"Gonna Fly Now" Part II

Many of you would like to know what it's like to walk 13.1 miles at one time. My answer would be that it's not easy..but well worth every single step.

We started early Sunday morning at the Knoxville Convention Center. I met up with my team and we took tons of photos (as usual) and then started off. At first I was so excited that I started jogging..but Coach Kane reminded me that it might not be such a good idea to over do it 1 mile into a 13 mile adventure. I'm so glad she did that.

Our walk started off with just Amanda and I (Melody and Mike took off as soon as folks started running) and we were thrilled when we caught up with Darla. The three of us were the proverbial tortoise...moving along slow and steady.

I want to be very clear that I never, ever really cared about my time in finishing this half-marathon..I wanted to finish..I wanted to have fun and I wanted to rejoice in a day the Lord had made.  In the future I might actually start worrying about my time and trying to do better but this first half-marathon was about completion, plain and simple.

 This first part around the U.T. Campus and Neyland was not unfamiliar to Amanda and I ...last February we did a "practice run" of the course with my co-worker Julie.

Photo taken in February on Neyland Dr.

  This time was much different..we were all hyped up on adrenaline and excitement from the crowds. I was told not to do anything different on race day. So, I ate the same foods, got the same amount of sleep and wore the same clothes (well, sort of).

Thursday before the marathon, Melody, Amanda, Darla and I decided to make Team t-shirts  and bought 4 super-bright pink shirts at A.C. Moore, and the goods to iron on our favorite sayings. Since we all agreed we would plan on doing another 1/2 marathon, we all chose to say *Insert name here's* First 13.1 (or half marathon) and on the back we chose our favorite sayings/or other inspirations.

I chose "Gonna Fly Now" (Because co-worker  Emily and I sing the theme to "Rocky" when we walk the stairs and Philippians 4:13 because it's the Bible verse that gets me through challenges).

When we got to Cherokee Boulevard, we caught up with Coach Kane (who had been walking with Mel and Mike and snapping pictures of them. By now, I was already a bit tired, but I knew the party on Noelton would be worth it and they didn't disappoint.  I had a great time talking with residents and dancing to the music.....

I might have been doing a little strutting up Noelton Hill (well, wheezing and strutting and clapping and wheezing )

 the real highlight was co-worker Mike who was waiting, in his bathrobe, for us to get to the top of the hill (in front of his house). He had confetti, flowers (for me to give to my aunt, cousin & grandmother) and a sign on his door.

 I stopped briefly to take a photo with him.


 After we climbed Noelton, it was time to hit the greenway behind Fresh Market...and I have to admit this was probably the toughest part of the route for me. I have walked the greenway at least 3-4 times by now but for some reason, on this day, it was as if I had never been there before. I don't know if it was the excitement of the day, the fact that  I was tired or that the leaves were now on the trees but on this day, I was completely lost.
As we neared Tyson Park however, things began to look up. First--there was a sign that caught our attention..."Sexy & I know it"...mostly because Mel is always singing or references that song and making us laugh. Naturally, we had to take a picture with it.

Shortly after this picture was taken we came across what was EASILY the best entertainment on the route (granted, by the time we got to the other entertainment, they were packing up) but a big thanks to the group dressed in LMFAO style clothes/wigs and playing "Sexy & I know It" because they gave us that extra boost we needed. Heck, we did some dancing....if dancing with cute boys in wigs is wrong..I don't wanna be right!!

By now, my feet were beginning to hurt a lot and this is probably where I would have cried "Uncle" but out of nowhere I saw my cousin and uncle walking towards us. They came to walk with the group for a while.  I can't ever begin to tell them how much I appreciated them walking with us because it got me all excited again.  We walked through the Fort Sanders area and got to see my aunt and grandmother who were waiting on the route to cheer me on (my family had some from out of town for this--how lucky am I?)
This was certainly the encouragement I needed to finish this thing!!

 As we closed in on Neyland Stadium we saw our team mate Mike and caught up with him. It was so exciting to see him and know that we would finish together.



 By the last mile, I was losing steam-and fast. Unfortunately, I had to take a quick "Pit Stop" which separated me me from my team mates  and upset me a great deal.

 From day 1, we walking ladies had talked about how we wouldn't leave anyone behind..a sort of "Band of Sisters" pledge if you will that started out as a joke but now, as we came down to the wire, became a very real and serious vow to me.

 As I was walking towards the end of the half, I could see Darla & Amanda (really we were all  hard to miss in those pink shirts) up ahead and I said to myself , "You've got to catch up". I told Missy of my plan, she wished me well and I took off...I didn't run fast and certainly not too far but I caught up with Mike, Darla and Amanda and we crossed the finish line (it was 4 hours and I don't really know how many minutes--truth is, I really don't care because I finished. Period.)


