One year later

I've had a blog post sitting around, half finished for more than 5 days and it wasn't writing itself. It wasn't so much a case of writer's block as it was of "thinker's block" or "runner's block." See, I'm still having some trouble with my running and some struggles in my personal life, but the negative tone the post was unsettling me. This weekend was a bit of a breakthrough, however.

Saturday I woke up with my "I hate running" face on. Thankfully, Shawn had made me promise the night before that I would be at his house at 9am for a 6 mile run. So at the crack of 9:15, I was there. It was my first run with Shawn in a long time and my first run ever with his friend Jen, a genuine rabbit if I ever met one (even nursing a knee injury). I did my best to slow them down and after 6 difficult miles and a huge breakfast at Nina's, I begrudgingly admitted the run was good. Back on the horse, so to speak.

Yesterday was nothing short of inspiration. For the first time, I went to an actual cheering station for a marathon. Our local store of all things craft beer, wine and gourmet local food, Beer and Skittles served as a water stop and cheering station for the Kalamazoo Marathon. About Mile 14.5. Again, I went with Shawn, Jen and her family joined us. A trip to the dollar store on Saturday night provided the world's most annoying noisemakers that I passed out to all the kids - and saved some for our group too!  We arrived early enough to see the first runner pass and I stayed for two hours, until at least 80% had gone by.  The most inspirational moment was when a woman came through around the 4:45 pace (nearly 11 min/mile - not part of the fast group) stopped at the corner, hugged her two school-aged kids who gave her snacks, took her discarded hat and then her mom (I'm guessing) took a picture of all three before giving her a huge hug and sending her on her way. The pride on the face of mom was clear from across the street. I'd bet all the dollars in my purse that it was a first time marathoner. The scene choked me up for longer than I expected - I have a fear I will cry through my entire marathon, especially when I see my family. Especially at the end. Oy.

But the walk back home is what inspired this post. See, last year I ran the 5k on the same day as the marathon. It was my first official race in 11 years. Here's a brief retrospective on the races/runs I've entered in the past year:

May 2012: Borgess Run for the Health of it 5k - the one the started it all!
May 2012: Girls on the Run 5k - slowest, most fun 5k EVER
June 2012: Kalamazoo Klassic 10k - first ever race longer than 4 miles
June 2012: Seaway Run 5k - a Muskegon summer tradition
August 2012: Color Run Grand Rapids
September 2012: Warrior Dash - Seriously, what was I thinking??
October 2012: Grand Rapids Half-Marathon - This is why I ran all summer!
November 2012: Red Bull Trail Daze Adventure Run
November 2012: Muskegon Turkey Trot 5k
December 2012: Run Through the Lights 5k - Santa and his reindeer sang through the entire course!
January 1, 2013: Sgt. Preston Yukon King 6 miles - longest run since the 1/2, also the only time I've ever been last (since high school track).
March 2013: St. Patrick's Day 5k - very informal, came with a free beer at Bell's afterwards!
April 2013: Hoosier Half Marathon - Happy Birthday to ME!!!

So, when I'm beating myself up for not doing enough over the past year, for not making progress in my times and my endurance, I need to look back and see what I accomplished in one short year. I've gone from barely being able to run 2 miles to THIS. And I think it's an impressive body of work.

Now, if I can just get back on a training schedule, perhaps the short, medium and long runs won't seem so difficult.  :)

Seaway Run 2012: Love Muskegon!

Many people have joined me on these events: Kari K., Shawn B., Stephanie H., Dave W., Angela C., Jen W.,  Heather T., Jen V., Cari D., Amy N., Sarah N., Adam N., Beth M., Brian H., Kylie S., and others. Thank you all!

To donate to my Marine Corps Marathon Fundraising efforts, click here!