The Kindness of Strangers.

I ran the big race today, the Bentonville Half Marathon.  I toyed with the idea of running it since last fall and committed to run it this past January.  It seemed like a good goal to set.  To be honest I thought it would be good way to recharge my weight-loss and push myself to do something hard.  While it didn't help much with the weight, I do feel like I accomplished something really worthwhile.  While training I dealt with some inner shin splints and a sore IT Band, but am happy to report no other injuries.  It was hard to devote so much time to the training, and the extra guilt of knowing that Jeff was giving up his Saturday mornings to watch the kids, and as the runs got longer, his afternoons to take care of the kids and me.  I hope that Max saw this sacrifice and struggle of ours to do something different and hard. 

It started off to a rough start this morning.  Part of the reason I started running was the social aspect of being with friends and pushing each other.  As we got closer to the date everyone else decided they had other plans, and then the night before I figured out I would be doing the whole thing all alone.  As I pulled up to the start it was hard seeing everyone so excited with their friends and teammates.  We started and the loneliness hit me pretty hard the for the first three miles.  I got to the point where I started crying and almost hyperventilated when I pulled into a ritzy neighborhood and saw a group of 5-6 ten year old boys in a rock band jamming their hearts out.  To top it off there was a young girl watching them with her pet chicken.  It was so absurd that it snapped me out of my depression and I was able to get going.  I ran into a friend at mile 6 and we ran together for about a half mile before she was off to relay with her teammate.  It was a nice distraction.

Props to the city of Bentonville for having speakers at the cemetery blasting, "Don't Fear the Reaper,"  excellent.  I think my favorite parts where when we went to areas I don't normally run through.  It was distracting to see new places.  I also loved running down North Walton which was closed to traffic.  I made sure that I took water at all the stations but it just kills me to throw the paper cups on the ground.  I know someone is gonna pick them up but it just feels so very very wrong.  I don't litter!   

I am so grateful for the kindness of strangers.  I was blown away by all the people out in their lawns cheering everyone on.  There were families cheering on loved ones, but they cheered just as hard for me.  This helped combat the loneliness.  I loved the little kids who put their hands out for high fives and the elderly people with encouraging smiles.  I know I have said it too many times before, but I truly live in the best place on Earth.  I will never leave Arkansas.  These people are so amazing and genuine.  I am determined to help out at this from now on.  Thank you to all the volunteers handing out water.  Thank you to all the police officers holding back traffic.  Thank you to all the organizers who set the race up, and thank you to all the people who cheered me on.  Thank you Kasey for the sidewalk message, and thankyou Meg for the cd.

I also want to give a special shout out to my Bishop's Wife, Jocelyn.  We haven't had a lot of interaction over the years given our different callings and children's ages, but we have been friendly.  She came across me running around mile 9 as she was out training for another, (harder run,) and she jogged with me for about a quarter of a mile offering encouraging words.  She then showed up at mile 11 and ran the end of the big NASTY hill with me cheering me the whole way.  I can't find the words to describe my gratitude to her for this friendship I was really needing today.  She ran me almost to the finish line where I saw Jeff and Max.  It was nice to see them.  It was a bit odd at the actual finish line cause I ended up crossing all by myself, and it was like the whole crowd had taken a minute check their phones til the next group showed up so there was not much cheering and no friends to say good job.  Jeff and Max found me and walked me to the car in a sweet but very anti-climatic finish to the whole thing.  But oh well it is over and now I know what it feels like. 

I don't think the human body was meant to run 13.1 miles.  While I am happy to report that my knee and shins held up pretty well, I have had some other unpleasant side effects today that well I'll just say I have been stuck close to ladies room all day.  Will I ever run another half marathon?  Maybe if I had a friend to run it with.  Will I ever run a marathon?  Probably not.  I think I'll be a 10K girl for now on. 

Another shout out to my mom.  She is not a fan of running, which she has mentioned more then once to me over the past, but she was amazingly supportive of me this past week.  She called me several times to week to encourage me and took in the entire recap with praise this afternoon.    Thanks mom.   

P.S.  I ran it in 2 hours 37 minutes.  I don't care that I ran it in this time, nor would I have cared if I ran it faster or slower.  I really don't care about speed or time.