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Blue and Yellow for Boston Wore the #RunForBoston picture as a run bib
and my one and only 26.2 shirt in honor of the BM
I’ve gotten a couple comments and emails about reposting my picture and that is perfectly ok!! Feel free to repost this picture if you would like!!
#PrayforBoston #RunnersUnite #RunforBoston
I know I already posted once but my mind is reeling…There are just no words to express how I’m feeling tonight as I head to bed…
My heart is heavy, my eyes are filled with tears, and I just can’t understand why someone would want to do something so senseless and harm so many people today.
Over 100 hurt
2 killed… including an 8-year-old boy
Some runners, some volunteers, many spectators
A day that was for many the chance of a life time; they had managed to qualify to run the Boston Marathon and this was it… it was race day… their hearts were full of joy…
Amid all of the celebration, smiles, accomplishments… there was someone who’s heart was full of evil… I cannot even comprehend why they felt the need to create shock, chaos, and overwhelming sadness…
I will never understand why things like this happen, but I am sure glad for those heroes, the first responders, the runners who continued until they reached the hospital to donate blood, the police who will not be getting any sleep tonight as they continue the investigation…
I feel helpless and like there is nothing I can do to help… but even those of us who did not run Boston, have never qualified, or will never qualify, have felt the devastation because runners are a community… a family… and right now we are all coming together to do what we can wherever we may be…
Tomorrow wear a race shirt or wear blue and yellow
Run tonight or tomorrow to honor those devastated by today’s events
Post a picture #prayforBoston
That is what I did… I gathered my running shoes and created a picture because that is all I felt like I could do … I will be praying for Boston, for everyone who had to go through this awful ordeal today, and for the family and friends of those affected by the horrific bombs that went off today during the Boston Marathon… #runnersunite!
Well, I just got home from work and was prepared to blog about my 2.62 mile run in honor of the Boston Marathon, but as I turned on my computer to read up on the last part of the race, my heart dropped to my stomach… I honestly have no words… Tears instantly came to my eyes as I saw the story…I am sad to read about the explosions and sad and angry that there are people in this world that would even think about doing something so awful to other human beings. I seriously don’t even know what to say… I am sorry to the family and friends of those people who were killed or hurt! I am praying for each and every person who was affected today!!
Ok, so this isn’t the rest of my race report but it kinda sorta does have something to do with my first half marathon and this past week. I’ll start out by telling you about a sad sight/experience I had as I was getting ready to leave the race last Saturday.
My parents and I were walking towards the parking lot and were walking along the finishing stretch… I was cheering on everyone I could by name since it was on their bibs. I was still feeling a little out of it and totally happy and excited about what I had just accomplished! Then I saw it… an ambulance. As we got closer I could see that someone had collapsed less than 100 yards from the finish line! The medics were desperately trying to give her CPR and get her to breathe! They were giving her CPR for what seemed like forever and finally put her in the squad and raced her to the Nashville hospital.
All I could keep thinking was “This is supposed to be a happy day!” It was sad and unexpected and something I had never seen before… it was very scary. I thought about her and prayed for her throughout the day and couldn’t get that image out of my head. It was later confirmed that she had passed away! Why God? She had family cheering her on, she was healthy and volunteered her time and was making a difference in other people’s lives! I don’t know why it was her time to go but it got me thinking.
First, I had never been so grateful that I had had my heart tested in the week leading up to my first half marathon! Yes, that could have been anyone out there, including me! So, please, if you haven’t had a physical or had your heart looked at and are running… GO GET IT CHECKED OUT!! It’s worth spending the money in the end to make sure you will still be alive to share your special memories with family and friends!
Also, I have been taking a lot of things for granted including my relationship with God. He has blessed me with so much and I have so many things to be thankful for! I am healthy and getting stronger! I have parents who would and do help me out if they can and will make an effort to come to things and support me when it matters the most. I have siblings that although at times can annoy me, are there for me if I am having a bad day (most of the time). I have a boyfriend who supports me in anything I do and can see past my faults. I have jobs that keep me on my feet financially and a degree that I can fall back on if I need to. I have a brain that works properly and motivation to keep me going when things get hard. I have an awesome GOD who created me and all these wonderful people I have in my life and is there for me when I feel the world is crashing down all around me.
The list goes on and on… but I am so thankful for everything! This week has been an eye opener and I continue to pray for that lady’s family. Don’t take things for granted! Tell people in your life how important they are and how much you love them!
Any day can be thanksgiving day… what are you thankful for?
PREVIOUSLY: Women’s Running Magazine Half Marathon Race Recap Part 1: Traveling and The Expo
Ok, so I know I said in the last post that this would be “Part 2: The Race” BUT, I changed my mind 1) because I’ve picked up a few extra hours at work, 2) I chose to watch my evening of Thursday night TV instead of write up my race report, and 3) now I’m tired!
BUT I did promise you that I would take a picture of the “Ultimate Goodie Bag” so here it is:
The bag came with the pink shirt and a few samples… I bought the jacket and sweaty band.
So, I got up around 4:30am on Saturday Morning (September 25th) and stayed up… shut off my alarm since it wasn’t supposed to go off til 4:50am, and got ready. I ate 1/4 of a bagel with peanut butter and drank lots and LOTS of water! I made sure I had everything and we were out the door by 5:30… except I didn’t have everything! We had to go back up to our floor of the hotel because I completely forgot my Nike+ sensor that was in my old pair of shoes (since i was wearing my new pair). I had no idea if they’d have every mile marked or not… remember its my first half! Then we were out the door and on our way!
