Saturday, March 13, 2010

Redefining Normal

IMG_9610_picnik

Last weekend was an amazing weekend. Running (mostly) the half marathon is something that has changed me (sorry to sound superficial). A year ago, I couldn’t run for two three five minutes. When I signed up to the Disney Princess Half Marathon, I didn’t realize how much work and commitment I’d have to put into making that goal a reality.

But I did it!

Plus, I got to meet some amazing people. I’m already planning to sign up for next year’s run.

The morning of the race, I got out of bed before the alarm went rang out. I hadn’t slept much and my stomach was in knots.

Nerves? Why now? I wasn’t aiming to compete against any hard core athletes. I just wanted to finish the 13.1 miles in a somewhat decent time.

I tried to eat breakfast but it just wouldn’t go down. So, I got dressed and went on down to the lobby to meet Krystyn and get on the bus to the line up. It took 20 minutes to find my friend, Page (which is a real miracle as we had no cell phones and it was crowded).

It was COLD. The number of people were incomprehensible. There were thousands and thousands of women there. Thousands willing to get up at two something to go stand in the cold so they could run 13.1 miles.

My muscles began to tense and ache while standing in the cold. Still, the excitement warmed my heart. Finally, the last corral was walked to the start line and we were off… running and cheering each other on.

All in all, things went well during the run. Except that my back and side began hurting. And I started getting winded.

“Obviously, I need to focus on more hills in my training,” I thought. Little did I know.

The entertainment was top-notch and inspired me to keep plugging along though I think someone was out to do us in with those awful gel packets because you can’t spit that crap out!

I was never so excited to see a finish line in my life!

My husband and I spent the day with Page and her husband in Epcot. You could say we ate and drank our way around the world.

By the end of the night, I was hacking and barking the most awful cough. In a fevered haze, I knew I was going down with a real kicker.

Three doctor visits and 9 medicines later, I am happy to announce I’M ALIVE (even if I still have a little bit of a barky cough)!

In a few more days, I’ll be ready to lace up those running shoes, again. For so long, I’ve been trying to feel like a runner. I think I’m almost there.

28 comments:

Jaime said...

hope you're feeling better soon. congrats on finishing the half marathon. my dad always jokes about how grandmas finish before him but any day you finish the race the same day you start was a good one.

Cheryl Cato said...

I think you've become a runner... no "almost there" to even consider. Congratulations! Now, I hope you are better; that was not a fun way to end such a great event in your life! Congrats again!

gayle said...

Congrats on finishing the race!! Get well soon!!

Herding Cats said...

I think you already ARE a runner! Awesome job! Congrats, and feel better!

Kristina P. said...

You are my hero! Congrats!

sAm said...

Congratulations!! I was thinking about you this morning and wondering how you did - I'm glad to hear you had a great time. Bummer about the illness, though.

Rosaria Williams said...

You are already a runner. With your tenacity and training regiment you will get better and better. Congratulations!

Brian Miller said...

congratulations! you finished...glad you are feeling better as well. big smiles!

Fragrant Liar said...

Congratulations! Woo-hoo! You did it!

Sorry you came down with the crud, but what a fabulous achievement for you!

Sue said...

You need to "feel" like a runner because you already are one! Serioulsy, props to you and congrat's. It is so awesome to me when people set goals for themselves. Not for what others think, but for themselves. Congrat's!
Take care, Sue

cheatymoon said...

You ARE a runner! Take care of that cough. I hope the medicines have worked their magic. Wish you could post photos... sounds magical.

:-)

Matty said...

Going from not being able to run barely at all, to doing a half-marathon is a testament to your hard work and dedication. My hat is off to you. Congratulations on a job well done!!

Cristin said...

I'm in AWE. I am NOT a runner, or jogger, or even fast walker... AWE I say.

Yay You!

And get better ok?

Unknown said...

Wow. You did SO great. Way to go. I think you are a real runner for sure. A half marathon. That is AWESOME!

Pseudo said...

I'm with Cristin. Total awe. I have been walking forever and may never graduate to running.

Wooooooo Hoooooooo Beth!

Jana said...

Hi good for you that you finished the race. Congrats. It all makes it worth it, doesn't it? Hope you feel better soon.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Seriously now - I bow to you and your accomplishment. I've never been able to run, except for short distances on a treadmill. Bravo! Mega Cudos! Applause and Confetti!

And because it's you and I know it took a lot of effort to prepare and then to combat subsequent bronchimonia, bring in the marching band!!

Linda said...

Running when you feel like crap so you could finish the half means you ARE a runner! Congrats! I hope you give yourself some down time before starting again--let those legs and lungs feel better!

P.S. I love reading your blog!!

Linda said...

Running when you feel like crap so you could finish the half means you ARE a runner! Congrats! I hope you give yourself some down time before starting again--let those legs and lungs feel better!

P.S. I love reading your blog!!

CiCi said...

I am just so proud of you I can't stand it! You have gumption and determination and you accomplished something I could never in a million years do. Let me shake your hand. You are someone I admire immensely. Seriously. YOU DID IT and you should accept the kudos and drink it in. You deserve it.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous goal achieved. I'm still working up to 5 miles but the boredom kills me.

I'll do a lowly 5K this summer.

Keep up the great work!

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

Congratulations; that is an amazing accomplishment!!
And take care of yourself.

My Mercurial Nature said...

What an experience to finish a half-marathon! I haven't been brave enough to enter a race thus far...the thought itself gives me jitters. You're a runner...accept it! :-)

*krystyn* said...

Oh it was so fun and I felt like I was reliving it as I read your post!! Can we go back in time one week please?

I guess I'm the only one of us who liked those gel packs - the strawberry was good! That's the only one I had and it came JUST IN TIME...I was SO hungry by mile 8!!!

I had no idea you were feeling so nervous that morning or that your stomach was in knots...you hide it well!!

I'm glad to hear that you are doing better!!

Looking forward to running with you again!!!!

Megan said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! It really is life changing isn't it! I was just talking about that to a friend today! I'm so happy for you!

As for the gel packets...they're tough to get used to, but once you do you can suck 'em down and keep on going. I train with them, which makes it a whole lot easier to use during races.

Who knows maybe a marathon is in your future. It's not to late to enter the NYC lottery. You have until tonight to do it....

Just B said...

Way to go, Beth!!! Running cures everything--even the ailments it causes ( :

So sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, but loved the fact that she was blissfully unaware of how it was all going to end. Thoughts are with your family...

Michel said...

Congrats Beth! That is a huge accomplishment. You should be very proud of yourself. I am! (of you, not me. I haven't done jack crap.)

Mandy P said...

What?! This is such a small freakin world...my husband's cousin ran the Disney Half Marathon. Congrats! What a HUGE accomplishment!! =)