ME???? Oh YES I can...

This has been a great week, a week where I have learned a little bit more about ME.

I learned this week that YES I CAN do a Half Marathon. Never in a million years would I have considered doing a half marathon a year ago. Now, so much has changed.

I have my sister, my parents and loads of supportive friends who have helped me realize that I CAN do the

thing I thought I could not do. (just a paraphrase of my favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quote).

After months of training, months of self doubt and dealing with a body that is plagued with aches and pains I managed to complete the Women's Running Half Marathon in St Pete last weekend. It ranks as one of my most exciting experiences of my life. I am not fast, so I had lots of time to think. 3:36:07 to be exact. I thought about how far I have come on my fitness journey. I thought about love and loss.

I thought about friendships and family. I thought about immortality or lack thereof. I thought about Mike.... alot.

I thought about my little pup, Marshall. I realized I was amazed by the sheer magnitude of the goal I had set for me. After 51 years, it was actually the first goal I can remember setting and worked

towards achieving. It was an awesome experience. An incredible experience. One that teaches me alot about my self. I am an athlete and I like it! I don't ever NOT want to be an athlete. I don't want to stand on the sidelines

and watch life pass me by. I spent far too many years doing exactly that.

I met Kathrine Switzer this weekend, the first woman to ever run in the Boston Marathon... what a kind, motivating woman. We spoke and she offered such motivation. She didn't take one look at me and think she was wasting her time, she made me BELIEVE that YES I CAN do a Half Marathon. She wrote on my race bib upside down, so during that long 13.1 mile experience I could look down at it, read her inspirational words and be inspired to achieve my dreams!

The running gods were with me this week, as I finished my long race I had the honor to run to the Finish Line with none other than my very first source of motivation... John (the Penguin) Bingham. An awesome moment. My prayers to God were fulfilled when he sent so many angels to help me complete my goal. My sister, Kathy, my dear friends.... Colleen, Dawn, Rhonda, Brenda, Denise, and her sister, Terry. My blogging friend Robin, keeping me motivated each and every day. My parents who believed I

could do this (after proper medical clearance, of course), and my boss Sharon( a fellow cancer survivor)... who always says the most motivating things when I need to hear them most. These are the people that helped bring me to this point in my life.

As I continue to SEARCH for ME, these people are my companions on my journey. I am thankful for them. Since today is THANKSGIVING... the Turkey Trot was in Orlando. Due to a slight injury during my Half Marathon, I chose to "sit out" the race today so I could be well healed for my Savannah Bridge Run next week. I was ecstatic to learn that while it was great WATCHING THE RACE..... I would much rather be PARTICIPATING IN THE RACE. That is the part of ME, I found today.

Happy Thanksgiving