Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Trick or Treat smell my feet give me something good to eat...my 5 year old has been singing this day in and day out. Halloween is like a kids dream come true! You get to play dress up, walk around in the dark, and neighbors hand out candy. To top it off your parents let you eat it! Halloween like most holidays for me, brings back memories, pillowcases stuffed with chocolate, homemade costumes, and apple cider. Did you notice that 2 of my 3 memories involve food? Well really the costumes is a means to get junk food so they kind of all do. Really who am I kidding it is all about the candy. So I am trying to stay focused on the bigger goal which is ultimately the small goal - to be smaller (and healthier) I don't need the candy and for some reason I don't even want it that much anymore. I would rather splurge on something I really enjoy...like a pedicure ... my feet are still a mess from that little nice little walk I took in Columbus.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
It is lonely at the half
A little side note: As race day became closer, I started to really question what the heck I had got myself into. I was feeling very unmotivated and not very inspired. I looked to Debi from camp for a little help. She sent me some wonderful words of encouragement that kept me going when times were ruff particularly I kept repeating to myself "God wants you to shine."
The night before: I am a nervous wreck. I am snapping at my kids, my mom, the dogs. I am starving, crabby, just not myself at all. My hands are shaking- why are my hands shaking? I have to tie this timing chip in to my shoes and I can't seem to do it. I have to have my mom pin my bib on to my shirt, it is all just crazy. When I am finally prepared for the next day I start to calm down some. I am off to bed to try to sleep for the big day.
Race day: I awake at 5am. I did manage to sleep, only woke a few times and was able to go right back to sleep each time. I get up and go outside. Breath in the cold air and try to get myself focused over a cup of coffee. After dressing and only having to re-tie my shoes once I am out the door. I stop to eat on the way and arrive downtown right before 7am. I get my things, set off, realize I forgot my hip pack (like I can make it through the day without that?) go back and set off again. I am turned around, don't know where I am going, nervous, freaking out, did I say nervous? It seems like it takes me a mile to get to the start and now I am adding that on to the task ahead and mad at myself for not finding a better place to park. What if I can't make the last mile because I wasted that energy getting to the start? I get in to the crowd and await the start. It is amazing all the people! Everyone is pumped. People are everywhere. Runners, walkers, spectators, photographers, little kids, babies in strollers. I can't get over the people! We are packed in like cattle going to market. No one is moving. Then it begins... the slow crawl forward to the first timing strip that will be your own personal start time. The adrenaline is flowing through me like mad! I can not wait to get there. And then I am there and I am off! I feel like I am moving very fast. I want to run. I even jog a little here and there to try to get to a better place in the crowd. I am so pumped, I am in a hurry, blood is rushing, my mind is going, I can barely stand it. I keep telling myself to slow down! I know that if I hurry I will burn out long before the end. After the first mile or so I fall in to a nice pace and I feel good about how I am doing.
Some things surprise me along the way. The place is covered in discarded clothing. Shirts, sweatshirt, hats, gloves, even socks. I knew that marathoners will wear old things they can get rid of as the go but the amount along the road is mind boggling. I can see my breath, but I am not cold, or hot, I think I will hold on to my extra shirt awhile longer. As we approach the first mile marker the runners are already on their way back. They don't even look winded-as they head in to the next stretch. I take a water at the first station, chug it and toss it to the Gatorade drenched ground, along with the 100s of other cups that were thrown aside in the rush of the race. It is an awe inspiring moment for me. For the first time ever I feel like an athlete.
The next few miles just rush by. I keep moving ahead. I still have more energy than I know what to do with. The crowds of spectators along the way are so motivating. I think to myself that I will have to be sure to see a marathon some time. It looks fun, hanging out on your front lawn, cup of coffee in hand, cheering as the crowds rush by. The children are out looking for some high fives and hand shakes. How cute!
