Oh, how different we are

I can't begin to describe how fantastic is has been to have Adam along for this journey. Yet, now that our miles are beginning to increase, I'm beginning to realize just how incredibly different runners we are. Here are just a few examples:

1. I like to run before work. By doing so, the run is out of the way and I can go about my lovely day. Adam, however, would prefer to run after work. He says it gives him something to look forward to.

2. I do not look forward to running. As stated above, he does. Big difference between the two of us.

3. I love to run a straight distance to meet our daily goal. After we meet that goal, I'm okay walking home. Adam likes to go out and back. Uh, no, thank you. I can't help but remember how hard certain parts of the run "out" were. I'd much rather not experience it again.

4. Hills terrify me, yet excite him. He loves to end his run by going up a hill. I like to end my run alive.

5. I like to drink water during the runs. Adam doesn't like to carry the water. This causes, yet, another problem, especially since the idea of carrying my own water does not appeal to me.

6. Adam is always enthusiastic about running. I'm enthusiastic about things like what we're having for dinner.

7. Adam likes to plan our next run immediately after we are finished with that day's run. I, however, would like to never imagine running again.

8. Adam wants to run the entire marathon. I just want to complete it ... in whatever form and fashion that may be.

Regardless of these differences, I'm realizing just how great running is for a marriage. At this point, we've probably ran over 90 miles together. When we run, it's just me and him, our feet hitting the pavement, and my thoughts of, "I hope I live through this one." With Adam, I honestly feel like anything is possible. Well, everything except actually running an entire marathon.

Hope

Hope ... such a small word, but carries so much meaning. After yesterday, the word now conveys a meaning that I'm pretty sure I will always connect to a special little boy.

Yesterday, I participated in "Braden's Race for Life and Miracle Mile" 5K walk. Braden has Neuroblastoma. He's such a little boy, yet he is taking on the battle of a lifetime.

There is so much in this world that I do not understand. I will never understand how and/or why children suffer. Yet, in the middle of all of my confusion, there is something I do understand. You can't ever give up. You have to hope. Miracles happen.

The walk was created to help with Braden's medical expenses. On top of Braden fighting cancer, his mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet, if you listen to his mom speak, you hear nothing but complete optimism and hope. It is absolutely unbelievable. No matter what circumstance she is presented with, she continues to remain positive with an "okay, what can we do" action plan. Over 1600 people showed up at the event to show their support and to show cancer that it had a big battle to take on. This is an incredible family and they are going to fight. That in itself, gives me hope

To be a part of an event of such magnitude provided me with this deeper appreciation of what we are all capable of. For Braden, I think we all should all live life with more optimism. More hope. More love. More laughter. More time with family. More time with friends. For Delice, we should all adopt her "okay, what can we do" attitude. If they can do it under these circumstances, then we should too. We should all live with the level of hope and love that the Hofens do.

After the walk, Adam and I ran 4 miles. It was a new path. Completely uncovered territory. It was one of the most gorgeous paths I had seen. In the middle of the run, we were given such a gorgeous surprise when we saw this.


So very unexpected and very much needed. Amazement is all around us. Sometimes, it comes when we least expect it. This is why I've come to appreciate running and why I absolutely love this life. After being a part of "Braden's Race for Life," I am so much more grateful for what I have. There is so much to be grateful for.

Goodbye, money

When I started running in January, I thought, "This is going to be so inexpensive. All I need is the pavement and my feet." Sure, in the beginning, running can be relatively inexpensive, especially when you don't know what you are doing. However, once the weather warms up and you're ready for races, the money flies out of your wallet.

Just the other day, I went to Kohls to update my running wardrobe (my primary running pants now fall down as I run - thought that I should invest in a new pair - I don't want to be that woman - you know the one that runs with her pants around her ankles - that look is not flattering and especially not on me). I walked out of Kohls with two new running outfits (including socks) and spent $83.00. That is a lot of money! On that same day, Adam and I registered for our next three races (10K in May, a 5K in May, and a 5K in June). That was an additional $156. That doesn't even include the running shoes, the i-Pod case so we can listen to music while we run, the water bottle water belt (makes me think of the fanny pack), and the reflector tape so we can run in the dark. And I thought this was going to be an inexpensive activity. Not so much.

If you are going to take up running, which I highly recommend, I just caution you ... be prepared to spend some money. It adds up.

Then again, when you cross the finish line of a race, you can't really put a price tag on how you feel. It makes it all worthwhile. Completely and utterly worth it.

Mountains in Missouri?

I strongly believe that I have the best experiences. I have been absolutely blessed by the people I have in my life, the opportunities I'm given, and what just happens to me. As Adam and I were driving home from our first 8K (4.9 miles) in Cameron, Missouri this morning, I realized just how true that is.

My goal for the 8K was the same as the one for the 5K ... finish it without stopping (not even stopping for a second to drink water). I'm going to have that same goal for all of the upcoming races. It's because my goal for the marathon is just to complete it. Up until then, I believe I need to make sure I run all of the other ones. I'm not a person that cares about my time. Being new at this running adventure, my goal is just to run. Today, we did exactly that in 55:26.

