On the cover of a magazine....

It's pretty crazy to walk out to get the mail and actually see yourself on the cover of a magazine.

Granted, it was the Washington State retired teachers magazine, but hey!  It's still cool!

Here is the full article.

On April 12^th  2012, I completed the Boston marathon.  Sometimes I say that and I still can’t believe that it is true.  You see, I am not an athlete.  I am your average 40-year old wife, mother, daughter and teacher.  But 7 years ago, I saw a picture of myself sitting at the kitchen table looking overweight, tired and unhappy.  The day I saw that picture was the day I knew I had to do something about it….as in NOW…that moment.  Therefore, I walked out the garage door, laced up a pair of shoes and ran around the block.  I won’t lie.  It was terrible, miserable and depressing.  But, in that moment I had accomplished my first goal—to get around the block without stopping.  I did it.  Little did I know that completing that small goal was actually the door opening to so many more wonderful adventures, opportunities and bigger goals.

Little by little, I added distances to my “block”.  I’ll never forget calling my dad, who has always been a runner, and telling him that I had ran a mile in 12 minutes!  It was so monumental.  As I continued to run throughout the winter and gain strength, my dad started planting the seed for finding a race to do.  He suggested a half-marathon.  It seemed impossible to me.  He took me on what I considered to be a long run of 6 ½ miles.  I was elated when we measured it out!  He assured me that I could complete a half-marathon, and just for good measure, he would run it with me.  We signed up for the Whidbey Island half-marathon.  Now when I say “we” signed up for the half-marathon, you need to know that this is a family affair.  We might have been the ones running, but we had one heck of a support crew that traveled with us.  My husband Michael, my boys Jacob and Nicholas, and my mom Paula.  And they’ve been at every race since.

After Whidbey, I was on a runner’s high.  Training for a half had been hard, but I was motivated to continue improving.  Not only that, but at some point during the training, running became “mine”.  I would lose myself in runs, I could think clearly and I came back with a wash of calm.  I was meeting new people in town that were runners too and they were whispering “marathon” in my ear.  I’ll never forget emailing my dear friend Amy who had just completed her first marathon.  I asked her, “Do you think I can do it?”  Her response, “Of course you can.”  With her encouragement, a lot of discussions at home and a complete buy in from the support crew, I found myself signing up for my first marathon.  I’ve never looked back.  In fact, since that first marathon, my husband and sister completed a half-marathon, I’ve participated in a relay with some of my closest girlfriends for the last 3 years and I’ve enjoyed sharing in fun runs with my kids as often as possible. 

With each marathon that I completed, I realized that the more time I gave to training, the better my performance became.  My goal at my first marathon was to simply cross the finish line.  Mission accomplished.  As I looked to my next marathons, my goals started to change.  The intensity and passion raised for me.  My next goal was to break 4 hours.  Mission accomplished.  I wanted to break 3hours 50 minutes.  I didn’t do it, but I still got a PR (personal record), but the seed had been planted to break 3:45 and qualify for Boston.  Finally, in May 2011, I qualified at the Eugene marathon.  We were going to Boston!

If  it is one thing I’ve learned over the last 7 years, it is that the finish line is really only the beginning.  To complete any goal simply leads you to the ability to plan another goal.  Running has changed my life.  It has enhanced my life.  I have gained so much.  Trusted friends, healthy habits, and a world-wide community of people looking to continually improve their quality of life are just a few. 

There were tears of joy at the start.  There were tears of joy at the finish.  And there was a little bit of heat on Monday, April 16^th at the Boston marathon.  But I had made it and I was ready to soak in this experience.

I didn’t sleep very much on Sunday night.  I checked the clock hourly and yet, I felt peaceful.  I was ready.  I followed my morning ritual for marathon day.  Up early, bagel & gear check.  I headed down to the lobby of our hotel where I met up with a large group that was heading to the bus loading zone.  These guys were experts and very helpful.  We got to our buses in the Boston Commons area.  By this time, it was evident that “throw away” clothes that we normally used to stay warm while waiting were not necessary.  It was already 66 degrees.  (For those of you who don’t know, “throw away” clothes get donated, by the marathon, to charity.)  The buses drove us to the famous Hopkinton, aka Athletes Village.  It was a great place to sit and hang out while waiting for my wave to start.  There were thousands of people and I enjoyed visiting with so many of them. 

After getting up at 5 a.m., riding the subway at 6 a.m., taking a bus at 7, and arriving at Hopkinton at 8, my 10:20 start time could not start soon enough.  My legs were full of anticipation, my heart was racing with excitement and the crowd was full of energy from the very start!  I was ready to enjoy this moment. 

They had already told all runners that today was not the day to go for a PR (personal record).  In fact, because of the extreme heat warning, they offered a deferment of your place if you wanted to wait until next year.  Thousands of people decided not to run due to the dangerous conditions.  Having that warning almost freed my spirit.  I threw time goals out the window and knew to just enjoy each step, take it all in and hang on for the ride.  And what a ride it was!

For literally, 26.2 miles, the crowd was amazing!  They certainly carried me along some tough moments with their enthusiasm.  They talk directly to you as you go by.  They want high fives, they offer snacks and some were even giving away kisses!  The fire departments along the route set up tents that we could run through and get showered with water. Incredible amounts of people had their yard hoses set up and sprayed us as we went by.  And even more people were camped on the side of the road with ice that they had bought but were graciously giving to the runners as we went.  Their generosity, caring and cheers were priceless.

I met tons of people during the run, too.  Because paces were slow and walking through water stations was necessary, we had plenty of time to mingle.  By mile 6, people were starting to drop like flies around me.  It was not a pretty sight for the rest of the run. Yes, the heat was taking its toll on us all, but everyone I talked to had the same theory as me.  It was all about feeling lucky to be running the Boston Marathon, happy to feel healthy and soaking it all in. 

As I came around Mile 25, I heard my name being yelled (in that cute Southern drawl) by my mom.  The tears came rushing in.  I was able to stop and hug & kiss my mom, my boys and my husband.  I couldn’t contain the tears.  I wish that I could adequately express the whole-hearted love and support that I have received from my husband, children and parents.  None of this would have been possible without them.  None of this would have been the same without them.  They were with me every step of the way, selflessly giving of their hearts and souls to get me to this point.

I continued up the block and turned the corner.  The finish line was in sight and it was beautiful.  Running towards it was like a “Chariots of Fire” moment.  Time was standing still.  I couldn’t take it all in fast enough.  And then I saw my dad sitting up on the media bridge of the finish line and that’s when I knew I had really done it.  Up went his camera.  Up went his pumping fists and thumbs up.  WE had worked for this moment.  I had a grin a mile wide! Little did I know that my school had been following me throughout the day too. 

I felt complete satisfaction, contentment and peace crossing that finish line.  Total joy.  It was a closing of a chapter for me & my family; adding another drop in the bucket.  It brings with it, the excitement and anticipation of whatever comes next.

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And in other related news.....I RAN 3 MILES OUTSIDE today!  It actually felt better than the treadmill which I had only been able to do for about 1/2 a mile.  It was gloriously wonderful!