If you would have told me one year ago that I would be running the Disney World half marathon the day after my birthday, I would've told you that you were crazy. And yet, that's exactly what I did yesterday.
Right now I am waiting in the Orlando airport for my return trip home. On the way to the airport my friend Amy asked me what I learned from training for and running the half and if there was anything I would've done differently. As I pondered her question, I couldn't think of anything I would've done differently. I was scared out of my mind to do this race, but that fear propelled me forward. Almost every morning when the alarm went off at 4:30 I said the same thing to myself, "Well this half marathon isn't going to train itself." And then off to the gym I'd go. All I wanted was to finish the race and once I decided that was my goal, I took all the necessary steps to do everything I could to make sure my goal was in my reach. It stressed me out, and for the past month, it was my main focus as I amped up my workouts and restricted my diet to do one last effort to be in the best shape possible.
I'm glad I was scared, because that fear gave me the drive to train. I'm glad I took the time to prepare my body (even though I am super sore today). So what did I learn?
I am capable of more than I thought possible. Like I said earlier, if you had told me a year ago I would have done what I did I would've laughed. I've always been the fat girl with the great personality. Being placed in this box has plagued me my whole life. The chubby girl with the pretty face. Although I would try to get out of that box, I was trapped by my own self- imposed limitations. I remember looking at others and longing to be them sometimes, with their lean bodies. A year ago I took the reins of my health and joined Weight Watchers. It was not (and still isn't) easy- but then again, most things worth doing and having aren't easy. As I started to see success, I remembered a bucket list item that had been floating in the back of my head for years. I wanted to run the Disney World half marathon. It was a crazy idea for someone who had NEVER wanted to run. But for some reason, the thought and goal was there and seeemingly unachievable. I watched my friend Amy run some half marathons and I thought ok, now is the time. 9 months ago I registered and paid for the race. I remember looking at the run Disney website and being terrified. I watched a YouTube video of someone's highlights from the race and cried. Cried because I never thought I'd be able to be the person to do it, cried because I wanted to be the person to do it. So I signed up and subsequently freaked out. Then life happened- I had a crazy year- my house flooded- I was homeless and I earned my masters degree. But I persisted and did something I never dreamed I would actually be able to do. It's opened numerous doors and possibilities for me.
Preparation is the key. When when I decided to run the half, I found a 20 week training schedule online. Because it was 9 months away, at first I was half hearted with my training. But soon the time came where I was 20 weeks away and I knew it was now or never. (The 20 weeks also happened to be the first week of school). And so I got up almost every morning and worked out, I went for long distance runs on Saturday morning, I ran at the Olympic Oval and watched the speed skaters practice. I began to believe that I actually might be able to do this. I also had a horrible workout on Thanksgiving where I seriously doubted myself and my abilities. But, still, I persisted. I always tell my students that the most important thing they can do is prepare, that they have no control over the outcome. I realized that I may or may not finish the race- but that each day I would try to do everything in my power to prepare. That it wouldn't be perfect, but I would make sure I was prepared.
Change your life today. About a year and a half ago I was returning from a trip to Orlando and was in first class! I had some skymiles, so I decided to upgrade, mainly because I was afraid of traveling and being uncomfortable because I was so large. I knew that my body wouldn't be in someone's personal space if I was in first class. So, I settled in and pulled my tray table from the side and discovered it barely fit over my body. One breath and the tray would move- it broke my heart because I was sick of living this way and I wanted to make a change. I didn't know what to do started thinking of different options. I finally decided to start Weight Watchers with a new found determination. I shared each step of my journey on Instagram for accountability. And I learned that there is no perfect time to change your life, there is just today. If you want to make a change, create a plan and then do it.
Just keep going. Y'all, running a half marathon was HARD! During the first mile I was plagued with thoughts of self doubt as my freezing body (it was 35 degrees when the race started) and already I was in pain. But the adrenaline of the moment, plus the thousands or people kept me moving. Soon, I fell into a rhythm and watched the sun rise. I watched the miles tick by, I ran through the Magic Kingdom at Disneyworld! I received countless texts of encouragement from my dear friends. I listened to music that made my heart happy. I ran some of the race with Amy by my side. I felt lifted by all the onlookers and their words of encouragement. I started to marvel at what my body was capable of. Then as I passed mile 10, it started to get harder- especially struggled mile 11 & 12. My legs were burning, we were running up a freeway ramp and all I wanted to do was stop. But, I looked around me at all my fellow athletes and I just kept going, and going, and going. When I crossed the finish line it was incredibly surreal and emotional. I have no idea what my face looked like, but I'm sure it wasn't pretty. All those months of training, all those years of being the fat girl, all those times I doubted myself- that girl crossed the finish line of a freaking half marathon.