Slow and steady wins the race ...

Ever since race day on Sunday (Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon) I've been mentally composing this blog, trying to find the right words to describe the emotions and details of the day. On Sunday, April 1, 2012, I accomplished my goal -- I crossed the finish line, completing the half marathon, 13.1 miles!

Last year I applied for Covenant Health's Biggest Winner team with multiple goals in mind ... my primary goal was to build healthier habits, and jump start a weight loss attempt that I started in the summer. My secondary goal was to complete a race event during this spring's Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. Originally I planned to run the 5K, but after we started training, I decided instead to walk the half marathon (13.1 miles). 

Over the past few months you all have read about my training experience, as well as my weight loss journey, and I appreciate your support more than any of you will ever know! I've tried to be nothing but candid in my blogs because so much of this journey for me has been about accountability. I knew in the beginning that the more I told people about what I was doing, the more I would feel responsible to not only myself, but everyone who was cheering me on. And it worked! I knew I could finish the race. I knew I wouldn't be running, but that's not what this race was about to me. It wasn't about racing at all...but finishing the race. 

Race time: 4:13:04

Place in race: 2610 out of 2616. 

Yes, you read that correctly. Only 6 people finished the half marathon after me. 4 of those actually finished WITH me, and were teammates, along with Coach Kane who cheered us along throughout the race. I told myself in the beginning that in this race, time did not matter to me. I just wanted to finish. I wanted to enjoy the day, and enjoy what our team had accomplished. 

The day started with our team cheering on our hand cyclist member, Edee. Her race started 5 minutes before the foot race. 

As we all hugged Edee and wished her luck I felt this crazy combination of nervousness and excitement...kind of like that feeling I used to get on the first day of school. You know the feeling ...not sure what the day would hold, but knowing that you couldn't wait to find out! Edee thought it would take her over 2 hours to complete the half marathon...she finished in under 2. She kicked some major butt! 

At 7:30 our race started, with 726 marathoners, 2616 half marathoners, and 152 Marathon Relay Teams (4 person teams). Shortly after our start the next group of 1826 started the 5K.

Along the way I was thankful for a lot of things -- the first one was people cheering us on! On Kingston Pike, my church friends the Hintons, stood in front of our church cheering us on -- it was awesome! 

When we got to Cherokee my parents and husband were camped out at the bottom of the driveway. They'd been there to see the first runner speed by, and hung out until we made it! My sister was in the front of the pack, and passed their house a lot earlier than I did! 

Before we passed my parents house my husband snapped this pic of Melody who was a little ahead of us. Look how happy she is! 

A bit later my husband snapped this one in front of my parents' house of me, Lee Ann & Darla.

Soon Coach Missy backtracked to check on the 3 of us. During the entire race she kept tabs on the entire team, and pretty much knew where everyone was at all times, and in what shape they were in. Missy snapped these photos as we walked down Cherokee Blvd.

In the background of this one is our friendly pace cop...who pretty much rolled up the course behind us the entire morning. :) As we headed towards Noelton via Blows Ferry, we found Melody's sign! 

Next stop: Noelton. I have to tell you ... this was the boost we needed.  Noelton still had a party going on, with music, drinks and people! They cheered us the entire way! 

At the top of Noelton, we were also cheered on by my awesome mom & dad, husband, and in-laws! They were all by themselves...the band had packed up, the news crews were gone ... but there they were, on the sidewalk, waiting for us! I have the best family in the world. 

Next we headed to the greenway that would take us all of the way to Tyson Park. We've walked this route numerous times during our training ... but on Sunday it felt like the longest greenway in the world. We did, however, pass the absolute best water stop on the entire course ... complete with music (I'm Sexy and I Know It) & costumes, LMFAO stye! We danced along with them, and it gave us the kick in the butt we needed to keep going! 

Next it was Tyson Park. My husband and in-laws were also waiting for us there! My parents went on to Neyland to see my sister cross the finish line (she set a new PR 5 minutes quicker than her time last year -- finishing 2:03:29)! Also, part of Lee Ann's family met us here, and walked with us for a bit.

Missy snapped this one of me and Casey -- best husband in the world! 

LeeAnn with her cousin & uncle who came in from Texas to cheer her on!

After Tyson Park the remaining part of the course takes you down Cumberland Avenue, up behind ETCH & Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, down to the Candy Factory, across Clinch Avenue (where we started) and across Cumberland to Neyland Stadium! 

Mentally and physically this was the hardest part of the course for me, and I think for the teammates who were with me. Our bodies had started to hurt, and at this point you're ready to just be finished! Going down this hill was the best feeling in the world. I knew that at the bottom I would cross Cumberland, and be in the home stretch.

Approaching Neyland was awesome. People who'd already completed the race were on the sides of the alley leading into the stadium cheering you on. I had chills, and the feeling of pride almost brought me to tears. I stepped onto the field with Lee Ann, Darla, Mike & Coach Kane, and approached the finish line.

In true finish line fashion we decided to jog to the finish line. I love the pure joy in Lee Ann's face in this photo! 

At this point I started to realize that my shorts were way too big, and if I didn't hold them up, they were going to fall down! lol

Here's an awesome pic of me trying to hold my shorts up! lol 

Needless to say-- once we reached the finish line, we were nothing but excited! As we neared the finish line I saw so many familiar and friendly faces that I couldn't help but smile ridiculously! I waved at cameraman Jerry, and at photographer Neil. I headed straight to give team manager Tonya a high five as seen below: 

Here's the close up ... lol. Still holding my pants up! 

We made it! Me, Mel, Mike, Lee Ann & Darla.

More of the team: Edee, Kelsey (Last year's Biggest Winner), Mel, Darla, Coach Kane, Mike, Manager Tonya! Teammate Randy was completing the full marathon, so he's not in our post pics! 

I felt amazingly OK after the race. I thought I'd want to collapse on the sidelines, and would hurt horribly. Instead I think adrenaline took over, and I was just excited! After our team took some photos, I started looking for my family! 

Here I am with my sister, who was well rested at this point since she finished the half marathon nearing 2 hours prior! lol 

Sunday afternoon I took the best nap in the history of naps, and unfortunately some soreness started to set in. I'm still working though the natural soreness, and babying my feet, since the high mileage caused a flare up of my sesamoiditis. 

But the feeling that remains two days after my 13.1 is complete pride & satisfaction. This is definitely the most difficult physical goal I've ever set for myself! And it's an amazing journey that I've shared with an incredible team! To my team, and our coaches, I am eternally grateful! You've helped me change my life!