13.1

Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon. Running Like a Girl.

In just 4 days, I will complete my FIRST EVER 1/2 Marathon. It seems like just yesterday when I was writing about this in my "Shifting Energies" posting.

The time has come! I can't hardly contain myself.

I was running an easy 10K with my Nike Running Group in Danville on Sunday when I decided that I would dedicate each mile to someone/something - make it even more meaningful.



Here are my dedications - enjoy:

Mile 1 - For the Music
Let the Music Move us! I am a huge fan of Dr. PowerSong. I am mostly a huge fan because music has always inspired me and moved me in incredible ways. Music can take your workout from slow to "go." It can elevate your mood from low to fabulous. It can make you focus. It can do about a million, zillion other things. But one thing is for sure, it will get me movin' on MILE 1.

Mile 2 - For Food Intolerances/Colitis
As you all are well aware by now, I have struggled with this for the past 5+ years. I had no idea what was wrong in the beginning. I thought that "it was just how I was supposed to be." I listened to Doctors who told me to just take meds, this, that or the other. And then I found Leah. With her, we discovered this could all be changed with a change in diet. A year ago today (prior to her) I was "backing down" from any sort of 1/2 Marathon because my stomach didn't allow training. I am so proud that today I'm a changed person. This is because I have managed my food - it will keep me vibrant on MILE 2.

Mile 3 - For Goals
I have them. I am extremely goal-oriented, if you don't already know that. When I put my heart and mind to something, I get it done. I love the sense of accomplishment. I love knowing that goals carry you from one day to the next. I love knowing that I set this goal of completing the 13.1 miles. My goals in health, fitness & life in general support me on MILE 3.

Mile 4 - For Those Not Here Today
Those I've loved; gone and passed away. I will celebrate them on MILE 4.

Mile 5 -For My Family
I have the most amazing family in the world! From my Mom, Dad & brother, JJ to the family I was blessed to inherit by marrying Ryan! We have the cutest neices and nephews. I come from a huge extended family - they are all my heart! In a world where so many families don't even get along, I am so fortunate that I cherish mine so much. Even though most of them are hundreds of miles away, I run for them on MILE 5.


Mile 6 - For Missy
Yes, Missy gets her own mile! Why? Because she wanted to come so badly to run with me; it just didn't work. She was my "bestest" California friend while she lived here. I have a bond with Missy that is rare. There are very few people who come into our lives that are able to place a cloud around the heart. Missy did that to me, in a short amount of time. I miss her everyday. She has encouraged and supported more than she knows throughout this past year - stomach problems to running and all. She would send me texts from Chicago, "Miss your beautiful Guts." For my LD(B)BFF - who will be there with me in spirit - helping me achieve MILE 6.

Mile 7 - For the Pied Pipers
I'm sure by now you also know that I am the Pied Piper "leader" for the upcoming 2009 10.24 Nike+ 10K Human Race. This race, other than the NWM, has been my life since August. I have met and connected with so many fabulous people that I would not have had I not received the opportunity from Nike to be a US Human Race Ambassador. I thank God everyday for the opportunity to "spread the good running word." Our Challenge, the US Human Race Ambassador Challenge, will only count for those on my team who are in the US on race day. However, that does not change the fact that I am so proud that through Social Media I have been able to "meet," connect with and learn about people - runners - Nike+ users - from all over the world. My GOAL was first and foremost to make the connection, BUT it was also to have an impact on them. To inspire them. To get them saying, "I'm a runner. I love to run!" What I didn't expect was the opposite - they gave that all to me! For them, for the Pied Pipers - inspiration gets me through MILE 7! (PS. There is still time to become a Pied Piper - click HERE for how to do so!!)

Mile 8 - For Fiona & Reagan
You better believe I'm running a whole mile for my dogs! They are my babies. My heart. My soul. The 2 that I know no matter what, when I get home from a good or bad day, good or bad run - will love me. They will be excited to see me - their days are better when I'm around. They make me laugh (especially when the little Peekepoo growls and chases the Great Dane and when the Great Dane grunts and toots:)). They are our best friends. I can't imagine my life without them - they would love to run with me on MILE 8!

Mile 9 - For Faith, Hope and Love
Because you've "just gotta have it!" No matter what, if we have these 3 things, life will go on and life will be that much sweeter. Faith, Hope and Love carry me through MILE 9.

Mile 10 - For Success
Success is so sweet. Success is even more sweet knowing that you prepared for it. Success doesn't come overnight. You take in one day and then the next, building, planning and preparing for it. When it comes, it's nothing less than sweet. I'm not just talking about money and power for success - success can manifest itself in so many ways. Today I just pray for NWM success - the concept gets me through MILE 10.

Mile 11 - For Friends
They say you are a very lucky person if you can fill up one hand with people you'd deem "friends." My very best friends in the world fill up one hand...and people I'd deem "friends" overflow onto the next. This is a great feeling! Most of my best friends live hundreds of miles away. We don't need to talk everyday; we don't even need to see each other often. The one thing that remains, though, is our "easy friendship." We pick up right where we left off. We know each other inside and out. We appreciate each other and our busy lives. We value the time we get when we do see each other. If not for great friends like this, and for the great friendship of Mrs. Tracy Carroll (ALSO running her first 1/2 Marathon at the NWM) life would be much less fulfilling. My friends always pull through - and they pull me through MILE 11.

Mile 12 - For My Husband, Ryan
The miles are coming to an end.....it's not that I've left Ryan to the END, it's that I need to think of him most to pull me through it! I've said it once and I'll say it again, "Not only is Ryan my husband, but he's truly one of the best people I've ever met in my life." Most people could attest to this. I am so lucky that I married my best friend. We will celebrate our 1-year anniversary just a couple weeks post-NWM, on November 1st. Ryan makes me laugh and smile. He brings out the best side of me. He believes in me. He's my #1 FAN - always - (okay, except for (also) maybe my Mom and Dad!!) He supports me with everything in life. He loves me unconditionally. For his love, passion and huge heart - I'll make it through MILE 12.

Mile 13 - For "Running Like a Girl" - "Fighting Like a Girl"
"Running Like a Girl" is the NWM "Theme." "Fighting Like a Girl" is the song by Bomshel - my "Theme." Combine the two - it's an overwhelming thought. Working so hard has been anything but "girly." But I am proud to run like a girl, fight like a girl - be a girl! I always say, "My Sassies." I love strong, proud and sassy girls. I believe that a girl can do anything. Now I'm ready to "get to the finish line like a girl" - on MILE 13.

Mile .1 - For ???
Nope. We're not through yet. A half marathon is 13.1 miles. This .1 is very, very important to me. This is where I think about, contemplate, plan and get super excited and passionate about WHAT COMES NEXT? Will I train for another 1/2? Will I attempt to train for a full marathon? Will I choose an organization I am 110% passionate about and run for it? What will it be?! MILE .1 is TBD - and it's exactly THAT that will get me through it - I love this "forward thinking," this "what comes next in my Puzzle of Life!

CHEERS! See you at the finish line......