Fitness Friday || Memories of a Marathon [Quitting Was Never An Option]

 

Welcome to Fitness Friday blog hop! A weekly blog hop for blogs that focus on overall fitness and health. A way to meet new friends, find new blogs and get new followers, subscribers and readers. 

Click How to Participate for the details.

It's still hard to believe it's over. The race has been run. The memories are forever.

Chicago was beautiful. We arrived early enough Saturday morning to take a walk through a park and along Michigan Avenue.

Packet pick up and have the DTAG scanned to activate. I remember feeling butterflies in my stomach at this point.

Ready for tomorrow. Set my goal at 4:30 and signed up to join the Nike Pace Team.

Words that inspire!

At the expo there were 3 large walls listing the names of every runner. Found mine right...there!

Actually running the race. A beautiful morning and it only took about 15 minutes to get across the start line. I found my pace group and stuck close to Marie. She was running her 112th marathon so I figured she must know what she is doing. I was right! She was fun, encouraging and at about mile 15-16 she said to me, "You've got this Jill!" At that point I was 2 minutes ahead of my goal time and feeling stronger than ever. It was the best and easiest 15 miles I have ever run. 

Then, the split second decision of one runner changed that for me when he decided to stop right in front of me. As he stopped and I tried to prevent myself from falling over him I landed on my right food and immediately felt a stabbing pain in my right calf. I thought maybe it just tightened up or minor cramping so I ran past two emergency aid stations. By the third one I could barely run on it. So I stopped just to have it wrapped and to get Tylenol. The EMT tried to convince me to quit the race. All I could think about was if he would hurry I can try to make up the time. He kept asking "are you sure?" No I wasn't sure I would be ok but I was sure quitting was not an option. So, I just ran. One step became one mile. One mile finally became the finish. I didn't meet my goal. I couldn't return to my miles 1-15 pace. Still, quitting was not an option. 

(Proofs from Marathonfoto. I will be ordering a few of these)

I cried twice somewhere between mile 17 and the finish. Not because of the pain. The first time was when it occurred to me [for a split second] that I might not be able to finish. The second time was when I finished.

Since then I've gone over the whole race in my head a million times. I'm planning a do-over in 2012. I've been frustrated and angry off an on since that day. Cried 2 more times. And finally with all sincerity can say, "look what I accomplished! I ran 26.2 miles!"

This was the day I decided to stop beating myself up and taking away the glory that is finishing. Christie O

Now that my biggest goal for 2011 has been accomplished I'm thinking even more about 2012. Thinking about do I really want to run an ultra, trying a different marathon training program, possibly running the Colorado Ragnar Relay, and yes, even a few non-running/fitness goals too. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

That brings me to a new giveaway generously sponsored by The Run Home! To get you thinking about looking back at 2011 and looking forward to 2012.

The Run Home is your home for unique, handcrafted running inspired and inspirational and motivational jewelry and ornaments! We love to make items that we love, related to everything we love! We strive to make beautiful, affordable jewelry to celebrate life!

 I love this necklace. Love the words, dream and believe. A little reminder on those less than great days. Seeing the 2012 reminds me of the promise of a new year and the endless possibilities. Debbie's shop is a great place to start your Christmas wishlist!

                                                               How to Enter

Mandatory Entries

1. You must be a follower or my blog.
2. Leave a comment and tell me what goals you have accomplised in 2011 and/or what goals you have in mind for 2012.
3. Visit The Run Home and leave a comment on a favorite charm or necklace.

Extra Entries

1. Leave a new comment on a non-giveaway [Fitness, Health and Happiness] post.
2. Tweet about the giveaway.
3. Post about the giveaway on your blog. 
4. Post about the giveaway on Facebook.

Leave a comment for each entry and include an email address. Giveaway ends 12:00 p.m. EST October 29, 2011.  If winning entrant doesn’t acknowledge their win within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only. 

