12k

Yesterday was the big race. Before I start, I decided not to pay the $30 to run in the "official" 12k race but instead mapped out my run around Peoria. My parents live out there and they watched my girls so I could run. 


Well, going into the run knowing exactly what streets to run to and what not, I was really nervous. I grew up in Peoria and drove these streets a lot. After mapping the run, I sat and looked at the loop. I couldn't believe I was going to run that. It seemed a lot longer than I thought. Before running I didn't know the mile markers. Each street is a mile a part, same with the major avenues. I started getting REALLY intimidated! As I arrived to my parent's house I had a lot of thoughts running through my mind. Most of which where excuses not to run. (I'm really good at making excuses.) As I headed out the door and did my warm up I didn't feel any better. I just felt so overwhelmed. It seemed so unreal to me that me, this fatty mom (not so fatty anymore but that's how I still think of myself) who hasn't really worked out in 5 years was going to run SEVEN AND A HALF MILES!! SEVEN AND A HALF?!?! Oh my goodness. It was unreal. Well I got to my starting point, turned my music on, and headed out.  My run started at my parent's house and went east for 2.5 miles. I would then head north for a mile and then head back west for the 2.5 miles and made another loop around this neighborhood to make it 7.5 miles. Anyway, that first 2.5 miles was the intimidating part. I have had friends who lived down that way and driving there seemed far, as a teenager. And now I was going to run it!? The first mile is always the hardest. Getting the muscles warmed up and joints too. But before I knew it I was down 2.5 miles and made my way up the one mile north. (Here is a link to a map, not sure if it works but maybe if you saw the route it would make sense?) After finishing that 2.5 miles, it really all became easy. Easier I should say. I became more mentally tough and decided that I would finish this race. As I hit mile 5, I remember getting a really bad side cramp. I tried working it out as I ran but it didn't help. So I decided to stop running. As soon as I stopped running, my knees, ankles, shins, everything started to ache. I picked up my pace and the pain went away. I then knew I couldn't walk. Fast forward to the last mile. There were several points in that last mile where I kind of got emotional. I just couldn't believe what I've been able to transform myself into. For years I've struggled with my looks and insecurities and now I am RUNNING 7.5 miles. It was so amazing. I felt so proud of myself. Accomplished is a better word. Either way, I was doing something FINALLY. Finally doing what I said I was going to do. I've always had troubles with motivation to work out. I'd do something for a month and then completely stop. And so now, to have been able to lose the weight I have already and to be running the most I have ever ran in my life, I was so....unstoppable is the word that comes to mind. I ran faster. I sprinted that last mile. I felt AMAZING. When I finished I let out a big whoo-hoo and a few tears as I walked back to my parent's house. Man, that walk back HURT! haha Every muscle and joint ached so bad. But I busted out a few more fist pumps and who-rah's and walked inside my parent's house. I did it. I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!! No word can describe my feelings. I cannot believe I actually did it! I ran the 7.5 miles in an hour and 15 minutes. Average pace was 10 minutes a mile. 


I'm so motivated to continue and pursue that marathon! I know exactly what I need to do to get there and I cannot wait until I can write about my marathon run like I'm doing now with my 12k. CANNOT WAIT!