the little jogger that could

"i think i can, i think i can, i think i can....." That was a mantra this past Saturday at the Charlotte Racefest Half Marathon. I'd put in the hours and miles over 12 weeks of training to prepare for my first half-marathon, but there was still this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach....what was I doing? Why on earth did I think I'd be able to run 13.1 miles?!?!

I lined up with my pace group and tried to settle my nerves before the start. Then, before I knew it, the gun went off and everyone starting running and jockeying for position. I had my Ipod ready, but quickly realized that listening to Luda would end with me being trampled within 200 yards of the start line.

So I settled in for the run. I'm not sure if it was adrenaline, trying to not get tripped by other runners or dodging traffic, but the first 4 miles went by in a flash. Then I heard someone cheering for me and calling my name. Josh and Jack (my friend Julia's husband) were right beside me the Jack's car. It was so unexpected---I nearly tripped and cried. Josh hooted and hollared in classic Josh style and then left me to finish the race (much to the delight of the 2398742389 cars behind him!)

Then I hit mile 6 and the hills started. I reminded myself that this is what I trained for. Lindsay had scared me about the hilly terrain. I settled in the next few miles of steep and rolling roads. I got passed but also passed a few people myself. I was about to pat myself on the back, because I thought I was doing such a good job......then I remembered that while I was still at mile 9, tons of runners had already crossed the finish line. As I was about to start throwing a little pity-party for myself I saw a toy poodle. I laughed really hard (I think a little snot might have come out.) Toy poodles are the most ridiculous animal. Seriously. Name a more ridiculous animal.

I was rounding a corner in a beautiful SouthPark neighborhood. And then it hit me. What mile were we on? I'd been so busy laughing at the poodle that I couldn't remember if we were on mile 11 or 12! I must have look horrified, because a concerned runner looked at me and smiled, "hey, the finish is just around the corner--smile for the cameras!"

Seriously? It was over? Really? I wanted to jump up and down, sprint for the finish, cry, laugh, maybe even puke a little.

I decided to savor the moment. I thanked the Lord for his goodness to me; for keeping me safe and injury free, for carrying me to the finish, for giving me such a beautiful day, for giving me such good friends to train with....for so many things. And then I put on a little Shane and Shane and settled in the big finish:

When I think about the Lord

How He saved me, how He raised me

How He filled me up with the Holy Ghost

How He healed me to the uttermost

When I think about the Lord

How He picked me up and turned me around

And set my feet on solid ground

It makes me wanna shout hallelujah

Thank you Jesus

Lord You're worthy of all the glory

All the honor and

All the praise

You need good friends to train with. Its more important than shoes or playlists.
Lindsay is my hero!

Lindsay is training for a half-IronMan and her boyfriend Adam (on the right) is training for an IronMan. They are the most insanely active couple I know. After the half-marathon they went back home and went on a training bike ride!