I ran and ran and ran yesterday. I ran so far, I completed my very first half marathon. Yep, I did London's Run. I am proud to say that I ran the entire way without stopping. Sure, there were times - several times - I wanted to stop and not finish one more step.
But I kept seeing all of those encouraging signs along the route with pictures of kids with terrible cancer diseases and illnesses. I think my most favorite "encouragement" of the day was "Chafe Now. Brag Later." Boy, isn't that the truth!
Just when I didn't think I could carry on one more step, mile marker 10 came along. It was like a pillar of light from Heaven was shining down on it and a chorus of angels were singing "Hallelujah!"
Yippppeeee! It was there at that glorious mile marker that I got my own personal cheering squad. My sister, Jenny, her husband and kids were there volunteering at that water station. Jenny screamed, "Go Janet Go!" several times and even announced...ahem...yelled to the other volunteers there "This is my sister! I'm so proud of her. Go Janet Go!" I needed that at that precise moment.
No, it didn't make the remaining 3 miles any easier to run, but I kept playing her encouragement over and over and over in my head. That and my mother's words of "pick 'em up and put 'em down." Then, and at last, the finish line was in sight. I was so close, I couldn't give up. I wasn't going to!
I scanned the rope line of the onlookers and cheerers of many to see if I could find my own moral support. There they were! With Adam looking like a one-eyed minion from behind the camera lens, Howie in the jogging stroller, Owen and Caroline jumping up and down and screaming (yes, I could still hear them ABOVE the volume in my ears from the iPod) cheering me on, I began to really realize how much love and support I get from my family for every endeavor I take on.
Adam is quiet in his support, but gives it 100% - ALWAYS. He never questions about the time away from the family, but instead carries on with running the household while I'm gone. Whether it's going back to school, running a race, or being a mom, he is the first one to tell me how proud he is of me, what a great job I'm doing, and how I can do whatever I set my mind to. He gives me the time to run or the time to study and only has positive words for me.
Owen and Caroline ask me, each time they see me lace up the shoes or lug the backpack onto my shoulder, if I'm going running or to class. With each answer of yes, they are the first ones to say, "have a good run" or "have fun at class".
Howie willingly, for the most part, climbs into the jogging stroller each Monday and Wednesday morning when the kids have gone to preschool and he sees my running shoes laced up and ready to go. He still cries when the sun gets in his eyes - who wouldn't though, right? - but give that kid a bag of cereal and a sippy cup of milk and he's good to go. I could run a good 6-7 miles with him in the stroller and he's happy to let me push him the entire time.
I started out going to class for me - I had to afterall to completely change career goals. I started out running for me - I had to get back into some sort of shape (other than round) after having those babes of mine close together. I wanted to to teach the kids by example that we need to take care of our bodies, and that means exercising. (At least that is one example I am good for). We don't/won't live a sedatary lifestyle and need to stay active.
In the end, it is them who are the examples for me. I'm slowly but surely learning that while I may be doing all of this for me, I couldn't do any of it without them. It is their sacrifice and their love that give me all the support I need. For that, I'm appreciative and extremely grateful. Thank you My Love, Owen, Caroline & Howie -I love you and the support you give to me.
This is just moments (literally) after I crossed the finish line -which is why I look the way I do.
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