One year ago, I heard about the Rock N Roll race series coming to Savannah. One year ago, I was pregnant, uncomfortable, and not feeling very much like myself. One year ago, I craved a challenge. I let the idea of signing up for this race roll around in my mind, although I seriously doubted it would happen. I wasn’t a runner and didn’t think I could take on such a goal.

Nine months ago I started the Couch to 5K program. Nine months ago, I fell in love with running. Nine months ago, I felt the allure and couldn’t get the thought of this race off my mind. Nine months ago, I determined I would race this race.

Two days ago, I ran my first half marathon. Two days ago, I witnessed my body do something a year ago I thought impossible. Two days ago, I shocked myself.

It all started bright and early with a 4 am wake-up call. I fixed myself up a cup of coffee in the hotel and got dressed before heading to the mall shuttles to take us over to the race course. Our bus got lost for a bit, but I didn’t mind the extra long drive. In my mind, it kept me out of the cold and allowed me to leisurely eat my pre-race meal.

Once we finally arrived (after quite a few detours and  confusion), Peter and I walked around to kill some time before the race and attempt to stay warm. The couple of hours we had passed relatively quickly and before I knew it, I needed to head over to my corral for the start.

Despite the large crowds, the race itself didn’t feel too packed and the wave starts made everything a lot less hectic than I anticipated. About 10 minutes after the official start, I made my way up with my corral to take on my first half. And I was off!

I instantly felt fantastic. It didn’t take the typical mile or two to feel warmed up. I settled into a groove and when I saw my pace felt very comfortable at 8:40 minute miles I kind of got nervous. I didn’t want to go out too fast! But I couldn’t slow down. And I didn’t slow down. In fact, my pace kept picking up.

• Mile 1 = 8:41
• Mile 2 = 8:37

The race atmosphere, bands playing, cheerleaders cheering, and locals coming out to give their support kept me going with a smile on my face. Miles 3 through 7 passed by in a blur as I just took in the entire experience.

• Mile 3 = 8:35
• Mile 4 = 8:36
• Mile 5 = 8:31
• Mile 6 = 8:22
• Mile 7 = 8:27

Then we hit miles 7 through 9. Almost that entire stretch was wall to wall people cheering as you ran past. Truly amazing!

I can’t even describe the surge of energy and drive I felt during that portion of the race. I wondered if I would hit a wall soon, but I kept on trucking.

• Mile 8 = 8:21
• Mile 9 = 8:16
• Mile 10 = 8:11

After the ten mile mark, I glanced at my Garmin. I knew I would hit my secret goal of under two hours, which comforted me because I thought there was no way I could keep the pace I had going. I had never run this fast for such a distance.

I ran mile 11 in 8:21 and noticed how good I felt. At that point, I decided to just give it my all. Things had gone well so far and I felt really good, so why not let my body achieve something unimaginable for me? I didn’t have much longer and told myself I could handle anything for just a couple more miles. I bolted.

• Mile 12 = 8:02
• Mile 13 = 7:49 (holy cow!!!)
• extra .2 on Garmin = 1:28 (7:07 min/mile pace)

I wanted to finish strong and finish strong I did. I crossed the finish line with tears in my eyes from the overwhelmed emotions and my arms held high.

With an official chip time at 1:50:08. 1:50:08!!!

I completed my first half marathon. And I can’t wait to do another…then another…then another. Who knows what is next? I just know I want to celebrate this sweet victory a little longer…

• What’s a goal you used to view as impossible, but have since accomplished or work towards now? Or what’s a goal you secretly want to accomplish?
• How was YOUR weekend?!

Morning! I’m in my post half-marathon high and drawing out the celebration a bit before the drive home I’ll be back with a full recap tomorrow. Until then, please welcome Erin from the blog Creative Soul In Motion as she shares her self-love reflection story.

I never worried about other people’s opinions. I walked in the rain barefoot. I prank called cute boys. I wore crazy outfits and spoke my mind and it was great.