Mile 4 comes along and I have to stop at the facilities. It is a quick in and out then I jog for a bit to get back to my place. Time for some music. The next 8 miles go along just fine. I have all my great songs to keep me going. I am enjoying the beautiful homes, the fall foliage, and the wonderful people of Columbus that have come out on this perfect fall day. As I travel the 12th mile I begin to have a very scary revelation... everyone around me is a walker with a purple bib. They are all walking the half-marathon! Is no one walking the full 26.2 miles? By my accords no. I do not see a sole with the same bib as me! Just before the half way mark a huge billboard indicates that half-marathoners should turn left and full marathoners should go straight. The moment of truth. As I keep trekking up the hill it seems like everyone on earth has turned left and I am on my own. Deserted. Lonely. I meet up with two other ladies on the other side of the sign and they have the same reaction I do? Did everyone just leave us? Are we last? No really there has to be SOMEONE behind us somewhere. So I meet up with these two wonderful women, Karen and Dawnne both from Columbus, and we started out on the second half of the journey together. Karen and Dawnee had trained together since June and were in it together for the long haul. I was oh so grateful that they "picked me up" so to speak. For all of us, first timers as we were, the half way mark was a major wake up call and definitely a point were you had to reach down deep and remind yourself why you are doing this. When you loose the momentum of a huge crowd like we were in, the walk becomes a whole new breed of animal for sure. I have to say that Karen was funny worrying that we were dead last. We had to remind ourselves of our goal. Which I believe for all of us was to simply finish. With the end in mind we kept on going. I learned a little about these ladies along the way, they both are professionals at OSU. I hope Dawnne, doesn't mind me saying that she has MS. Because that was enough for me to say if she can do it so can I. Overall this was a pair of very lovely, intelligent, funny ladies, who I truly can say I would not have made it with out them. They kept me on track and together we pushed through. Along the way were some other wonderful folks. "the best mom" who's children were in a competition to beat out the other as favorite. Her son that brought her coffee and walked with her a mile and a half, then her daughter who topped him by meeting up with her around the 20 mile mark and pretty much finished with her. Another lady who beat her own time from last year, at the 20 mile mark, a little over 5 hours for her, she was already 3 hours ahead of her previous time. Way to go! You have to give her credit for doing it again to begin with and then doing it better!
The last part of the walk was long and hard, I kept telling myself over and over that God wants me to shine. That you can do all things through him who strengthens us. But it is hard to keep going when it is clear that you are truly at the end. We arrived at drink stations to find that volunteers had packed up and went home. A few places at least left a few glasses of Gatorade at the curb. A few very wonderful people were still out watching and cheering as we went by but most had gone on with their day. We were sure to thank those that were still out cheering. We really needed it. Did I mention how it is lonely at the half? It is hard to keep going, my feet hurt, my hands were swollen, I kept getting this piercing pain in my toes. But I had come way to far to give up now. I was going to finish this no matter what.
With 4 miles to go a little inspiration popped up out of nowhere, a row of signs, with motivating little facts to keep you going. Definitely for those who are questioning why they are in this. One even said: why? Because I can. Another: Boston. Another: to have time away from my husband, kids, mother-in-law. Just a little something to keep you going. The one I remember the most said that it was about 3.7 miles to the finish. I know that one stuck in my mind the most because for me 3.7 miles is nothing-until it is the length to the end. That was really the longest 3.7 miles ever!
In the last few hundred feet or so I finally got that one last wind and kicked it in to high gear. I wanted it to be my best time ever. I wanted to get across that timing chip more than I wanted anything ever before. I was so surprised when I came around the corner and same the amazing balloons and the official finish line. I heard the announcer call here comes Tammy Wright! I saw my son, and my family. I hurried across so I could cheer for Dawnne and Karen. There were tears of Joy and smiles all around. A medal. Pictures. Hugs. Kisses. But more than anything, a self pride that I can not begin to explain. The only way to know it is to go out and accomplish a dream, make something on your list come true, something you have to work at. Be proud of yourself. Believe in yourself. You deserve to shine!
FYI: my final time: 7 hours 7 min and 13 seconds!
The night before: I am a nervous wreck. I am snapping at my kids, my mom, the dogs. I am starving, crabby, just not myself at all. My hands are shaking- why are my hands shaking? I have to tie this timing chip in to my shoes and I can't seem to do it. I have to have my mom pin my bib on to my shirt, it is all just crazy. When I am finally prepared for the next day I start to calm down some. I am off to bed to try to sleep for the big day.
Race day: I awake at 5am. I did manage to sleep, only woke a few times and was able to go right back to sleep each time. I get up and go outside. Breath in the cold air and try to get myself focused over a cup of coffee. After dressing and only having to re-tie my shoes once I am out the door. I stop to eat on the way and arrive downtown right before 7am. I get my things, set off, realize I forgot my hip pack (like I can make it through the day without that?) go back and set off again. I am turned around, don't know where I am going, nervous, freaking out, did I say nervous? It seems like it takes me a mile to get to the start and now I am adding that on to the task ahead and mad at myself for not finding a better place to park. What if I can't make the last mile because I wasted that energy getting to the start? I get in to the crowd and await the start. It is amazing all the people! Everyone is pumped. People are everywhere. Runners, walkers, spectators, photographers, little kids, babies in strollers. I can't get over the people! We are packed in like cattle going to market. No one is moving. Then it begins... the slow crawl forward to the first timing strip that will be your own personal start time. The adrenaline is flowing through me like mad! I can not wait to get there. And then I am there and I am off! I feel like I am moving very fast. I want to run. I even jog a little here and there to try to get to a better place in the crowd. I am so pumped, I am in a hurry, blood is rushing, my mind is going, I can barely stand it. I keep telling myself to slow down! I know that if I hurry I will burn out long before the end. After the first mile or so I fall in to a nice pace and I feel good about how I am doing.
