Day of Hope #38

Saturday February 13, 2016

Goal: Learn to love half marathons

Quote: “One of the greatest things I have ever done was to simply believe in myself.” - Unknown

Today I got to sleep in a bit, and then I went to Ann Morrison Park in Boise, to do a half marathon. Yes, a half marathon, 13.1 miles. I honestly don’t feel like it. I had been training, and was tired from the week, but I made myself get up and get dressed. 

I try to tell myself, just get dressed, and go out the door. Even when I don’t want to. Just do it for 13 minutes, then you can stop, if you want. I have never stopped after 13 minutes, but it lets my mind think it’s a short amount of time. I used to tell my kids when they were little and took naps, you only have to go to sleep for 10 minutes, then you can get up. They always slept longer of course so why wouldn’t it work for me too. I committed myself to do 13 races, that are 13.1 miles, before I was 50 years old. I know if I just show up, and do my best, that is all that counts. I figure I need to commit to doing at least 3 races each year to meet my goal.

Today is the famous Run 4 Luv race. This race happens around Valentine’s Day each year and they do a 5K, 10K, and half marathon at Ann Morrison Park in Boise, Idaho. This is my favorite park. The race is all along a paved path called the Greenbelt, and it runs right along the Boise River. The race is Idaho owned and operated. They have raffle prizes and themed music. Luv is in the air. The race started at 11am. I got to the park and was stretching to get ready. I was all by myself. I did not let that get me down. I saw another girl all by herself as well, so I decided to go over and ask her if she would take my picture for me, so I had proof I was there. Then I offered to take a picture of her, so she had one too. 

We started talking and she flew in special for the race, all the way from Alaska. She has a goal to do a half marathon in every U.S. state. She was one dedicated woman, that’s such a big goal. Not only did she come from Alaska to do this race, but she just had knee surgery not long ago. She figured she would just walk the race, or light jog, if she could not run. Since it was a half marathon and I was not prepared, and she was recovering, we decided to keep an eye on each other.  

We stayed within eyesight of each other for the whole race. I was just a few feet in front of her. She did a light jog, and I ran over and under the bridges and tunnels. We kept each other going. She told me at one of the water stations when we were over halfway done that, I was her inspiration and her energizer bunny. All I needed to do was keep going, and she would follow, and we would finish strong. I was hurting, and so was she. Not bad pain, just mostly my mental pain trying to talk me into quitting. If she had not been counting on me, I might have just walked the rest of the way. 

We came around the last corner and could see the finish line. I was ahead of her, but I was not about to finish without her. I stopped to wait for her. We crossed the finish line together hand in hand. Shout out to Shelbie, wherever she might be, and thank you again for pushing me to keep going. I will never forget it. I was going for a race finish time of 3 hours and 13 minutes, and we ended at 3 hours and 17 minutes. 

Then if that was not enough fun for one day, I headed over to the Boise State stadium to watch a basketball game with friends from church. The group I went with that day were named the Seasoned Saints. It’s a group of fifty-five and over from the church. I love people older than me, and most of them were in their seventies. It’s so great to hear their stories and gain from their wisdom. After the game, we all went to dinner at a restaurant called Lindy’s Steakhouse and had the Valentine’s Day special, steak & shrimp. Two dinners for $50.00. I shared it with one of the gals and it was amazing.

 I went home that night and took an Epsom salt bath for over an hour. I was sore from the race, but I was so proud of myself for just going and getting it done. 

My Lesson of hope: If you make personal goals for yourself, don’t give up because you are not ready. Just show up. Even if it’s only for 13 minutes, show up. Try it and see what happens.