  I can honestly say crossing that finish line was, without a doubt, one of the most exciting, thrilling and rewarding thing I have ever done. On that day, I fulfilled a promise that I had made to myself. I received a medal for completing the half-marathon but I earned the medal for the hard work that I put into getting there in the first place.

 In the days since,  I've been told by some people that they could never, ever walk or run 13.1 miles. I know how they feel because I used to feel the same way.

But I am living proof that it is NEVER, ever too late to try something new, never too late to push yourself way past your comfort level and strive to do something more.  Honestly, if I can do it..you certainly can..you just have to take one small step...and then a giant leap of faith...in yourself

"I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me"
Philippians 4:13

 

"Gonna Fly Now" Part I

Well, the company has left and the house is now quiet. In the past 24 hours  I've had a few hot baths, a massage, massive amounts of ibuprofen and some frozen yogurt and am now somewhat back to normal following yesterday's finish of the Half Marathon. Tonight, I'm left with just my thoughts about how to answer the  question that most of us have after accomplishing something: Now what?

 I would be lying if I said I was happy to see it all come to an end. Mind you, I was thrilled to see the finish line yesterday...

I think that smile and clapping pretty much says it all :)

 But as challenging as the weeks of training, working out, dieting and trying to overcome physical and emotional challenges has been...this is the toughest part of the being on the Biggest Winner team: It's time for it to end. Just as a mama bird nudges the baby birds out of her nest..we are going to have to fly now.

 Some of my team mates (myself included) have talked A LOT about what we're going to do now. I know some will go off and do it alone while others, like myself, hope to still keep meeting and supporting each other. I truly hope we do. 

But the fact of it is that we are now going to have to find our own way to keep going (if we choose to do so) towards winning our weight battle. It's not going to be easy--I know this--but it's going to be worth it. I have worked too hard to not keep going. I took the before and after pictures of myself (from the day we started to the week we finished) and I titled the album "Phase One". I see this as being the first phase in what will, I hope, be a successful weight loss. They've given me the tools..it's my job now to use them.


 I want to thank all of my team mates for being such a blessing to me.

Amanda, Mel, Mike, Myself & Darla after receiving our medals following our walking the 1/2 marathon

Thank you, Edee--for telling that mountain to get out of your way...you faced your challenges head on with strength, bravery and most of all, determination
Thank you, Randy-For being a really great teammate and an even better father. I am so proud of how far you've come, it's been exciting watching you absorb all the information you've been given and turn it around to help others and inspire them to see that anyone, at any age or size, can make positive changes in their lives..and inspire their family and friends to do the same thing.

Thank you, Hugh-For not giving up. Hugh faced many challenges in these past few weeks that would make any one else give up. But despite all of the set backs, he kept going. He should be proud of all that he accomplished.

Thank you, Arielle-For being our beautiful-and-vocal cheerleader. If you ever want to take on a challenge head-on, make sure this girl is in your corner! She will make you laugh, make you feel strong and make you feel appreciated all at the same time. She's a truly special lady.

Thank you, Mike-For being a caring person and a true father-figure. From day 1 Mike was always asking if I was okay (I had walking pneumonia the first day we all met) and he's been checking on me ever since. During our walks he's listened to our problems, offered sound advice, talked proudly about his family and made us laugh with his stories. The day they told him how his cholesterol and blood work had changed for the better, I almost cried because you could see the pride and excitement on his face. Mike should be proud of himself, he's taken his life back.

Thank you, Darla--for being freakin' awesome! I've enjoyed getting to know you and your positive attitude. Some of my favorite moments have been dancing with you in Zumba and Hip-Hop. I know this is only the beginning for your journey. You're a strong, fierce and amazing woman. P.S., Your dog Zombie is one of the best dogs, ever!

Thank you, Melody-for making me laugh..and laugh..and laugh and laugh. Your story of surviving a car accident is enough to inspire anyone but just knowing all that you've overcome and seeing your tenacity and dedication to lose weight has simply been amazing. You've discovered a lot about yourself on this journey and I know you will continue to amaze others. You got this!

Thank you, Amanda-for being "She who does not runs" and thank God you don't run because I would have been very lonely. We have taken every step of this journey together and I can't thank you enough for it. We've shared our life stories, our laughs, our tears and I can't even begin to sum up how much knowing you has made my life better.  I thank you for being such an inspiration to others--especially myself.

Thank you, Coach Missy-for showing me that exercise can be fun and pictures should always be taken. Missy has enough energy for the entire team, but the fact that she cares so much about each and every one of us. It's amazing to see her work...she really is incredible. Thank you for showing me that there is a pay off to exercise and that you can modify it to make sure everyone can do it. She's like a healthy gardener..planting seeds of healthy living and watching it grow.

Thanks to all my friends at work who have inspired me, cheered me on and kept me going during days when I wanted to just give up!

To be continued....