Some things surprise me along the way. The place is covered in discarded clothing. Shirts, sweatshirt, hats, gloves, even socks. I knew that marathoners will wear old things they can get rid of as the go but the amount along the road is mind boggling. I can see my breath, but I am not cold, or hot, I think I will hold on to my extra shirt awhile longer. As we approach the first mile marker the runners are already on their way back. They don't even look winded-as they head in to the next stretch. I take a water at the first station, chug it and toss it to the Gatorade drenched ground, along with the 100s of other cups that were thrown aside in the rush of the race. It is an awe inspiring moment for me. For the first time ever I feel like an athlete.
The next few miles just rush by. I keep moving ahead. I still have more energy than I know what to do with. The crowds of spectators along the way are so motivating. I think to myself that I will have to be sure to see a marathon some time. It looks fun, hanging out on your front lawn, cup of coffee in hand, cheering as the crowds rush by. The children are out looking for some high fives and hand shakes. How cute!
Mile 4 comes along and I have to stop at the facilities. It is a quick in and out then I jog for a bit to get back to my place. Time for some music. The next 8 miles go along just fine. I have all my great songs to keep me going. I am enjoying the beautiful homes, the fall foliage, and the wonderful people of Columbus that have come out on this perfect fall day. As I travel the 12th mile I begin to have a very scary revelation... everyone around me is a walker with a purple bib. They are all walking the half-marathon! Is no one walking the full 26.2 miles? By my accords no. I do not see a sole with the same bib as me! Just before the half way mark a huge billboard indicates that half-marathoners should turn left and full marathoners should go straight. The moment of truth. As I keep trekking up the hill it seems like everyone on earth has turned left and I am on my own. Deserted. Lonely. I meet up with two other ladies on the other side of the sign and they have the same reaction I do? Did everyone just leave us? Are we last? No really there has to be SOMEONE behind us somewhere. So I meet up with these two wonderful women, Karen and Dawnne both from Columbus, and we started out on the second half of the journey together. Karen and Dawnee had trained together since June and were in it together for the long haul. I was oh so grateful that they "picked me up" so to speak. For all of us, first timers as we were, the half way mark was a major wake up call and definitely a point were you had to reach down deep and remind yourself why you are doing this. When you loose the momentum of a huge crowd like we were in, the walk becomes a whole new breed of animal for sure. I have to say that Karen was funny worrying that we were dead last. We had to remind ourselves of our goal. Which I believe for all of us was to simply finish. With the end in mind we kept on going. I learned a little about these ladies along the way, they both are professionals at OSU. I hope Dawnne, doesn't mind me saying that she has MS. Because that was enough for me to say if she can do it so can I. Overall this was a pair of very lovely, intelligent, funny ladies, who I truly can say I would not have made it with out them. They kept me on track and together we pushed through. Along the way were some other wonderful folks. "the best mom" who's children were in a competition to beat out the other as favorite. Her son that brought her coffee and walked with her a mile and a half, then her daughter who topped him by meeting up with her around the 20 mile mark and pretty much finished with her. Another lady who beat her own time from last year, at the 20 mile mark, a little over 5 hours for her, she was already 3 hours ahead of her previous time. Way to go! You have to give her credit for doing it again to begin with and then doing it better!
The last part of the walk was long and hard, I kept telling myself over and over that God wants me to shine. That you can do all things through him who strengthens us. But it is hard to keep going when it is clear that you are truly at the end. We arrived at drink stations to find that volunteers had packed up and went home. A few places at least left a few glasses of Gatorade at the curb. A few very wonderful people were still out watching and cheering as we went by but most had gone on with their day. We were sure to thank those that were still out cheering. We really needed it. Did I mention how it is lonely at the half? It is hard to keep going, my feet hurt, my hands were swollen, I kept getting this piercing pain in my toes. But I had come way to far to give up now. I was going to finish this no matter what.
