It's More Than The Finish Line

It's Mother's Day today. It's 6 am and I'm sitting here with my coffee, toast, and peace and quiet (for a little bit anyways). I'm reflecting on yesterdays race, and how much I've changed as a runner and person over the past four years. I didn't realize it until running my second half marathon yesterday. I felt strong, calm, my breathing was even the whole race, and I didn't stop at all in the 13.1 miles. I still don't believe it and how well the whole race went. 

The night before the race I had stayed at my Mom and Dad's house in Alton. We had a yummy dinner of tortellini, mixed veggies, ravioli's, and grilled chicken. The dinner was delicious and just perfect for fueling up for the race the next day. We got all our running "swag" that night as well. I was feeling excited and really good about the race the next day. We went to bed early and made sure to get lots of rest. We planned to wake up bright and early so that we could have plenty of time in the morning to get things together, the kids fed, and off to the starting line. We made sure we had taken a few bathroom breaks as well so we didn't have to go during the race.

Race day morning we were up at 5:45-6:00. I had my coffee, black, and a piece of wheat toast with peanut butter for some protein and energy. I knew I didn't want to eat too much, and was planning on having my picky bar on the way to the race start. I got ready in my running clothes, did my hair, and did a little stretching. I felt I was in a good mind set...calm, but excited...and eager to get going. We were ready to leave the house about 7:40, it was only a few minutes away to get to the start of the race from my Mom's, and we knew we wanted to be in the back of the group when starting. We didn't want to feel pushed and knew we were not the fastest runners. When we arrived at the race there were lots of other people just getting there as well. We left our sweatshirts in the car, even though it was about 40 out, we didn't want to worry about finding them later at the end. The walk to the start was cold, I jogged a little to warm up my legs and get my blood flowing. I got my endomondo ready and my music and as we got closer to the start line. As we approached we could hear the National Anthem playing and then the gun went off. As the runners started heading across the start line my Mom, sister, and I got our music playing, and then moved into a jog as we crossed the start. It was the perfect way to start the race. We weren't standing waiting for the gun to go off and getting anxious or nervous. We moved right across the start line and into the long run ahead. We were smiling. We were moving at a good pace, together. We ran the first four miles at a steady pace of 10:20 to 10:40 minutes per mile. We felt strong and steady. The three of us moved together as one. We kept together step by step, stride by stride. We talked. We smiled. We laughed. As I ran with my Mom and sister I felt strong. I knew that I was going to make it through these 13.1 miles without difficulty. I felt the best I ever have in a race. I knew that all my training and hard work was going to get me to that finish line. 

As we headed to mile four I could feel my legs tightening up. I had kept my stride with theirs for a while, but I knew it was time to stretch my stride and pick up my pace. I didn't want to leave them, because this race wasn't about beating a time or crossing the finish first, but about what we'd trained for together. It was about a passion that we share and a love for running. This race was about our bond as Mother and Daughters. However, I couldn't keep pace with them any longer. I knew if I did my legs may tighten up and cramp because I was holding back. So I slowly picked up my pace and moved ahead of my Mom and sister. It felt great. I felt comfortable. My breathing was even, and I felt a fire inside me ignite. As my pace slightly picked up I hit mile five, six, and seven. I couldn't believe how great I still felt. I wasn't tired, the cool morning air and wind kept my breathing steady and kept me cool. As I came to the end of Route 11 and turned onto 11D just before the mile seven marker I knew this is where the hills were coming. I remembered from four years ago when I hit this back road that the rolling hills were a struggle for me. I knew that this time I had trained more on hills and that I could run up them if I just kept calm and my pace stayed slow and steady. As the hills approached I was able to make it up them without walking. I hit the top and a huge smile came across my face. I knew I had this! I felt that I was floating on air. I felt that I had wings. 

As I started to moved towards the last few miles I couldn't believe how strong I still felt. My endomondo tracker rang in my ear that I was at mile 11. I had kept a steady pace throughout the race for the past four miles of around 10 minutes per mile. I knew that I still had it in me to pick up my pace for the last two miles and finish strong. I could feel myself getting tired, and as I hit mile 12 I started to hit that mental battle. I started to feel as though I wanted to walk, but I didn't let my head get in my way. I knew that all I had left was one mile. I could do this. I could run the whole race and not stop. I kept my feet moving. I kept my breathing even. Then the words that my husband Travis had said to me the night before flowed into my head....he said to me "when you hit mile 8 (but it was mile 11 at this point) remember what you've been working for. Remember all the hard work you've put in and why you're doing this. Know that you can do it and keep going. I love you babe. You've got this". I smiled and pushed through. I came around the corner in the last quarter mile and could see the finish line. I could hear the crowed cheering. Then as I hit the final turn I saw familiar faces. Standing at the beginning of the tunnel was my Dad, with my nephew, and my two boys. I hear them cheering. "Momma! Go Momma!" tears started flowing and I screamed from excitement. It was truly the best feeling that rushed over me. I said "come on!" and they ran up to me. Grabbed my hands and started running to the finish with me. I knew that I did it! I knew that all my hard work at that moment had payed off. 

This race wasn't about my time, or the pace that I was running. This race was so much more than that. This race was about the hard work. It was about sharing a love and passion for something with my Mother and Sister. It was about accomplishments that I achieved that I never thought I could. I didn't ever think I could run a half marathon without stopping. I used to struggle running hills, but I ran EVERY hill in this race without walking. I felt as though someone was with me carrying me every step. It was a feeling I've never felt before. 

This race taught me so many things about myself. It taught me that the struggles you face are worth it, because it's a step forward in your journey. Those struggles are what gets you to the finish and they make you stronger. Hearing my boys voices as I approached the final stretch of the race taught me that I'm setting an example for them. By my lead I'm teaching them to never give up. I'm teaching them that you can accomplish your dreams. I'm teaching them about health and fitness and that it's a part of your life and who you are. I am showing them through example that strength is so much more then being strong physically, but about being strong mentally. 

Know that the first time you try something new it may be hard and it may be a struggle, but that doesn't mean to give up. Keep working at it. Keep pushing and moving forward. Don't EVER give up because all that hard work you put in each day is one step closer to your end goal, whatever that may be. Each time you try you will learn something about yourself and each time the journey will become easier. Remember to keep your eyes open for the lessons you will learn along the way because that...that is what is most important. 

Much love, 

Chrissy 
Fit Mommy of 2