Go Big or Go Home... Right?

As you all know, I have been into distance running and triathlons for a little while now. Just thought I would share how and why I started. 


It was 2005, I was a Junior at University, spring was upon us. :) I had been running most every day, just about 2-3 miles a day for fun, to be fit, to be healthy. I really enjoyed it. One day, I got this little post card in the mail. It said something like - You Can Do A Marathon... I was convinced ;) That's really all it took was a post card. It came from the Leukemia and Lymphoma society (LLS), Team in Training program. They offered to help me train for a race, give me a coach, a training plan, a group to workout with, even a T-shirt.... all I had to do was commit to raising money for LLS. Ok, that sounded great to me. Not only do I get to try out running a marathon, hopefully meet some new people, but I can raise money for cancer. So I turned to google and found out how far a marathon was and proceeded to register for the information meeting. Then I started telling everyone I was going to run a marathon! It was exciting, the thought of 26.2 miles didn't even phase me - it was new, challenging and exciting. I claimed this would be the biggest physical challenge of my life. Mind you, I had never done a race before. But in my head the idea was, go big or go home. So I went big! After 5-6 months of training and fundraising, I lined up at the Detroit Marathon (Oct 25, 2005). What an amazing accomplishment it was to finish the race. I had such a great time with TNT and met my best friends from the program, that when I moved down to Texas, I gave it another go! So on June 4th 2007, I completed my 2nd marathon - San Diego Rock N' Roll marathon. 


Something else happed in 2005 that would change my life forever. When I look back on it, it's almost silly. I was relaxing and watching some TV.... and happen to stumble across the special on Kona Ironman World Championship. I was sucked in right away!! Watching people cross the finish line of this amazing race (that I had never heard of but has been around since 1981!). I watched in awe as 1,500 people from all walks of life completed this race. Their day began at 6am and they had until 12am to complete it. The TV show captured amazing, inspiring stories of the participants. Some were cancer survivors, some were missing limbs, there was even someone who was blind doing the race, some were people who battled with obesity and were doing the race after losing 100's of pounds, and some were busy mothers/fathers. All had their reasons and stories, and all set out to complete the biggest challenge of their lives - 140.6 miles of swimming, biking, and running. I watch and was seriously inspired... so inspired that right then and their I claimed that I would complete Kona by the time I'm 30! I was 21 at the time, so I gave myself plenty of time. 


Shortly after setting the goal, I learned a little about the race, you have to qualify to be there, only 200 people there due to a lottery. So I altered my goal a bit, complete an ironman by the age of 30 and earn my way to Kona by 35! To this day, I still am working towards that goal. This random goal I set at 21 is now being pursued. And 6 years later, I'm getting closer to completing it. 


I am just 19 days away from my first 1/2 ironman race, this one is only 70.3 miles. Physically and mentally preparing myself for what will be the greatest physical challenge I will ever complete. I feel both excited and nervous. My training has had it's up and it's downs. On the tough days I tend to think about the thing that got me started. Not only this inspiration I felt when doing my first marathon or watching my first Kona Ironman on TV, but the fact that I claimed that I will put my heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears into my racing for the one person who fought so hard for her life and was just unable to win.... my mom! She has been the biggest inspiration in my life, specially since her passing. 


I can't help but think about this, as I am getting closer and closer to my goal. But also because my Aunt, (mom's sister) has just under gone brain surgery! Luckily, everything went great and she is at home recovering now. Things like this make me think that I'm blessed to have my body, my ability, and to be able to get out and train and complete races!