Cups On The Ground

I was just 20 paces past the halfway point of the race and the only thing I could focus on was the sweetest old man smiling at me, holding out what appeared to be a million dollars. Nah, it was just a Dixie cup of cold water, but it was just as valuable to me in that moment. Ahhhhhh, exactly what I needed to keep going. I took a long sip and dumped the rest down my face as I threw the cup to the ground and continued running. I kept thinking to myself "I wish I had my camera!" It was in that moment that I felt like a real runner. Looking at all of those white cups on the ground brought such a sense of belonging to me, it was surreal. All the months leading up to the race, I felt like an outsider, like I wasn't for real. And when I arrived early on the morning of the race, registered, stretched, pinned my number on my shirt, and lined up at the starting line, I still felt like I was a spectator. It was not until I took the cup from the nice man, drank it and threw it to the ground that I felt like I belonged there. Funny, isn't it how it's the littlest things that make all the difference in the world? You know, those "Aha moments?" That was mine. Silly as it may sound, a little old Dixie cup make me feel like I was 10 feet tall!

I finished the race in 40 min. 40 sec. I'm proud of that. I'm just glad I finished. Having my husband, my boys, my sister, and my friend Heather at the finish line cheering me on was a moment that I cannot put into words no matter how hard I try. I sobbed like a baby as I ran across the finish line. It was a defining moment for me. Proof that I could do something if I just set my mind to it. I learned that it's mind over matter, really. Just as much mental preparation was necessary as physical. I'm preparing for my next one now. It will be in September and I'm hoping to shave some time off between now and then. It feels great to be working towards a goal such as this when just one year ago, I couldn't even hope to run for 3 minutes. Baby, I'm on my way!