A few months ago I was lamenting over my lack of consistent running. I just couldn't seem to get into a regular running routine. What I needed was a plan. Something to motivate me. Something to guide me. Something to strike enough fear into my heart that I would go for a run no matter what. Running is a weird thing for me. I love it. I LOVE it. But when I don't stick with a routine it's easy for me to forget about it.
So I decided to sign up for the Go! St. Louis Half-Marathon which took place this past weekend. There was the full marathon too but, let's get real, I was not equipped to handle that just yet. It has been 9 years since I ran a marathon. 9 YEARS??!! How did that happen??!! I was in my 20's with no children, no business to run, and had lots of free time and lots of great running trails. So anyways, now in my 30's with 2 kids and a business to wrangle I decided to go easy on myself and start with the half.
My dear husband Terry (who has always been so super supportive of my running) took one picture of me at 6:00 Sunday morning before we headed over to the race.
Notice that 26.2 sitcker on my car? The day before I decided that it was the perfect thing to slap on my car as a reminder of what I've done before and what I will do again. However, during the half-marathon I kept thinking to myself that as soon as I was done I was going to rip that dumb sticker off my car because DO I REALLY BELIEVE I CAN RUN DOUBLE THIS DISTANCE???? In fact, during the race I saw one guy holding a sign that said "All this pain just for a sticker on your car". Now that was funny.
I love all the witty signs and motivational shirts to read along the way. Some of my other favorites from Sunday:
"Your feet hurt so bad because you're kicking so much a$$"
"Pain is weakness leaving the body"
"Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach"
"Don't crap your pants" (seriously, someone had that sign)
Terry and the girls were there to cheer me on.
See those guys, those are the leaders of the marathon. I was NOT in that picture. Those people are amazing and inspiring.
See this guy. This is Terry trying to take a picture of me. Only he hit the flip button on his camera phone and took a picture of himself instead as I ran by. He is NOT a professional photographer. Bless his goofy soul. This is my favorite picture from that day.
At the end the girls were very excited until they came over for a hug. Kira was so horrified by the amount of sweat on me she wouldn't even touch me. I'm proud we're raising our girls to be so compassionate and loving but smart enough to draw the line at hugging sweaty people.
In summary, it was a great day for a 13.1 run. Do I want to do 26.2? YES!!
I couldn't help but think back on the Chicago marathon I ran all those many moons ago and the poems I presented to my husband and mom. (I wrote one for my sister as well and also another friend who also came along to cheer me on). Without further ado...
To Mom
With a mother’s love
The warnings abound
You’ll hurt your joints
By pounding the ground
You’ll damage your knees
Your uterus will drop
You’re getting too thin
Your heart may pop
A marathon is too long
I hope this is your last
Drink plenty of water
And don’t go too fast
Yet here you are to root for me
Even though you worry and have all these fears
And I see how your love is faithful and true
Lifting me up with encouraging cheers
Your support for my running
And all the rest of my life
Strengthens our bonds, together
Forever through laughter and strife
With love and thanks,
Your daughter, Taisia Marie
And....
To my Husband
For eighteen weeks I have
Trained for this day
And I’ve felt your support
Every step of the way
You always held an interest
In all my running tales;
Copperheads, lactating bra,
Squats along the trail
My new longest distance,
And stolen Gatorade
Whether big or small – shared
Enthusiasm you displayed
Not only by me
Were sacrifices made
Time, money, and love
That can’t be repaid
You never complained when
Running pushed aside
Snuggling on the sofa,
A game of tennis or long
Bike ride
Birkenstocks, stability shoes
Wicking shorts, every sports drink
Hotel costs, registration fees –
Not once did you blink
You seemed to recognize and
Accept so effortlessly
How important running this
Chicago race was to me
And when you talk about my
Future ‘thons like
You’re my biggest fan
I realize once again how truly lucky I am