With 4 miles to go a little inspiration popped up out of nowhere, a row of signs, with motivating little facts to keep you going. Definitely for those who are questioning why they are in this. One even said: why? Because I can. Another: Boston. Another: to have time away from my husband, kids, mother-in-law. Just a little something to keep you going. The one I remember the most said that it was about 3.7 miles to the finish. I know that one stuck in my mind the most because for me 3.7 miles is nothing-until it is the length to the end. That was really the longest 3.7 miles ever!
In the last few hundred feet or so I finally got that one last wind and kicked it in to high gear. I wanted it to be my best time ever. I wanted to get across that timing chip more than I wanted anything ever before. I was so surprised when I came around the corner and same the amazing balloons and the official finish line. I heard the announcer call here comes Tammy Wright! I saw my son, and my family. I hurried across so I could cheer for Dawnne and Karen. There were tears of Joy and smiles all around. A medal. Pictures. Hugs. Kisses. But more than anything, a self pride that I can not begin to explain. The only way to know it is to go out and accomplish a dream, make something on your list come true, something you have to work at. Be proud of yourself. Believe in yourself. You deserve to shine!
FYI: my final time: 7 hours 7 min and 13 seconds!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Run-Walk-Crawl
The Columbus Marathon....
26.2 miles -26.2 miles -26.2 miles.
I am walking the Columbus Marathon on October 19th. I have worked-out at Debi's, I have trained on my own and now it is just around the corner. The number is lingering over my head. Can I really walk 26.2 miles? My family and friends think I am crazy. They keep asking if I am raising money for a charity or what. Why are you walking 26.2 miles? What is the point? Why did I want to do this? Why- because I can. I wanted to do this when I turned 30. You know to say I did something big. But it didn't happen then. It didn't happen at 31 or 32 and now I am 33. I am stronger than I have ever been. I am more motivated than ever and most importantly I believe in myself. I know I can do it! It is kind of just something I need to complete. You know how people make those list of things you want to do before you die? Does anyone really ever finish the list? Well this is on my "list" and I need to do it. I want to do it. I have to do it. I would love to say that I am running and I am going to finish in some amazing first-timer time. But I am not a runner and don't imagine I ever will be. I have pretty much hated running since puberty. I am a walker. I love walking. I love being outside. I enjoy taking the time to smell the roses and see the wildlife. Right now the trees are beautiful with their changing colors. It is just pleasant to be outside. I love every time I add another mile to my walk. I challenge myself to beat my previous time. I thrive on setting a goal and doing it. So what is my plan for Sunday? Really it is to get over that finish line. Even if I have to crawl. Ok really- I will be a little disappointed in myself if I am crawling. But hey a finish is a finish and that is my ultimate goal for this. Next year I will try for a certain time. Heck maybe I will even run a little. You never know what a year will bring. So here's to Sunday. The weather is supposed to be beautiful. I am hoping for a great day. With no cramps, no blisters, no dehydration, and with any luck 26.2 miles of great walking! Columbus Marathon here I come!
26.2 miles -26.2 miles -26.2 miles.
I am walking the Columbus Marathon on October 19th. I have worked-out at Debi's, I have trained on my own and now it is just around the corner. The number is lingering over my head. Can I really walk 26.2 miles? My family and friends think I am crazy. They keep asking if I am raising money for a charity or what. Why are you walking 26.2 miles? What is the point? Why did I want to do this? Why- because I can. I wanted to do this when I turned 30. You know to say I did something big. But it didn't happen then. It didn't happen at 31 or 32 and now I am 33. I am stronger than I have ever been. I am more motivated than ever and most importantly I believe in myself. I know I can do it! It is kind of just something I need to complete. You know how people make those list of things you want to do before you die? Does anyone really ever finish the list? Well this is on my "list" and I need to do it. I want to do it. I have to do it. I would love to say that I am running and I am going to finish in some amazing first-timer time. But I am not a runner and don't imagine I ever will be. I have pretty much hated running since puberty. I am a walker. I love walking. I love being outside. I enjoy taking the time to smell the roses and see the wildlife. Right now the trees are beautiful with their changing colors. It is just pleasant to be outside. I love every time I add another mile to my walk. I challenge myself to beat my previous time. I thrive on setting a goal and doing it. So what is my plan for Sunday? Really it is to get over that finish line. Even if I have to crawl. Ok really- I will be a little disappointed in myself if I am crawling. But hey a finish is a finish and that is my ultimate goal for this. Next year I will try for a certain time. Heck maybe I will even run a little. You never know what a year will bring. So here's to Sunday. The weather is supposed to be beautiful. I am hoping for a great day. With no cramps, no blisters, no dehydration, and with any luck 26.2 miles of great walking! Columbus Marathon here I come!
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