There's Always a Purpose

This is the week that brings this journey to a close.

Over the past couple of weeks, I used this blog to share my journey to the Zooma Florida Half Marathon. I had 13.1 miles of work to do and this blog was a way to help me stay accountable.

Running is my happy place. Learning to find joy in the little things will create opportunities for even better things.

Beautiful Evening Walk with the Hubby

Intervals
I had a few short runs on the Nike Run App. One was a sprint interval workout. I was scheduled to complete five 400m runs. There was a two-minute break between each run. I ran this same workout five weeks ago. The results excited me. I saw progress. Remember what I said last week...consistency is key! 

I was lucky enough not to have to complete the run alone. My mini me, Maddison, joined me on the track and completed my sprints with me. It's always good to run with Maddison because she sprints off ahead of me and gives me something to work for. Hard work never hurt anybody. It reminds me of the saying, "if you're the smartest person in the room, you need to change your circle." Well, if you're the fastest person in your running group, you need to change your group. Iron sharpens iron, so find you some iron.

I also had my teenager out there. I reminded her over the weekend that she is scheduled for a race on November 18 so I have been trying to get her body moving. Every little bit helps. The race will still be a challenge but her body won't go into a complete shock. She was sick but still got out there. You won't always feel like it but sometimes, you just have to get it done.

#NoExcuses

Benchmark
We've talked about benchmarks or check points several times during this journey. This week was a benchmark week. I decided that since it would likely be the last one, I would go back to location where I completed the second benchmark. The location was much different then the location where I ran the other two benchmarks. Those were nice and flat but this location had hills.

Sometimes, you'll notice that hills and valleys create for a challenging journeys. The highs and lows aren't always predictable. But in the end, once you get to the finish you are reassured that you made it and if you made it once, you can make it through again. Well, I decided that I needed to challenge myself and to go back to the hills and to defeat them.

I crushed them!

Race Day
It's over!

I love to wear fun outfits when I run half marathons. They make me happy and they give the people around me something interesting to focus on. Well, after I packed a variety of outfits, I settled on a SuperGirl theme. I'm so glad I did because I needed super powers to get me through.

I arrived at the start line seven minutes before the gun went off. I had to use the bathroom. I knew I had a two hour stint ahead of me so I needed to get it done before I peed myself on the course. By the time I got through the line and was done, I had 30 seconds before the start. Nothing was started on my phone. No music. No tracking. No motivation on the go app. No wireless headphones connected. No Garmin location set. I was a mess. The gun went off and I was still getting everything started and couldn't find my pacing group. Oh well, we were off and I needed to get moving. So I started moving.

By mile seven, I was ready to quit. I saw a bench and thought, "can I just sit here and have someone come back and pick me up?" Since I didn't know where I was I couldn't have had anyone come pick me up. All I knew is that I was somewhere inside a state park. Besides, I had two little people waiting for me at the end so I guess I had to show up there for them, right? 😔 Quitting is not an option!

A Finish Line Note from the Teenager

I kept moving along and just put one foot in front of the other. Less than ten minutes later, I heard a lady say "thank you for pacing me..." I couldn't believe it. At that moment, there was new meaning in my run. I wasn't running for me. I was out there, right where I was, so that I could help someone else get across that finish line. For the next five or so miles, we stayed close to each other and I brought her in, with cramps and all. We finished #100 and #101. WhooHoo!!

Cynthia - My Running Angel

This was the most mentally challenging race I've ever run but I'm so glad I did it. I finished! And finished strong! Read more about the impact that this race had on me.

I kilt the sand!!!

The Finish was the Best Part ☺

I'm still Half Twisted and will continue to run. To stay mentally and emotionally stable. To have committed time to myself. To have quiet time with God. To encourage, motivate, empower and inspire others.

13.1

Sunday Morning Post Race Recovery Run with my 💓💙💚💜💝