But then High School came along and with it the pressures of fitting in, anxiety over meeting new people and making new friends. Suddenly I didn’t know who I was or anything about myself. Suddenly I second-guessed every decision, friendship, relationship, interaction… every step in any direction.

I didn’t know who I was. And because I didn’t know who I was I couldn’t love myself.

Now, I had a great High School experience. I made a lot of friends and did really well in school, but I could never break free of the pressure to be perfect and to fit in. Then came college and I found myself moving backwards rather than forwards, even more lost and confused than before; I was in a new city where I didn’t know anyone, pursuing a major I wasn’t sure about and trying just as hard to be “normal”.

I used to be scared to stand up for myself and speak my mind.

I used to be scared to be bold, to be different, to be unique.

I used to be scared to be myself.

For more than five years I didn’t really like myself. I didn’t see myself as beautiful, valuable or worthy and honestly it was a horrible feeling. Then one day, when I found myself crying in my car for the 100th time, I decided that I was done. I was tired of feeling worthless and not believing in myself. So, I made a few changes:

I found the courage to leave a bad relationship

I fell in love with a wonderful and supportive man

I took a chance and went to therapy

And because of these changes I found an amazing well of confidence, passion and strength within myself. I finally saw myself for who I really was and began to love and accept myself.

Now, I won’t go into details about my ex because that’s just not fair and it’s really not the point. To be blunt, I was miserable but I pretended everything was fine because I didn’t want to give up on the relationship even when I knew it was beyond repair. Essentially our relationship was built on fake smiles, daily fights and a complete lack of support or encouragement. We were just putting up with each other
because we had been together for so long and didn’t know how to break it off.

After forcing it to “work” for over three years I came to the decision that I couldn’t keep putting myself second. I didn’t want to bite my tongue from saying something just because he didn’t agree. I was tired of hiding my feelings, dreams and desires. I didn’t want to be with someone that didn’t believe in my potential.

There is only so much you can do for love before it breaks something deep inside of you. Before I could do anything though I needed to find courage…

Courage to make a change and do something for myself

Courage to believe that I was making the right decision

Courage to look into the future and see something better and brighter

Courage to stand up for myself and speak my mind

Thankfully there is a happy ending: I left a bad relationship and fell in love with my best friend and study buddy, Josh.

Josh turned out to be the best thing since sliced bread. We have been together for almost 4 years and throughout the last few years he’s taught me how to laugh at myself which has helped me overcome my fear of failure.

For as long as I can remember I have always tried to be perfect. Wanted to get an A+ on every assignment, every test and in every class and have everyone like me. At the same time I tried to hide my own personality - my silliness, boldness and passion. I thought that it was the only way for people to like me – to be the best and never show weakness.

Then Josh came along and with his gregarious and supportive family I realized how important it is to laugh at yourself and how wonderful it is to be different. Since then I have felt as though a burden has been taken off my shoulder. I no longer have the responsibility to be perfect. Now I laugh when I fall in Sports Conditioning Class, and I dance in the streets and I’m not afraid to wear bold colors or stand out from the crowd.

Let me tell you, life is so much better now that I have learned to laugh and embraced who I truly am – someone that is bold and unique and proud.

Even though Josh and his amazing family have taught me so much, I knew that there were some things I needed more help with and needed to seek “professional help”. I know some people are hesitant to see a therapist but I am so happy I did because talking to someone was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

My therapist, who was actually a teacher at Bryant, helped me talk through issues that had kept me up at night for years, work through pain that I couldn’t overcome and helped me deal with anxieties and insecurities that could freeze me in place. She gave me a safe place to openly talk about my worries and frustrations and it felt great to open up.

Through our sessions, I began to trust myself again, to realize how beautiful and strong I was deep down and to push past the negativity that tried to hold me back.

I used to be scared. All the time. I was scared of myself, of the future and of the unknown. Now, I am brave.

and courageous and strong.

I’m proud and happy and I love myself.

• When have you ever felt pressure to be someone different than yourself?