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| my magic best friend |
Sunday I will be walking a half marathon. I have now done two 10Ks and a 5K - I cried when I walked over the finish line. It's a pretty emotional thing, this walking.
Ciara got me started. She asked me if I'd walk a Seattle Marathon (that's like 26.2 miles. . . ). I don't think I've walked that much at one time. ever. I supposed I've walked at least that much in my lifetime, but to walk it all at one time, before the sun goes down on a given day? That sound pretty challenging. So, what did I say when she asked? I said yes.
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| Ciara happy to be walking 7 miles with me |
Yes?!?!?! you say? Yes, I said yes. I trust Ciara and she was loving all the walking she was doing. And this was in June, so I thought I'd have enough time to train and I really wanted to do something since I retired from Theater. This was perfect timing (Ciara has a knack for having perfect timing for me - another day I'll tell you how remarkable and fantastic she is and how much I couldn't do any of this without her) - I was going through a change and this was healthy and something I did every day anyway; it was just *more* of it. And we started to walk for miles each week.
People's reactions are interesting; supportive, confused or incredulous. Supportive comes from those individuals that understand what it's like to have a goal and try to accomplish it. They know that I'm going through change, and this is one of the things that's helping me through that. Confused comes from those that know that I have never done this sort of thing before. Incredulous come from people like me (the me before I committed to doing a marathon) who think that walking that far is crazy.
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| so glad Trish crossed the finish line with me |
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| she loved it - really |
At first, the magnitude of the actual amount of miles that I've committed myself to seemed CRAZY! And I guess, it is a little bit. But I've now done two 10Ks and one 5K which add up to be more than a half marathon and I haven't died yet from all that exercise. And not only has Ciara been there, I have had the privilege to walk with my step-daughter, Lauren and my friend, Trish. Laughing and crying with them has been amazing as well! I couldn't have gotten through some of the races without my girls. They rock!
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| Ciara and I ready to take on more miles! |
I'm so excited for this weekend. I can't wait to cross the finish line in Vancouver, WA at the Girlfriends Half Marathon. The feeling you get when you cross the finish line is indescribable. It isn't something you can explain, it's something you feel, starting deep in and under your heart where it spreads outward, lifting you and filling every part of your body until the only way to release the energy is to cry and laugh - yes, both. It is the amazing feeling of accomplishment, yet another gift Ciara has given me.
So, is saying yes to a marathon crazy? Not to me. I get to finish this. I get to finish this with my best friend and she'll laugh and cry with me at the end and we will feel burst with pride - together - and it is awesome.
