Life Is For Living

The short story: I ran a half marathon.

The longer story: It was an amazing experience that I want to repeat again and again.

The much longer (for posterity’s sake) story: I wish I could bottle up everything I feel after completing my first half. Recording my thoughts here is my attempt to preserve the memories and the culmination of hard work and a lot of sweat. Also, Emilie gave me permission to publish this, my longest post ever.

Somewhere along the way last year I decided that I could wrap my mind around possibly running a half. I was well immersed in running culture and enjoyed the social aspects of running with friends and signing up for new and adventurous races. This time last year I was gearing up for my first 5-mile Memorial Day race and I was nervous, man was I nervous for those hills.

After conquering that menacing jump from running in my 5k comfort zone, I realized that I could run more than three or four miles. I continued to run in the blistering heat and humidity of summer and as the months passed by and the promise of fall approached, Jess and I found a 10k to sign up for. On a gorgeous fall night in September we ran our first 6 miles along the limestone trails of a small town outside of the city. We basked in the beauty of our surroundings and the accomplishment of running farther…and we wore headlamps to light the way!

In November we joined a group of friends and ran 7 miles off road through mud and forged gullies of waist deep ice cold water in the middle of Iowa. A small part of me was convinced I was not cut out for that kind of race, it was more up Janine’s alley.

I began to appreciate my body for what it could do and how it adjusted to the distance.  TJ was always quick to tell me that if I could run 7 miles I could run  13. I listened and started to believe him.  As soon as I did, resolve began to formulate. In December I signed up for the Lincoln National Guard Half Marathon.

Winter weather set in as I researched training plans. I bought more cold weather running clothes and vowed to get out and run despite crummy conditions.  In January I gave over my life to running and began my training plan. Each week began with conversations regarding mileage and schedules. We coordinated our busy schedules, which was often a pain.The mileage was manageable but time consuming. I was comfortable early on but aware of longer runs looming over me in the coming weeks. It had yet to sink in that my legs would carry me forward and farther week after week. In time I learned that with the help of dear friends and TJ’s encouragement, I could conquer 8,9,10,11, and 12 mile runs.

Some miles were run in the warm sun, others against strong wind. We trudged through snow, and leapt across puddles. We were rained on, pelted with sleet and I would not trade those runs for a climate controlled treadmill. Though there were a few of those runs, unbearable as they are. There were late nights at the gym and early mornings most saturdays all for the satisfaction of being able to cross off the run for that day.

My miles were evenly split between solo runs and the company of good friends. Sometimes all I needed to cure a rough day was my running shoes, my ipod and the open road. Running alone gives me clarity and leaves me feeling refreshed. Other days I needed the added motivation of a running buddy. They don’t come much better than Becky or Jess. Those girls saw me through countless miles and listened to me rant for hours. Running together each week enabled us to stay up to date on each others’ lives. We broke up, started dating, figured out what we wanted and what we didn’t like, we applied to programs, we planned vacations, we recovered from life’s knocks all the while covering miles across every part of this city.

I cannot adequately describe the gratitude I felt at the end of each long run accomplished with the help of these girls. It is a beautiful thing to share in the joy and satisfaction of conquering those miles together. At the same time, due to scheduling conflicts, a few of my longer runs were done without company. With no one to hold me accountable to run the entire distance but myself , I set out and conquered my first 8 and 11 mile runs. It was a real test of perseverance and will power to keep putting one foot in front of the other on an otherwise deserted trail.

For the half, I was fortunate enough to run with Becky and to to benefit from her past experience with this course as well as the distance in general. For the most part the miles flew by, well except for the last two. It is hard to not have an ear to ear grin when people are lining the course holding signs, cheering, handing out gummi bears and orange slices, blasting 80’s jams,  and telling you to keep going.  The thought of stopping was not an option because of these people, and because of the months of dedicated training I’d put into those 2 hours and 16 minutes.

Before my mind could fully comprehend the miles my feet had covered, we were approaching Memorial Stadium. I was completely overcome by the moment as I ran alongside the stadium knowing that a short run through the tunnel and out onto the field was all that was left of my 13 miles. It was surreal but very real at the same time.  I’m sure not sure the members of the National Guard that lined the pathway saw my tears but they were streaming in full force and I gave in to the emotion. As I crossed the finish line and received my medal I scanned the crowd for Becky who finished about 30 seconds ahead of me. As soon as I found her I loudly announced I was crying and she gave me a big hug which signalled the go ahead for some more sobbing.

Completing a long run always produces a definite sense of self satisfaction and accomplishment as does achieving a new mileage goal. Completing the half and being able to cheer on TJ, Josh and Cassie as they completed the full, filled my heart to the brim. As each of them turned the final corner and ran into sight, I was overcome with gratitude that they made it. I was as happy for them as I was for myself because I knew of the dedication and training that had brought them to this point.

Bottom line (because I feel like I could go on forever): training for this half marathon was an incredibly fulfilling and satisfying experience and I am eager to do it again.

I have been blessed with truly amazing friends in my life.

Jess and I could not be more different  if we tried. Our paths crossed a few years ago when we both relocated to Omaha. Since that time, we evolved into running buddies and good friends.