As we pulled into Cameron, I felt like I was right at home. Cameron is definitely a small town and I loved it! Being from Eldorado, I always feel like I belong when I'm a part of a small community. People say hi as you walk past them. You always get a smile. They have their dogs with them (unleashed of course) and everyone seems to know each other. It felt like a scene right out of a movie. However, Adam and I were a bit confused. Other than some orange cones, there was no indication that there was a 5K/8K April Fools Run starting in less than a hour. I was expecting the big "start" sign with the MC playing music. Um, not so much. Instead, we had the orange cones, spray painted lines on the road, and a woman with a megaphone.



The race started out like I expected. We were told that it would be mainly a flat course with some "gently rolling hills," which I later discovered meant some "enormous mountains." Much like the 5K, we had quite a few runners pass us and we were able to pass a few along the way. We were running along the street, across I-35, down by the hospital, which overlooks the mountain I had to conquer, and down a long stretch of isolated road, and back again. Some people were running solo, others in groups, some had their kids, and one even had her dog. Unlike the Snake Chase, there were no volunteers along the way encouraging us. All of the motivation had to come from within (granted, Adam provided countless encouraging comments along the way. So much so, that I thought I was competing in the Olympics).

We had moments where we were running directly against the wind and up a hill. I kept thinking about a quote I had recently read, "When you're running, the body isn't the one that gives up. It's the mind that gives up." I just knew that I had to get through the hard parts and not give up. It also helps to know that once you get up the hill, you're going to be going down. Aside from the wind, we running in 64 degree weather. It was gorgeous!

At the 5K half-way point, we lost all of the other runners and it was just the two of us running to the 8K half-way point (the other 8K runners were way ahead of us). In that moment, I just loved it. I was running next to my favorite person on earth and we were running in our first 8K. As we running to the next water station, other runners passed up on their way back. I can't begin to describe how inspiring and motivating it is to have others say "Great job," "You're doing it," or just give a smile or a thumbs up. You feel like a part of community that is incredibly supportive and encouraging. In that moment, you realize you all have a common goal ... to finish the race.

On our way back, it was obvious that we were two of the last ones (aside from an older man behind us). At one of the more difficult parts of the run (back up the mountain), I saw a father walking with his son, carrying another son in a pack on his back. When I saw that, I thought, "If he can do this with two kids, I can do this" and I just ran (while also telling him that it was incredible what he was doing). A few minutes later, we approached a woman, walking with a son, pushing another son in a stroller. When her little boy saw us, he started running. His mom told us that we provided him with "inspiration." We had a mile left and the little boy ran with us the remainder of the run (okay, I should probably mention that he ran ahead of us). As he ran, I was absolutely inspired. He could not have been any older than 6 and he was having so much fun. Since we were running along the road, I would say to him, "Stay over here" or "Move over a bit so you're away from the car." When he listened, I said, "Good listening" (the speech therapist is always in me). When I could see the finish line with the orange cones, I just said, "Keep going. I'm following you!" That little boy finished with me and Adam right behind him.

Another one of my favorite moments occurred after we crossed the finish line. Moments after we finished, the people recording our times stood up, folded up their lawn chairs, and put their clipboards down. That would be because Adam and I were the last runners to come in (only three parents were behind us, walking their toddler children). It definitely made me smile. That, my friends, is why you do not care about your time. If you did, that moment could have sent you into a deep depression.

As always, to finish a run is invigorating and overwhelming.

During the awards ceremony, Adam learned that he placed first in his age group. As he was accepting his award, he said, "I love no competition" (he was the only one in his age group).

Regardless, he earned that medal. Adam has been beyond encouraging. I know I married one of the most amazing men, but he continues to show me this level of love and support that means more to me than I can even begin to describe. With him by my side, I feel like I can accomplish anything. Even those mountains in Cameron, Missouri.



As we were sitting in the car, updating my facebook status, and talking about the run, the father of the boy that carried us to the finish line walked up with his son and said, "He wants you to have this." The little boy was holding his medal. As he handed me his medal, tears immediately filled my eyes and I said, "You want me to have your medal?" He nodded. For whatever reason, that little boy decided to give me the medal he had earned. To be a part of such a selfless and giving moment was more than I ever thought I'd experience because of running.

Little does Anthony know, but he provided me with another reason to say, "I have the best life and the best experiences."

Getting Better

Okay, so running is getting a bit better. I changed up my routine and discovered that I'm a morning runner. I do better when I hit the pavement early on in the day (around 5 am). Sure, it's still dark around that time and very creepy, but I seem to enjoy it. It's very hard to roll out of bed during that time, but so completely worth it.

Adam is in Indianapolis with his dad for the Final Four games, so I had to run without him today. In general, he makes everything so much better and running is not an exception. I'm so grateful that he has agreed to train with me. He keeps me accountable, motivates me, and inspires me. I'm looking forward to having my running partner back next to me. Those miles sure do seem like a lot longer when he's not there.

Our next race is on Saturday. We'll be completing in the April Fools 8K Run in Cameron, Missouri. That's 4.9 miles. I'm definitely more nervous for this run than I was for the 5K. My goal is to run the 4.9 miles in it's entirety without stopping. I've been running slower in the last two weeks so I have a feeling that it's going to take me over an hour to complete. To date, the longest I've been able to run was 5o minutes. I'm hoping that the excitement of the race carries me to the finish line. If the excitement doesn't do it, I'm sure Adam won't mind carrying me. That's what training partners are for, right?