From 0 to 26.2

I FINISHED, or should I say WE finished!  

It's been a week since I crossed the finish line and I finally have some time to sit and put it into words.  This will be a no picture post, I am working on putting the pictures into a video to share which I already titled: A Journey from 0 to 26.2!

A week ago Friday we packed up and headed out on our way to Chattanooga.  Before we left I grabbed my Lovenox shot and debated for a moment why I didn't pick a marathon less than four hours away, but that faded, I jabbed the shot in my stomach and got in the car.  One thing that scared me is that the Lovenox shots make me dizzy and give me a horrible headache for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, it was 2:00 pm on Friday.

We arrived in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia to an amazing house 600 feet from the start line of the race.  The entire family was staying in this historic house that used to be the band barracks in the war.  It was awesome.  After dinner and some chatting I headed to bed.  Not a lot of sleep to be had but enough.  At about 2:30 am I was awakened by my niece yelling for her mom and realized my headache was gone, Praise the Lord!

6:30 am Saturday morning, I was up and getting ready.  It was awesome because we would usually be headed to the parking lot, but this time we were taking our time since we were walking to the race!  I kissed the hubs and Will and headed that way with enough GU for the trip!

The cannon went off and off we went.  I ran with my mom for about 6 miles until the half marathoners took a turn and went on my way.  Mile 6 to 13 were horrible, I wanted to quit but figured it was fear and kept running.  At 14 my legs found themselves and I felt great.  I passed the 15.5 mile mark where I DNF'd in 2008 and thanked God for strength to press on.  Miles came and went and it was awesome.  

22.5 miles, where did that wall come from? I hit it and kept plugging!  God blessed me with the peace to find my groove, I got into the music and ran ahead.  At 25.5 I saw my dad waiting, I was literally dancing to Lady Gaga I was so excited I was almost there!  

Right at about 26 miles you round the turn to head down the hill to the finish line.  That is when I saw him, Will came running up the road to dad and I.  He jumped in my arms and ran the rest of the way with me.  I was holding back the tears only because I still needed to breathe!

We ran by my family and my sister's great friends and through the finish line!  26.2 miles done!  On March 22nd, 2010 I couldn't run 2 feet, on November 10th, 2012 I ran 26.2 miles.  I am not embarrassed by my time, it took me 5 hours and 15 minutes, by far my slowest but more importantly my most meaningful 26.2 miles ever.  God is good!

Hebrews 12:1 "....let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross..."