I am pretty sure that not a soul on the planet
knows me more than my husband does. I like to tell him he doesn’t have a clue
about me… but let’s face it… he is usually right on target when it comes to
figuring me out. Like that time in pre-marriage counseling that I tried to fib
a bit on my love language…. Yeah. It is totally “Gifts” and I tried to claim it
was “words of affirmation.” He totally knew
that he doesn’t have to tell me I look great… just buy me the dress that makes
me look great and I’ll buy you the matching shirt and tie. Is this bad?
Probably.
Anyway… this story has a point. My husband KNOWS
that I can get myself into some pretty tough situations. When he first realizes
that I have made a slam dunk ehhhhh decision… he gets this look.
This look is a mixture between having the words, “CARLEY! What were you
thinking?!”sitting at the tip of his tongue and the cautionary glance of
waiting for me to pronounce my defeat. Never. Gonna. Happen.
I always cover up his look with my over the top enthusiasm. “Oh this is great!”
“I’m so excited!”
Well, Saturday, May 4, 2013 Coach gave me this
look. You see, since January 1st when I made the New Year’s
resolution to make every day count, and pump up the cardio I have been
searching high and low for a half marathon to run. Then I spent a good solid
month creating my 30 Before 30 list. I really wanted to run a half marathon
this year! Well, I would search on all of my fave running sites for a race to
enter. They were all either 200+ miles away, or $$$$. I did not want to have to
travel for a race, and I didn’t want to pay an entry fee as big as a mortgage
payment to RUN! Come on! I run every single day for FREE! Why must you charge
me $200 to RUN?! (Rant over.) I recently became a member of the coolest group
of runners. It is a South Georgia group called “Runners for Christ.” They host
lots of races from Macon to the deep south. You earn points for each race you
run. PLUS, you get to run for Christ, all while donating to local schools or
churches. LOVE THIS GROUP! Well, I noticed that they were having a small local
race that was going to be about an hour from my house. The race was advertised
like this: Run the 8 mile race, the 4 mile race, the 1.1 (Country mile) race,
or ALL 3 for a half marathon for one entry fee!!! Ummmm…. YES! No traveling, no
hotels, no time off, low entry fee, AND to a perfect group that deserves my $$$.
I signed up without any hesitation. I had already been training pretty hardcore
for the past 5 months. Hardcore meaning daily runs with one LONG run a week. I
was ready! I took it as a sign of this race just being meant to be.
Race day came and a cold front came rushing into
the south without any warning. Oh, and it brought the pouring rain with it. It
was 47*, and POURING! We get to the race site and it is in the country! I mean….
Far out! I remained calm. Then it was time to get my bib. I go to check in and
chat up with the person in charge. He tells me (with Coach standing right next
to me) that I can run all three races by stopping after each race, or just run
all the way through. However, if I decide to run all three, I would most likely
be the only one doing that. 250 folks and I am the only one wanting to run all
13.1 nonstop. Now, several folks were doing 13.1. Just breaking it up into 3
races. (Why? No clue.)
This very moment is when I got the look. I knew
my husband really really wanted to tell me that I had officially lost my mind.
I get no credit when it comes to these races. He is ALWAYS worried about me. I
guess it is love. I am sure holding back was painful, but all he said was… “You
sure you wanna do this?” I will admit, I am NEVER the first in a group of
runners. I like to hang in the middle to be sure of the route we are taking. This
meant that I was going to have to trust the tiny arrows that were placed out on
the road to lead me to the 13.1. So, with the look of great doubt from Coach, I
start my true Carley ways. “Oh yeah! This is going to be great! I am excited to
see the roads in this area! Plus, I’ll be the winner no matter what! Hahahaha.”
Well, I layered up, (it was chilly) set my watch
and hit the road. I was with a pack of runners for the first 8 miles. At the
finish line when everyone else was finished and resting for the hour until the
start of the next race, I was the soaking wet kid that ran right past the
booth. I had another 5.1 to finish! Now that it is over, and I am sitting in my
warm house with dry clothing on I can say the race was wonderful! The constant
dripping of water from my hat did not even slow me down. The rain was seriously
pouring down on me. When training, my longest run was last weekend and it was
only 10 miles. I finished that in 1:13. I was a little worried about the extra
3.1, but I had a feeling I was going to be OK. I finished the 13.1 in 2:21:14. My
legs started to feel tight at mile 11, so the last 2 were the hardest. I
finished the run with a smile! I kept thinking… I get to knock something off my
list already! I filled my iPod with some new NeedtoBreathe (pun slightly
intended!) and had it on repeat for the last two songs. I guess the fact that “I
am washed by the water” was playing is quite amusing now!
Coach’s unofficial job at races is to take
pictures at the finish line. Afterwards he admitted that he only got two
because he was really unsure if I was finished. It took 3+ hours for my first
half, and I looked like a beat up horse when I finished that one. So friends, I
only have 2 little iPhone pictures. However, it was pretty much the most
amazing feeling ever… I may or may not be addicted and already searching for my
next one! Well, 13.1.
Love love,
C^2
Congratulations! Huge accomplishment.
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