So lets all take a moment and FREAK out over the fact that Anna Lauren has, yet again, decided to do what she vowed to NEVER EVER do. A little over two years ago I crossed the finish line for my first (and thought it would be my last) marathon. I always had it in my head that this was something that I wanted to do one day. The moment finally came when I walked up to my mentor and running buddy, and I told her we were doing a marathon. I was determined. But I also convinced myself that I could never run that far with no purpose.
So for those of you that gave me a purpose, thank you muchly! I knew immediately that what I wanted to run for, and many people jumped on board. The Lord clearly showed me that I could run and raise money for an awesome organization, Show Hope. Because of your willingness to give financially and pray for the fatherless, every step was worth it! Every step meant a child was coming home to a forever family, and that alone brings me pure joy!
As I have prepared for this next race I have been asked this question numerous times, "How do you do it?" I know that it is said over and over again how running is 90 percent mental strength and 10 percent physical strength. But really. That is sooo true!
I have quite a few friends that are currently training for their first 5K/half marathon/marathon. So I thought I would give you an honest glimpse of my thoughts when it came down to running the marathon. I was running the other day thinking on how every mile and step matters and started breaking down how I was feeling at that certain point. So here it goes....
Start Line: Everybody is feeling good and looking cute in their matching running gear. Totes presh!
- Mile 1: This is a nice warm up mile, and we are all still smiling! Life is sweet.
- Mile 2: Now you have reached the point where you are at a steady pace, and you are meeting the people that you will be running the next 24 miles with.
- Mile 3: Remembering that first time you did a 5K and thought you were on top of the world. But really.
- Mile 4: I am liking this whole running thing.
- Mile 5: I love running!
- Mile 6: I could be an olympic athlete I am so good at this running thing.
- Mile 7: This has been a nice little warm up
- Mile 8: None of LSU's transit buses match. Seriously. I could not figure it out.
- Mile 9: They said this was suppose to be a flat course. WRONG!
- Mile 10: Double digit time!
- Mile 11: I think I want to tackle and IRONMAN next.
- Mile 12: Okay, maybe that was a little too extreme...
- Mile 13: Look at that group of people that just split off...they are only half as crazy as I am.
- Mile 14: I am now officially jealous of that group of people that just finished running.
- Mile 15: Okay, things are starting to hurt. Just a wee bit.
- Mile 16: Just 10 more miles to go. Nbd.
- Mile 17: Some kid started chanting, "SCam Newton!" at me. I simply smiled and said, "Scoreboard."
- Mile 18: Running by LSU's stadium and observing that it actually smells like corndogs. No joke.
- Mile 19: I see my family on the other side of the pond! Look like you have it together.
- Mile 20: WHAT IN THE WORLD HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?!
- Mile 21: Okay I have overcome the wall and now everything just hurts. But it's all okay.
- Mile 22: Somebody get this southern gal some sweet tea, and I mean NOW!
- Mile 23: I have ran 23 miles and you want to offer me tacos and beer?!
- Mile 24: 2 more miles to go....I might actually survive.
- Mile 25: 1 more mile. OH MY GOODNESS.
- Mile 26: The finish line is around the corner. Get it together and act like you sprinted this entire race.
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| Finish Line: The feeling that you just ran a ridiculous amount of miles and sweet tea and grass to lay on is right there. |
So for those of you who are in the current process of training: KEEP IT UP. The run may be rocky, but it makes the finish line that much sweeter.
Run on friends!
Anna Lauren
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