She has been deeply invested in my relationship with TJ and has listened and advised over the years.  When TJ proposed I think she was more excited than I was! True to form, Jess asked if she could throw us an engagement party to celebrate.

She and Josh created a night of moustaches and lips. Guests were able to enjoy pinning the lips/moustaches on giant poster sized versions of our faces, eat lips/moustache cake, apply lipstick and smooch a card or draw their best facial hair and write us a message, and take  a quiz to see how many famous moustaches and lips they recognized.

There were questions about us laid out at each table. Later into the night, friends had a chance to guess the answer before we were trusted with a microphone and dished out the facts.

It was fantastic to have so many people come out to show their love. We were joined by co-workers, friends from church and school, lovely ladies from the Joslyn and some of our family. There were even a couple of first time introductions to friends I had yet to meet. Much to our delight, a few of our favorite little people came too.

I am so thankful for generous friends and for those who were able to attend. The prospect of getting married is exciting for many reasons but part of what I will enjoy the most is the chance to bring friends and family together. With that said we booked the temple for Saturday August 3rd!

A dear friend often refers to her gratitude journal which she reads and reflects on when those pesky challenges come knocking. It is probably a little more meaningful than my ‘words board‘ on pinterest.

Tonight I need to use my blog as a gratitude journal because I need to record my blessings and I want to testify that our Father in Heaven is aware of me and you and He has a great love for us. When we stop and think about it, His hand is easy to see, even on the most trying days.

I am thankful for parents who love me and are willing to field phone call after phone call and incessant texts. I am indebted to three handy men who changed a flat tire and survived a crappy jack. I am thankful for Larry who patched my tire and gave me a hug instead of a bill when I picked up my car. I am in awe of friends who freely offered to give me a ride even though it would be way out of the way. I am grateful for a sister who let me drop her off at work today and drive her fancy car. I am thankful that I was able to run in a short sleeved t-shirt at 6pm and experience a little piece of heaven. I am grateful to have a testimony of visiting teaching and to be given the chance to serve someone else and think of their needs instead of my own. I am thankful for prayers offered on my behalf and answered by those who love me.

I am reminded that life is good, even when it is full of challenges and things that make my heart heavy.

So we got engaged, not at the Cheesecake Factory, but that is where we finally got around to taking a picture. If you read this blog you already know about this latest development in my life though. Can I say that this week has been completely bonkers. It would have been hectic with or without an engagement. Basically I feel like a really happy chicken running around with my head cut off and I’m wondering if there is such a thing as “engagement brain.”

You know how pregnant women can tend to be forgetful and absent minded, present but not really there? I’m wondering if that applies to engaged women too because I feel all of those things! I am also really thankful and excited at the same time so please don’t think I’m complaining about my gentleman friend proposing because I am sure happy that he did! I’m simply wondering if there is a pause button somewhere for life and my brain because both seem to be racing at the moment.

For the first time in oh about 10 years I’m doing math homework right now. I am prepping to take the Praxis in a few weeks, and boy oh boy are my math skills r-u-s-t-y. Here is where I admit that I took foreign language classes in college to cover math requirements. That means I haven’t done textbook math since high school!

On Wednesday night we had the opportunity to go to a dress rehearsal of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. TJ was offered the tickets at work and knew that if I went to any production this year, it would be this one. This opera was redesigned by Omaha artist Jun Kaneko and was to be the crowning jewel of this year’s opera season in Omaha. I have browsed a book whilst at the Joslyn chronicling Kaneko’s design process and was fairly enamoured with the book alone.

I was in heaven from the get go and thankfully he thoroughly enjoyed his first

opera.  He discovered and enjoyed the fact that bass opera singers exist, this guy had the lowest.voice.ever! It was amazing. My favorite aspects were the bold set which was made up almost entirely of digital projections of Kaneko’s drawings. The bright colors reminded me of Chihuly glass which is always a plus in my book. He also designed the most adorable bird costumes, another moment of sheer delight came when half a dozen children came on stage bouncing up and down as little chicks. I may or may not have cupped my face and squealed.

It was humorous and visually stunning, the musicians and artists were equally talented. We were so lucky to be able to attend for free and to top it off, we both got a call during the second act that school had been cancelled the next day (would be two) due to the impending snow storm. Not a complaint in sight about this week!

I am thankful for the love of friends, family and one boy who knows me inside out.

This cute video is from Small Fry (a children’s lifestyle blog….whatever that means).

Growing up when I stayed home sick I always watched The Price is Right.  

As an adult when I stay home sick, I feel like I should take advantage of the day and get a million things done. Doing so defeats the purpose of staying home to rest and get better though!

By the end of the day yesterday, the kids were starting to comment about my being sick and I noticed a few of them liberally applying sanitizer on their own accord. I figured I’d stay home today.

Though I cannot be bothered to walk downstairs to watch tv, and sleeping in seems to be a skill that I no longer have, I am nestled in bed with a cup of tea. Might be time to trade perusing pinterest for some progress on my sunday school lesson.

What do you do when you are sick?

I happened to spot this adorable candy bowl on a quick toiletries run at Target last night. I managed to leave it on its shelf but have thought about it multiple times since then.

TJ challenged me to give up Target for lent…it is a really terrifying but probably good idea!

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

                                                          Ralph Waldo Emerson