Disclosure: For the purpose of this giveaway, The Run Home generously donated the necklace free of charge. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions of this product are my own and not influenced in any way by the company or products I received.

Now the link up!

 

Comments

[Kristin Delgado]

My currently goal for 2011 is to finish my second marathon. It's in December and I am struggling with a knee injury right now. I'm committed and determined though. It's going to be a major goal that I never though I would want again in my life.

[Kristin Delgado]

I love the "16 inch Sterling Silver LOVE to RUN 26.2 - Marathon Running Necklace on 16 inch Sterling Silver Ball chain" it's beautiful!

[courtney]

first - you are a trooper and an inspiration!!! second - you are way more nice than i am because i would have had some choice words for that stinker (even though i'm sure it wasn't on purpose). third - i follow!

[XLMIC]

Love that... "look at what I accomplished!" I had a similar moment after my half on Sunday.

Happy to follow your blog :)

[XLMIC]

In 2011, I RAN! After 8 years of not being able to, it was HUGE for me :) And I ran my first half marathon this past Sunday... my first in this millenium anyway.

I am looking to run a full marathon on my 49th birthday in May... and I'm gunning for a 3:45... which IS ridiculous, but hey, why not? I am also wanting to achieve a sub 45 min 10K...again...ridiculous! But that's how I play "life" ;-)

[XLMIC]

I love that pendant that says "today I will". Reminds me of Yoda... there is no try...only do or do not.

[MonicaB]

You must be so proud of yourself. It's amazing to see all that you have accomplished over the year.

[Lauren]

Oh wow...you are a strong lady for finishing that race injured! I almost got tripped by multiple people running in front of me then immediately slowing down...that was probably one of my only major pet peeves of that race.

I'm following your blog now :)

[Lisa J]

follower of your blog

[Lisa J]

2011 has been a crazy year- i started the year with only having 3 states done, and I'll finish with 22. My biggest goal for 2012 is actually to build up mental toughness- so i can push myself more during workouts and races

[Lisa J]

i like the dream believe run 13.1 necklace as well as the always to the point "today i will"

[Lisa J]

posting giveaway to my blog

[All Of A Sudden Life Is Amazing]

I just started following your blog (found you on Pinterest)! I LOVE this necklace http://www.etsy.com/listing/79550751/run-262-marathon-running-necklace-on-18. My goal for 1012 is to complete my second marathon. My crazy dream goal is to run an ultra!

[jillconyers]

Thanks Lauren. I agree. Probably my only negative of the whole race. But then it's to be expected with 45,000 runners. Right? How did you do?

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
I believe no decision should be made while running up hill. ~Nike

[jillconyers]

Thank you MonicaB for your kind words. Most days I am proud :)

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
I believe no decision should be made while running up hill. ~Nike

[jillconyers]

Thank you Courtney. Funny you say that. As soon as I called my husband after crossing the finish line he asked, "Did you let him know what he did?" and "Did you get his bib number?" No to both but only because I was so shocked by his stopping and wanting to get back to my pace. 

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
I believe no decision should be made while running up hill. ~Nike

[Kim ~ Recipes To Run On]

Hi Jill. It's great to "meet" you! Oh I'm so happy for you to have completed Chicago. Though I'm so sorry you were injured.... that must've been so difficult to keep going. What an accomplishment!!! So happy to have linked over to your blog and looking so forward to being a regular reader.

[jillconyers]

Thank you April. The disappointment was the worst part. But, I have the 15 miles of my best running ever...forever :)

The EMT thought my refusal to quit was crazy.

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
I believe no decision should be made while running up hill. ~Nike

[jillconyers]

Hi Vicki. Thank you and you can :)

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
I believe no decision should be made while running up hill. ~Nike

[jillconyers]

Hi Sandy. Nice to meet you. Yes. I love P90X. I'm starting round 3 on Mon to get ready for P90X2!

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
I believe no decision should be made while running up hill. ~Nike