I am a marathongirl. I am in the 1% club.

After months and months of seriously blood, sweat, tears, no breathing, sleepless nights, healthy foods to sugar comas, awe-inspiring runs to questioning if I will ever put on running shoes again: I completed the runners ultimate victory:  a marathon.

I woke up at bright and early 5am, wrote this saying on my arm, got dressed, and got in the car with 3 strangers that so graciously picked me up at MC to give me a lift to the start line.  Already a great start to the day.

 

One of my new found close friends, Renee', was doing her first 1/2 marathon, so we spent all week freaking out together, questioning if we could do it, and spent the night before being pissed that we weren't sleeping.  So-we had to do before and after pics.  Here is the before. The fear is set before us.

Then gun went off and thousands upon thousands of runners began to embark on the Jackson-metro area.  My pace is always slow starting off the first 5 or 6 miles, so it was of-course a little worrisome, but I told myself-5 hours is acceptable, and 4:45 is like a miracle goal if you will.  

So-I just enjoyed the view the first 7 miles or so and went at my own pace.  Got to the see sun rise while listening to some Passion music.  At this point I knew the Lord had great plans for my race, but I had no idea just how amazing He was going to be.  Seriously.

This is the route we ran; we made it all the way up to Canton, through Fonderen, little towns in Jackson, and all in-between.

The first half was easy, which is good since I had another one ahead of me!  At this point I am running with some guy, and we catch up to a pace group, and little did I know it was the 4:30 pace group!!!! I had been tracking 9:30 miles the past few miles and I had no idea; Jackson hills and all!  So I hung with them for a few miles, and then decided I could go faster, so I took the risk and went for it.

 I had SUCH wonderful friends to come see me at mile 23 with signs, screams of encouragement, and just to see their faces was a boost to the finish.  My dad met me at mile 20 for pic's also.  It was my boost to 23 for sure.  I got texts ALL along the way from SOOOO many friends, and to that I am endlessly thankful for the support and belief from my friends.  This is me at mile 25, almost ready to cross the finish.  AH!

I finished in 4:23:33.  The clock was a little off.  At mile 24 I was talking to this guy who had run 5 or 6 marathons, and he was saying that he was hoping to sub 4:30. I fully began to realize I was going to sub 4:30 on my first marathon!  I began to be a little emotional over this, and ran even faster!  Turning that corner, and seeing the line of people cheering me on, and knowing my friends where there was one of the single best moments of my life.  This picture my dad got of me screaming to my friends on the sideline, "I JUST RAN A FREAKING MARATHON!".  It embodies my emotions as closely as a picture can get.  I made it larger so you can see my excitement AFTER 26.2 miles.  What. Up.

Renee' finished her first 1/2 marathon obviously, and I finished my first marathon, and we both live to tell about it!  If I could tell you how convinced I am that I am a living miracle, I would.  I can hardly believe this kid one year ago was struggling to run half a mile.  This kid kid 6 months ago picked a triathlon that had less running, because that is how much I hated it.  This kid was convinced my body was not able to complete a marathon.  This kid has an amazing Savior, Jesus, to prove everything wrong by human standards.  Jesus gave my body something called adrenaline to power through, and not experience the pain until I was done racing.  (lemme tell you though it HIT..HARD..ugh.)

I could hardly believe I never hit the wall; when was passing mile 20 and realizing so many people were walking, I realized they were 'hitting the wall', so I began to mentally prepare myself for it, and by the time I hit 24 and was still trekking, I realized I didn't hit the wall, but CRUSHED it.  It was an awesome feeling knowing I didn't stop to walk ONCE. No bathroom breaks, no tears from pain.  The Lord seriously provided. So, I am thrilled to have it accomplished, and I can't WAIT for rock n roll in NOLA, with a new time goal of 4:15. I know it will be just as fun, if not more fun with ALL my marathon friends there running the same race with me!

I loved all the people I met in the race.  I realized runners are a special type of people.  We have such great conversations in 10 minutes, and feel no offense if the other one speeds up/slows down.  We don't have to use words to know that you are running with someone for a few miles for fun.  We can say a book of how thankful we are in just a head nod.  As I was starting the race, this one guy told me I am about to join the '1% club', because 1% of people finish a marathon.  And I stand here today a member.