Ethan's Run....Half Marathon

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! 

On the way to the race, being a Saturday, there were tons of garage sale signs, everywhere.  I joked with Jen and said if there is any signs, I might have to make a detour.....this was the first sign and I was ready to leave her! 

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!