The Big Half Marathons

It's hard to believe these big events have already come and gone for me! You spend months and months running your butt off (quite literally) for one day of glory. And oh is it glorious. This year, my life has been all about long term goals. Meeting any kind of goal is such a good feeling! But when you invest every day a lot of your time towards accomplishing something you initially thought was not going to be doable...it makes the victory even sweeter. Every person I like to think, sees what other people do and we imagine or hope that one day they will be that way too. 5 months ago, every day I saw people out running, I kept thinking how nice it would be to be that person. How successful they must feel every day! But when you actually decide to be that person and make it happen, it's a lot easier said than done! But truth is- success is found deep, deep down inside of us where no one else can see. Every time we are able to silence doubt or beat ourself at something that to someone else may seem simple or insignificant...that is success. This half marathon was a huge success for me because I beat myself day after day after day. Consistent, driven... fighting a mental battle...and winning. Man. I get worked up thinking about it. These long term goals that you fight and work for and want so badly make you a more confident and capable person! I have no excuses anymore. I can do anything I truly wish to accomplish. Psh...a measly 13 miles to so many people is nada mucho. But for me...this was one of my greater feats. 5 months postpartum and mama's still got it. BAM! This running thing is therapeutic, and now I can't stop. First it started when I knew I'd need a way to kick myself back into shape after baby number 2. It started one mile at a time, and finished here.

The Navy-Air Force Half in Washington DC. Amazing setting running around our nations capitol and national monuments, and the best running partner out there. Love my sis, she is crazy inspiring.

At the end of this race, I cried :) Choked up and teared up is maybe a better way to say it. What I had worked my tail off for months right after I had a baby was accomplished! So I did it again. This time, my dad flew into town and Nathan joined us also. We ran a half together on Cape Cod the end of October, and I don't think I have taken a more gorgeous run ever. Right along the beach in the cool morning. We ran up some rolling hills to a lighthouse and the whole view was awe inspiring. Running with my dad was so neat, and with every mile we came to, we each shared a new gratitude thought. My dad said something I found very beautiful and it gave me a lot of hope. He said he was grateful that he had been blessed to live long enough to watch the Savior mold him, forgive him where he fell short, and make him whole. And that he was grateful that he could live his life to give him the time to learn, grow, and be changed. When in doubt of any imperfections we may have, rather than feel undeserving or disheartened by our short comings or past wrongs, what a beautiful alternative to see our time here as a gift. The chance to be changed. My dad....he's a sharp one :)

Nobska Lighthouse

One of Nate's trophies.....yow.

The Runners

The finish line and the sun in our eyes.

Cape Cod Coast line. Truly Stunning.

What a blessing to be able to run in such incredible places! Who knows, maybe I'll get crazy enough to train for a full marathon next summer. The things that are hardest for me are the sweetest victories. And usually the biggest testimony builders too. I felt so small and incapable on my own to start! But with every prayer I said to make it one more mile or push for 5 more minutes....well, those silly prayers mattered to me, and thus they mattered to someone else. Same goes for everything we hope to accomplish that feels devastatingly difficult. I get rather emotional with each piece of self doubt I watch be removed from myself. What a beautiful blessing to be alive and watch ourselves have the capacity to change for the better.

"The miracle is not that I had the courage to finish....but that I had the courage to begin." -anonymous