Are words really necesccary! Well Kaden thought they were, the night before the race, I got these notes in an email, they were all I needed to make it to the finish line! As a surprise to my friend, Jen, I signed up to run this race in November so for Christmas, I sent Jen a box with my itinerary and some pink hair dye.....let the journey begin! I have been running for a while, but when I heard about this half marathon for children affected with CHD, I knew I had to be there! Oh course the fact that my good close friend and warm weather were there too, this had Leah written all over it!
I slept terribly, you know your getting old when you can't have comfortable sleep overs anymore! I was nervous about the race, I set expectations for myself and hate letting myself down...I knew there was going to be emotions, which I am not always comfortable with, etc. but overall it was monumental for me!
No sweat yet! We colored a piece of our hair hot pink to match our outfits! We were sisters in heaven who found each other on earth, I love this girl!
Jen, Leah and Jeanette!
But as you can see, I hung on and at this point mile 11, I wish I had left for the garage sale.
But of course that wasn't an option...this was the home stretch uphill if I might add! That race was almost half uphill, hence my sore hip and foot.
At mile 12, Jen was like, lets sprint to the finish line, I was like heck no....I am not going any faster than this, I was pooped out! I saw the finish line and what do you think I did? Yup, pushed it to meet my 2 hour mark!
It was so neat to be in a race, with people who were there for a purpose, to help and give of yourself. As I was running, I realized that this pain was nothing compared to what those kids have to endure. My pain would go away in a few days, theirs wouldn't, if they even made it on this earth! I had a moment of tears on the run, when I was behind a lady with a picture of a baby pinned to her back, I bawled thinking of why I was in here in the first place. Avery Ann, you have made my life into something that I have never wished for but looking back, you have changed my world into something better. Today I walk with more love, more patience, more understanding, more hope, more desire to be better than I was! I know that losing a child is not a trial anyone should have to endure, but I can truly say that it has defined me and my life for the best.
I was not praying but stretching......the pain was worth the glory....and I will do it again! I don't know that I could have done it without Jen, she and her family were all there supporting and cheering us on, along with angels from above!
