Inspiration vs. Insanity!!!!

I started running about 5 years ago. Basically for exercise to help lose weight. I cried during the first 5k race I ran, it was so hard. I a have taken breaks to have a baby, for injuries, etc. I have decided that the worst part of stop running is to start back up. It is hard!

I Have an awesome running group! Rain or snow no matter what the conditions are I know anywhere from 1-8 women will be waiting on the corner at the dreadfully dark hour of 5:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Some mornings I think I am so slow or I suck at running. Really I have to keep telling myself "you are out here at 5 freaking 30 in the morning running 4 -12 or more miles!" (depending on the day) Nothing sucks about me doing that right? My running group keeps me going and I love them all for that! In January I ran My first Half Marathon, It was hard but so inspiring. Running has become so emotional for me. There was a blind lady running that race. I find myself pondering if this is hard for me, How much harder it is for other people. I find myself in tears many times during the races. This past weekend I ran another Half Marathon. I saw a father pushing his son in a wheelchair, tears. A family with a picture of a teenage boy that lost his fight to cancer, tears. I found myself with tears for my Dad and many other family members that ran a hard race and fought hard and won but also lost (I don't think anyone can lose that race I think the loss is those left behind) tears. I also thought of Carson and how lucky he is with the outcome of his Cancer but also his life has forever been changed, tears. These thoughts and more got me through my race.

I have come to love running. Which is very crazy for me. I have never liked exercise let alone love it! A few weeks ago my good friend who is training for The Ogden Marathon was running her 16 mile run. I told her I would run the first 12 with her, when it came time for her to turn off a finish her last 4 miles, I was feeling good and decided to continue with her. I had my phone I could call for a ride home but I didn't, I RAN 16 MILES!!!! This is where the thoughts entered my head "I could maybe run a Marathon". CRAZY!!! Well the next week I heard my neighbor was injured and can't run the marathon and is looking for someone to take his bib. So at church I mentioned to him if anyone had taken it and before I knew it it was mine. CRAZY!!!! So come May 21 I will be running the Ogden Marathon. One thing I never thought I would do. But I know I can do hard things and there are alot of people out there that have to do harder things!