I can’t really remember if I was quiet or talkative on the way there because I was really nervous… maybe I was both… but I was never so grateful to have my parents there with me because I had no clue what I was getting myself into!
We found a parking spot but they had “special event parking” for $15 instead of the $7 the website had told us but we paid the fee and walked around the corner to the start area… we got there pretty early and there weren’t any crowds so I took the opportunity to use the porta pot even though I knew I would have to go again before the start of the race.
The start/finish line was right in front of the Country Music Hall of fame and I thought it was cool how the windows were like the keys of a piano!
I decided to take a video to kind of introduce myself to you all a bit… a couple of you have asked me how to pronounce my name this week…
it’s Zuh-net(like a basketball net)-uh … I say it in the video:
Ok then… can you tell I’m really REALLY really nervous?! (and tired) lol Also, I lied in the video! I didn’t mean to…I was so emotional and excited and happy and not even thinking about you guys at the finish… sorry, but its the truth… so I didn’t get another video! Hope you can forgive me! ;)
Right after taking the video I overheard the group behind me say they wanted to pray before they headed to their corrals so I asked if they would mind if I joined them… It was awesome! Then I took another potty break, but had to wait in line this time for about 5 minutes. I also decided that I didn’t want to carry my new fuel belt handheld because it had looked like they had plenty of water stations and I didn’t want to carry something like that after only carrying it for about 2 miles before Saturday. So, I strapped on my SPIbelt with my cell phone and one tri berry GU since they had a GU station as well around mile 6 or so and handed my bag and handheld to my dad.
After getting loosened up a bit and doing some breathing exercises to calm myself (and giving hugs and kisses to my parents) i headed to Corral #2 since my bib was #2203 and I had an estimated finishing time of 2:30:00 … yeah, i totally guessed when I registered cuz I had NO clue what I was doing or if I could even finish 13.1 miles and how long it would even take me! Spoiler alert… I did finish! Just not in the time I thought…
After talking to a few people and getting really excited (I think it helped that it was an all women event for my first half marathon) the guy from the magazine did a few announcements and then Jo Dee Messina sang the national anthem…
You can click on the pictures to make them bigger
In front of me:
Behind me (and yes, that girl is wearing the same shirt as me):
AND THEN… after a reminder that the 5k would start after all the Half Marathoners were on their way…
BOOM! We were off!!
NEXT: Women’s Running Magazine Half Marathon Race Recap Part 3: The Race (for real this time)
I was on my way home from job #1 today when the hospital called to schedule my tests. After being on the phone for about 30 minutes (on hold for about half of that time because I told them I wanted the SOONEST time possible and I would change my schedule to whatever they had available) we finally got a date set!!
TOMORROW MORNING!!!
That’s right, Thursday September 16, I finally get in! I am, as of 10pm tonight, no longer allowed to drink or eat anything and have to be at the hospital at 9:30 tomorrow morning. The lady told me to come prepared to be there all day long and that I would probably not get out of there til after 3pm. So, I’ll probably take a book and some knitting/crocheting to do. I really dont know what all I’ll have to do or will be done to my body, but I’m ready for it!
I am feeling much better than I was this time last week though! So… HONEST MOMENT TIME… I have been thinking “What if there is nothing wrong with me?” I’ll look like such an idiot! BUT, the chest pain is real! The shortness of breath is getting better but is real! So, if nothing is wrong, I look like an idiot/liar/crazy person/loser… I really do want it to be nothing though! I’d rather it be nothing than something! I’m actually kind of nervous lol…
I guess in the long run (tehe) I’d rather get it checked out and it be nothing than not get it checked out and it be something… make sense?
My follow up appointment with the cardiologist is September 23rd… the day before I leave for Tennessee! I hope I can run in my half! Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers! I really have appreciated all of you! You have made this time in my life TONS easier to go through!
Well, I had an appointment with a cardiologist this morning after spending yesterday evening at the ER. He could see me around 11 this morning so I went in and hardly had to wait at all out in the waiting room. I told him about my training and how it was important to me that I be able to run my half if I am allowed to and listened to my heart and lungs.
Then came the bad news… tomorrow’s 5 mile race (which I was so excited about) is out of the question. Basically, I have to get 2 tests done: a halter monitor for 48 hours to monitor my heart, and a treadmill cardio exam. But, the only words that my brain can seem to remember and the ones that keep echoing through my head are “no running, or training, until we can get these tests done!” Say what?! I mean, the shortness of breath and chest pain can totally be anxiety for my first half marathon right?! So, it only makes sense that to get better, I’d have to keep running… right?! RIGHT?!!
*sigh* Well, I wish everyone luck tomorrow at the 5 mile race and do well Cynthia! I shall probably see you again at another local 5k race in the future! Right now, I’m trying to tell my heart to hurry up and heal and trying to make myself go to bed earlier and drink plenty of fluids. Hopefully the hospital calls to schedule my exams and I can get them taken care of this week… because there is only 2 weeks left til my first half marathon! (1 of which is a taper week) So there’s still hope!
At this point, I’m trying to stay positive, but I know I will be completely crushed if it turns out to be more than I’m hoping it is and I can’t run my first half marathon in Tennessee! So please, continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers! I really appreciate you all and your comments of well wishes! I continue to be surprised at how much support the blogging world has given me in the short month I have been here! So thank you! You all are appreciated and you all truly do inspire me!
