Sunday, October 10, 2010

City to the Sea!

What is it about race day mornings that are so exciting?  I didn't even run, and I was way pumped to be there.  Tons of people about to achieve something great.  Families and friends cheering and showing their support.  You can just feel the excitement, nerves, and adrenaline in the air.  I'm telling you, it's contagious.




My favorite part of races (besides the finish) is the start.  When everyone is piled behind the start line, jumping in place, doing a last minute stretch, taking that one last deep breath.  When there's like a minute till race time, and everyone is screaming and cheering and clapping.  And then, the take off....


When Lealah and I met up with you guys again at the 5 miles marker, you guys looked great!  You all looked like you could easily take on another 8 miles.  There were smiles are your faces, all still showing energy and enthusiasm.  This was what you had been training for, and it showed.

First to come through was Holly and her main man.



Then Jess and Erin...


Megan...


Cassandra...


And Cheryl.


Here Michelle comes....


And there Michelle goes.


Before I could even prepare for Drea coming, she was going!


Go Amy!


We were so excited to see Monse (I hope I spelled that right) and Jess come through.



Lealah, our dedicated cheerleader rolled up her poster and used it as a megaphone to cheer them in.


And my favorite part of this picture, is the look on that guys face as he was running by.



I tried so hard to get everyone's pictures as they came through the finish line.  Unfortunately, I didn't get everyone's.  I know some of you are probably going to be embarrassed by your post race appearance, but I figure the pictures are small enough that you can't see details.  So don't hate me!  =)  You all look pretty good for for racing 13 miles during a scorcher!











I'm gonna tell you guys the truth.  Even before I encountered this injury, I was really hesitant about training for a half marathon.  The idea alone scared the crap out of me.  It wasn't just the fact that I would be running 13.1 miles, but from San Luis to Shell Beach.  I mean, sometimes the drive alone seems really far!

Today, you all inspired me.  Like Lealah always says "Running is 10% physical, and 90% mental." I've come to totally believe the statement.  I was freaking out about this half marathon months ago.  The commitment to train seemed way out of my league.  I just did not feel ready.  Then I got injured and didn't have a choice.  I wasn't gonna be able to do it, like it or not, ready or not.

I am so proud of each and everyone of you.  You trained hard.  You believed in yourselves.  You overcame those voices in your head questioning your ability.  You are now amongst the (I believe) less than 2% of people who can say they ran and completed a half marathon.  

Congratulations!


"The miracle isn't that I finished.  The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
-John Bingham, running speaker and writer

7 comments:

  1. You guy's are so impressive to see all that you grrrl's have done in such a short amount of time. It's exciting to be one of the men in "this" pack.

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  2. Thank you so much for all of your hard work in recognizing everyone else's hard work. It is so great to put so much energy into something and then have friends calling you by name, cheering you along the way and then pictures to show for it too! Sometimes all the pics we seem to have are of the kids, it's nice to be able to show that us mom's can play hard too!

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  3. Lacy...you and Lealah totally inspired me! I don't think today would have been the same without you two. I am SO thankful for the support and love!
    ~Cheryl

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  4. Her Broyle(s) HighnessOctober 10, 2010 at 6:13 PM

    Running Grrrls....YOU ARE THE BIGGEST BAD A*S'!! This was such an honor, cheering for you dedicated, passionate, smokin' hot women! Each and every one of you have so much to be proud of. This team has proven that we are destined for greatness, with our last event being such a success, and now our first half completed, also with great success!! Thanks ladies for goin' big...you really made this the best day ever! And Lacy, thank you for always bein' the best Press Team, you always document this so well and make us look so good!!

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  5. It is such an honor to be a part of a group of such amazing women. Yesterday was so amazing! Thank you for being there to cheer and remind us that we could do it!

    Dr. Dre

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  6. One more thing. If I haven't mentioned this before, the reason I started to run 6 months ago was because of the ladies who started Running Grrrls. I have never been a "runner" in my life and I thought I would never be able to do it well. Thanks for showing me that we can do WHATEVER we set our minds to. We are powerful women who can and will make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others. BEST SHAPE OF OUR LIVES INSIDE AND OUT!

    Drea

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  7. ALL of you Grrrls are inspiring and I am so proud of you!!! I hope this just adds fuel to your fire to keep going and keep achieving greatness! Thank you Lealah & Lacy for the high-fives, the cheering and the encouragement! Running Grrrls really are BAD A*S*!!!

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