This song from Sugar Ray played in my head over and over , along with a picture of Forrest Gump running on wide open streets in the middle of nowhere (with beard and all..) for months, until I finally did it... I ran.
I had run a little bit here and there before but now I wanted to take it serious..I wanted to do the Turkey trot, 6.2 miles.
One day in October I was sitting on my bench outside and my neighbor invited me over , we did some catching up and I decided this girl is a godsend. . . Yep it's Lisa. I told her I wanted to do the turkey trot and she asked if i wanted to start running with her in the mornings..."Ya That'd be great!" Then she asked if I'd like to do the PF Chang Rock and Roll half marathon in Jan, with her...
GULP... "Sure." We started our runs, and I REALLY enjoyed them despite my aches and pains. Our conversations made the time pass quickly and I looked forward to getting up when it was still dark..just to feel that cold air, and see Lisa's smile.
November hit and one day out of the blue, Lisa text me.."Let's do the FULL marathon..I know you think I'm crazy but I REALLY think we can do it!" As I'm icing BOTH my ankles... I text "let's do it!"
So in less than 3 months we RAN and RAN, and somedays I felt like I was Forrest, (no beard) but certainly free.
So there we were and the starting line... giddy with laughter we toasted each other with our zipp fizz .... slid our large sunglasses on... (What were we doing here with ALL these ATHLETES!!!!) Amy Yetter was there with us... this girl knows what's up. The gun shot off and so did we... this was so big for me, (beside the fact I'd NEVER worn a tank top in public... don't worry em, nobody is looking at you.. EXCEPT for maybe the PAINTED on black tights, and that nasty blue GIRDLE you have on!!!)
It was fun... hard.. and fun. Listening to different songs as I ran, that reminded me of different people I love, usually funny memories. Seeing my FAMILY at at least eight different points!!! I love you guys! So proud of us.. and I've definately caught the bug!!!
Thanks to Josie, You've inspired me with all with your success, and you look hot! You ran around like a crazy woman getting All the pictures and cheering me on thru it all.
Master Trainer for kicking my butt in the gym, and helping me to believe in myself, asking me to not over do it..(I never listened) but thanks!
MOST of all, thank you MY Lisa.. you have made me see myself a little differently. You have been there for me thru a hard time... I will remember this time forever, the sound of our feet , our breathing and especially the sunrises! I'm counting on many more. . We never had to say much we'd just look over smile..and we knew. I love ya!!!
RAGNAR..here we come!!!
