Certifiably Crazy

Last April my sister suggested I sign up for a race. I had just graduated with my MBA but hadn’t lined up a full time job yet and my social life was pretty stagnant with no real dating possibilities at the time. Though I had never run a race before or even run at all, I signed up for a half marathon. I figured why start small. :)

Looking back, starting big like that was a good move for me. I set up a training schedule which helped me pace myself as I tackled a huge project. Being able to break my running into small parts helped me believe I could actually accomplish this goal. Also, I needed a distraction and running provided that emotional outlet.

My journey encountered many hurdles. Four weeks in to my training and one month before the half, I got sick. Both times felt like a huge setback but each time I found a way to keep going. At one point I was ready to give up. My sister, who convinced me to run the half in the first place, inspired me with these words: "It isn’t a race. It’s a run." I expected myself to accomplish a competitive runner’s pace and time. But the goal was not to take first place. The goal was to finish the run. Do something I had never done before.

With that new mindset, I approached my workouts with a renewed mental determination. I still remember the first time I ran three miles without stopping. Such a feeling of triumph surged through my body. After that run, I finally felt like I could achieve this goal. Before then, I only felt failure. Three miles became four then five and so on and so on. The week before the race I was able to run ten miles!

The night before and the morning of the race were horrible! I drove home from Park City later than I had planned and was so worked up about the race, I didn’t sleep well. All night long I kept waking up and checking the clock because I was afraid of missing the race. Gratefully I did make it on time. I started the half with my sister and my niece, but those two were in much better shape than I was and quickly surged ahead. The first half of the race I enjoyed the scenery, kept my pace, and remembered scriptures about enduring to the end.

All was well until I hit mile eight. I felt my body shutting down. I pushed forward hitting mile nine and somehow making it to mile ten. Then came the breaking point. A long hill stood in front of me, my muscles cramped up, and I couldn’t make my legs move any faster. As I walked hoping the cramping would subside, I said a prayer. I expressed gratitude for the help I had received to that point and shared my desire to finish the half running. I needed help and knew the Lord could help me. I don’t know what possessed me, but I remember asking, “Will you help me finish running this race?” I ended my prayer and began running.

The next two miles weren’t easy but I made it! However, somehow seeing that last long mile stretch in front of me, I began to doubt and became disheartened. Even though I had run twelve miles, I didn’t know how I was going to finish that last one. But I had asked the Lord for help and help came. A lady ran up next to me, grabbed my arm, and started running with me. I didn’t know this woman and with half a mile left she let go and I lost sight of her, but she helped me find the determination to keep going. Sometimes we all need someone to help us and “run” with us during the difficult times of life. (Btw, this whole experience has metaphors for life laden throughout it.) She was my tender mercy during that last mile.

Finally, I saw the finish line. A surge of adrenaline rushed through my body and I felt energized! Seeing my family and the time clock renewed my strength and I rushed forward. I thought I was at the three hour mark. Instead I finished around two hours and seven minutes! Somehow I had kept a 9:45 mile average pace. In all my training, I had never quite hit that mark. I was thrilled! My body ached and my mind was thrashed, but I finished!

Since that time, I haven’t been that consistent with exercising. However, something stirred within me and I wanted to feel that sense of accomplishment and drive once again. I liked the idea of tackling another half marathon and am officially signed up for the Salt Lake Half-Marathon in April. I’ve planned out my workout routine and am geared up to improve my time. So though I feel a bit crazy at times for signing up for another half marathon, I am mostly excited and determined.