I told Kyle is was kind of like our wedding day...months of planning then the day was here and gone before we knew it. We trained for months. Now race day has come and gone and it is kind of sad. Granted our wedding day held much more significance but race day held a pretty major kind of significance for me too. It was a goal. Something I never saw myself doing until one day in January when I said that I was going to. I am not a runner. I have never liked running. I wanted a goal that I could realize after x amount of time. The satisfaction of pushing myself to do something far outside of my comfort zone. Completing a task. It is amazing to be on this side of it...we did it. We did it in better time than I had hoped. We did it on a course that was nothing but hills (at least it seemed that way to me). Thank goodness for the downside of all those hills. Seriously though, they posted a sign that said, "Flat stretch starts here." Just after that sign was another that said, "Flat stretch ends here." Or at least that is what I think the second one must have said because the flat stretch certainly ended. They have a sense of humor those race directors. Kyle was the perfect running partner. I have a bit of a competitive edge and he was always searching for ways to encourage me or help me, no easy task I can assure you. I realized the other night why it was difficult for me to accept criticism from him though. I wanted so badly to impress him, to do something worthy of his admiration. I wanted him to be proud of me. When he would offer his advice I would feel as though I was letting him down. Crazy I know. The best part of this experience was training with him. Our Sunday morning runs became my favorite part of the week. We would get up early and I do mean EARLY and go for our long run. It was so beautiful and peaceful and it was just Kyle and I. (everyone else in the world was still sleeping! Even Nanny who would come over and sleep on our couch while the kids slept! Thanks Nanny! We love and appreciate you). So now the question is should we do another half or try for the whole? Round about mile 8 of our run we were talking about doing a full (it was downhill at that point). I looked up the training schedule. It would be intense. Something to pray about. One of the most amazing feelings was coming up that last hill, knowing Kylee and Jude were waiting just on the other side. Feeling like it was cruel to have such a hill at mile 13 and battling with myself as I made my way up the hill. Kyle along side of me saying, "you can do it babe. we are almost there. you can do it." Then we finally reached the top and we saw our cheering section...Mom, Dad, Kylee and Jude. That feeling. It was incredible. Time was never my focus. I figured we would finish around 2 hours and 30 minutes. I guess that was my goal. Then they said it, "Tara Fletcher of Centralia. 2:13:20" I was amazed. Kylee ran through the finish behind us...her face beaming. I scooped her up and she gave me a big hug and kiss. It was such an incredible feeling. They should have said Kyle's name next but they didn't. It turns out his ankle chip malfunctioned. He was there. Right behind me...pushing me through. I couldn't have done it without him and I wouldn't want to. He was the best part of this whole experience...just like every other part of my life.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17
