of course I shared this with my BFF, Maria, and convinced her to attempt to train for this thing with me. Her reaction was similar to mine at first. 

I told Denise I'd think about it. And I did. A lot. 

I don't remember when it happened… but suddenly I knew something. 

I knew I wanted to do this. 

I knew that I could do this. 

I knew I wanted to aim for this. 

I was in. 

Training started. 3 miles, then 4, then 5, then 6, then 7, then 8…… 

3 days a week (no less than 3 miles)

1 day a week long run. 

Do another 5K

Do a 10K

I learned so much about myself while training for this event. I learned that I am strong. I learned that when I put my mind to something, I refuse to let myself down. I learned that running does wonders for my attitude. I learned that exercise is seriously free medicine. I learned that running clothes make me feel good. I learned that when I didn't run I was grouchy, irritable, depressed, and discouraged.

Sometimes I ran outside (my favorite), sometimes I ran inside the galleria, sometimes I ran on the treadmill (gross), sometimes I did the elliptical.  Sometimes I wan with Lisa. Most of the time I ran alone. I ran on vacations. I ran on weekends. I ran in snow. I ran in SC summer heat. I am at tracks. I ran through towns. I ran at parks. I ran on trails. Always something. 

Let me tell you something…… I NEVER thought I'd be able to do this. NEVER. EVER. 

Let me tell you something else….. I have done it. I am doing it. 

Its an amazing feeling to pick a goal. A goal you never thought you could, would, or should ever do. A goal that you honestly have to work for. Change yourself for. Push for. Plan for. A goal that tests your strength, self worth, self confidence, self esteem, pride, self respect, dignity. A goal that may cause others to giggle when they hear of it. A goal that some think… ."yeah right". I goal that people think is all talk. 

Its amazing to pick a goal like this…. and accomplish it. Complete it. Reach it. Meet it. Overcome it. 

 On Saturday, February 2, 2014 I will be running in a half marathon. 13.3 miles. 

(pause for gasps and applause) 

I haven't done it yet. Today is a Wednesday. But I KNOW I will do it. In my mind, it's already done. I didn't do all this work for nothing. I did it for reason after reason after reason after reason.  No way in hell am I not going to complete this. 

(sidenote: if I DON'T complete this race, know that I either got injured or something really bad happened….) 

My kids won't be there to see me cross the finish line. Neither will any of my family or my husband. Dose that bother me… kinda…. but I understand.  I will have pictures. I will have this blog post. I will have a story to tell. 

Leo and Cece will one day know that I did something I never thought I'd, in a million years, be able to do. They will one day (hopefully) be really proud of their mom and maybe one day pick a goal like I did. My husband, friends, and family know the hard work, sweat, injuries, pain, and blisters I endured to complete this goal.  They know how important this is to me. So even if they can't physically be there to see me complete my mission, I know that they will be thinking about it all day until I call and say, "I DID IT!" 

It's amazing what I did. It really is. If you knew me as well as I know me, you would say the same thing. 

I am so proud of myself.