The CIM racers. From left to right (Amber, Doug, Tara, ME, Alison)
I went to Cali with my friends who I had been training hard with for 16 hole weeks! I was shooting for a 3:40 and came in at a 4:09. I was cold, and the run felt hard and I hurt so the marathon beat me that day, and I gave in. I stopped running at mile 16 and tried to figure out how to get to the finish line via cab, hitching a ride, borrowing a cell from someone and calling my aunt... (there were people talking on there phones while running and I was SO tempted to ask to use one).
But then along the way a nice soul saw me looking all flustered...(aka crying) and said to me. "you are not quitting, now lets get moving" This nice guy (who was struggling just as I was, and whose goal was to finish in under 4 hrs), talked me through enough miles to get me to the finish on my feet. I don't think he has any idea how big of an impact he had on me. He helped me suck it up and just finish. There is a picture of him next to me on one of the marathon photos.... but because I am not willing to pay 50 dollars for a stupid race photo alas I don't have a picture to show you. But, his bib number was 6010. If you search for his bib number at this website, you can see him. Also, he did not make his goal but he did not even care, he just wanted to finish.
Sometimes when you meet people along the way it helps put things back into perspective. I love running and I love marathons, regardless of what time I finish I just plan to keep running them until I am 100.
So all in all I ran another marathon, I can't wait to run another one again. Trying to conquer "race day" has always been a struggle for me and so the story goes... onto the next.
But before that. here is some DELICIOUS trail mix that you all should make and eat over this holiday season. My grandma made this for me, I took it home yesterday and it is almost gone already....
Pumpkin-seed Dried-cherry Trail Mix
Recipe:
2 Cups Pepitas (baby pumpkin seeds)
1 Cup Almonds
3/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds
6 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
1 Cup dried cheeries or cranberries
Toss the pepitas, almonds and seeds with maple syrup, and spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake in a 300 degree oven for 20 minutes, until golden. After the mixture has cooled, stir in the dried fruit.
As for what is next. Sarah and I are running "The Goofy" in January which is 39.3 miles of total Disney Magicalness. We are not running for a time, we are running to finish and have too much fun while finishing. We are going to dress up, relax, and enjoy the magic. No watches, headphones or anything, just pure running fun =) I can't wait.
What should we wear? We are thinking of picking a Disney Character and going to try to replicate it into a running fashion. Suggestions????
Happy Running all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
-Jen
