Wednesday, March 6, 2013

"Gratitude" - Beastie Boys {Phoenix Marathon}

Grateful.

That's me.

I used to be able to sit down to blog and the words would just come.  Lately, I've struggled to put recent events into words. 

"Thank you" - just doesn't seem to cover what I am feeling.

Let me take a step back.  I'll give you a few examples.

* I was blown away when I got to meet [in real life] RAchelle [yes, the CAP on that A is supposed to be there] ;) 


How I would describe her four words:

HUMBLE
Thoughtful
Caring
FREAKINGspeedy

But she went above and beyond the call of any friend last Saturday and ran 18 of my 26.2 mile marathon with me. 


Here is [really] where I do not have the words.  She talked to me from mile 18-25 - calf pain a-blazing.  Telling me story after story.  Stories of triumph.  Stories of pain.  Stories of encouragement.  I have since spent two hours writing this down in my journal.  I know, Emily, it was a freaking race.  Well, no, sorry, it wasn't.  It was a lot more than a race.  In fact, it was barely a race.  I will treasure this day forever.  However, it certainly will not be because I freaking finally got a new PR.


* Grateful for the confidence this race gave me.  I now KNOW I can do a 3:09.  I'll get it.  I held back at the beginning which felt great.  Only to cramp from a muscle pull [incurred 10 days before race day] at mile 15.  Not awesome.  But......still.........grateful


* When Further. Faster. Forever.  highlighted me as their "Athlete of the Week". 


A huge honor for me.  This is an incredible community of athletes run by athletes.  I have "met" some of the kindest people though this group.

People Like . . . .

mcg_christopher who ran 13.44 freaking miles on a treadmill.  THEN.......donated $444 to the Sojourner Center.  The Domestic Violence shelter I ran for 24 hours to raise money for.

grateful.

* And that text I got from my Mom on Friday.  She knew the Doctor told me not to race.  She also knew there wasn't a chance in *&## I'd listen.  So she text me five words.

You. Can. Do. Hard. Things.
#wordtomymutha



What are you grateful for today?

30 comments:

Ironman By Thirty said...

3:09? Yeah. You freaking GOT that!

Congrats on the PR!

Raina said...

Very cool that you got to run 18 miles with such an inspiring runner! I have only followed you without posting comments, but I know you can do the 3:09. Nice to see you have the confidence to do it now :).

Jamie W said...

I am grateful for the ability to run period.... after being injured for a year. Its amazing. Congrats lady. Hope you feel fast!

Jamie W said...

I am grateful for the ability to run period.... after being injured for a year. Its amazing. Congrats lady. Hope you feel fast!

MCM Mama said...

Quite grateful that I'm running again after my recent calf strain.

You up for a drive to where NM and TX and CO meet? I'll be in that area for a week and would love to meet up (esp. since you keep putting off your DC visit LOL).

You go girl. I think of you every time I notice I have 444 followers on FB.

Char said...

Your Mum is awesome! She knows you inside out.

My list of grateful for today is -
Dry weather for my run
16k done before 6:30 am
Discounts on my shopping
and Lollies in the fabric delivery I got today.

Unknown said...

Congrats on the PR!

You wanna come to TX and run the Rocky Raccoon 100miler with me in 2014? It would be a walk in the park with all the miles you log! Just think of how cool the Texas Belt Buckle will be!

racing dawn said...

I am grateful for you! You inspire and motivate others to dig deep and pull out their beat. You are the kindest most thoughtful person. You deserve all the happy and good that comes your way. Love you lady.

And scratch out that 3:09. You have a 3:05 in you. I know it.

Emz said...

Yessssssssssssss

Emz said...

Will there be a superhero cake?
Ytb

McGovern (McG) said...

Keep killin' it and keep inspiring!!

Caroline said...

ok
Rachelle is wonderful.
What a great person.
I am happy for you she was there

You are way too humble and forgot to put the picture of you on the freaking podium....hello....2nd place in AG...way too humble...but I am not surprised...that is YOU

I am thankful for my awesome boys who made me so so proud today. It was awards day and that is a good day for mommy Caro...

derunningmom.com said...

LOVE this post!! You are truly an inspiration and positive role model to so many!!

LOVE the message from your mom...Mom's always know exactly what to say and what we need!

You're my favorite ROCKSTAR RUNNER!!

Britt @ Chicago Runner Girl said...

Awesome. Amazing. You can do hard things. Keep your heart fluttering and don't give up on the dream!

Laura said...

Congrats on the PB...I'm Canadian so we tend to say PB rather than PR.
As always...you rock!

CautiouslyAudacious said...

Sounds like things are going well for you! Let's see I'm grateful for an understanding husband that let's me have my moody days when I wish I could run more or that pregnancy wasn't so hard :-)

Jford said...

Congrats on the PB and nice abs in the picture!

fancy nancy said...

So many blessings!!! LOVE your mom!! That is the perfect thing to say! I am so thankful for my girls...for my hubs...and for legs and a body that can be pushed!

Unknown said...

You are so amazing and I am so happy for your shiny, new PR!

You are and will always be my inspiration!

Rachelle Wardle said...

Okay so glad I decided to randomly check your blog today. You know how much I love you and will cherish this weekend forever. Literally one of the greatest weekends of my life and I loved every single moment. There is not anywhere else I would have rather been than right by your side every step of the way. One step at a time. You are the greatest example of a runner and individual I have ever met. Thank you for inspiring, thank you for being the strongest person I know and proving that we are capable of so much more than we ever thought possible. I know you will never admit to how much pain you were actually in those last 11 miles but seriously such an inspiration.

You will get that 3:09, then 3:05, and then sub-3. I don't have a single doubt in my mind.

P.S. You never got the opportunity to beat me up at the finish line so I guess I better come back to visit real soon. ;)

misszippy said...

Love this--love your appreciation for all the good things in your life. It's a rare person with that gift. And love that you had a partner through the pain.

3:09 is so yours!

Anonymous said...

Grateful that I have been running for over 40 years...and never thought I was great for running marathons, ultras, IMs, centuries , etc. etc.

bobbi said...

I am grateful for runners like you. The runners who have every single reason on earth to not toe the line, or to dnf when it gets hard because it's the *smsart* thing to do, but who do NOT, because your incredible heart and giant will refuses to let you.

You rock. So hard.

coach dion said...

Nice running, and I'm sure if you trained like I (we) all know you can, then you could run a sub 3, and i bet it would be easy for you if it was on a treadmill...

Jill said...

I'm grateful for you, my friend.

I have never ever doubted your abilities. 3:09 is yours!!!

xo

Anonymous said...

I'm with Jill - I am grateful for your and your spirit and your passion and your honesty. Great going girl - that 3:09 is yours!

Unknown said...

I am grateful that you are posting again. I must have missed some and missed reading your updates. They always encourage me. Thank you so much!

Stefanie D. said...

I went to high school with Rachelle! I've even had the chance to run with her a few times over the last couple years. :) She is one of the best! I'm so glad you got to meet her. It's never a dull moment with her! She will talk your ear off! :) Congrats on a new PR!

Caratunk Girl said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE what your mom said "We can do hard things" That is awesome.

And that is so cool that RAchelle ran 18 miles with you!!!

Congrats on the PR!!!!!

Missy said...

I am grateful for you! You encourage and inspire on a daily basis and for that I am grateful.
You make people want to more for others and I love that!
Keep up your awesomeness!
Aaaaaand best race report ever.
Annnnnnnnnnd your mom is the bombdiggity.