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. 

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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

[Suzanne]

Congratulations on the race! I'm already a follower!

[Suzanne]

In 2011 I've run my first 15K, set a new 5K PR, and next month I'm running my first half marathon.

In 2012 I'm running my first 10K and hoping to get my 5K time under 30 minutes.

[Suzanne]

Congratulations on your race! I'm already a follower!

[Suzanne]

Sorry I didn't mean to post that twice-not sure if I can delete it or not so I'll just leave my third entry here: I love all the 13.1 necklaces! This is something I would love to reward myself with after my first half!

[Suzanne]

I know I've commented on past posts but one of my favorites (that I found today) is the recipe for Lasagna cups!

[sharon]

Jill what a pround moment finishing the race!!! I felt your pain when reading this. Still it is a great accomplishment! How is you calf now?

[sharon]

Jill I finished my P90X Lean Version now I'm moving unto the Classic. So my goal is to continue on this Journey!!

[kimert]

I follow!

Congrats on your finish!

[kimert]

Goals I accomplished in 2011 - I ran and finished my first half marathon. AND I loved it so much I ran my 2nd. At the end of the month I will run my 3rd! Crazy to think about that when I recall just where I started and the journey that got me here.
What are my 2012 goals?? KEEP.ON.GOING! Going for my weight loss goal and PR some races!

[kimert]

I LOVE the "Dream, Believe, RUN 13.1" necklace!

[jen]

congrats on running and finishing!!! what an accomplishment!
sorry it didn't turn out the way you had planned, but you powered through
and didn't quit!!! you continue to inspire me.

[Joni Kix]

So sorry to hear about your stumble, Jill. I had a similar thing happen in a half-marathon this year. I was running through the water station at mile 6. I felt so stong, and I just knew I was going to get a new PR! A middle schooler cut in front of me to get water and I tripped over his feet, fell on the asphalt and twisted my ankle. I was bloody and could barely walk. The middle schooler on the other hand just took off... he didn't even stop to see if I was all right. The water station attendent informed me that there was no way for them to take me back to the starting line... I would have to walk. On my walk back, a friendly policeman directing traffic for the half-marathon took pity on me and gave me a ride.

I am so glad to hear that you weren't seriously hurt. I was out for 6 weeks... It's so HARD to start over! I have another half-marathon planned for 2012. My goal is to come in under 1:50!

[Rani]

I just wanted to congratulate you on the amazing awesome accomplishment!!!!! You are an inspiration!!!!! Can't wait to hear about what you do next!

[jillconyers]

Thank you Rani. I have one more trail race and one more half and that's it for 2011. Making plans and setting goals for 2012!

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

[jillconyers]

Hi Joni
Fortunately for me it was very temporary but none the less I was so disappointed.  Are you back to running now? One of my possible goals for 2012 is to run a half marathon every month and at least one of those come in at or under 2:00. It is hard to start over but I know you can do it and that half PR will be yours! Keep in touch and let me know how you're doing.

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

[Hikermom]

Awesome job Jill! I just ran the Leavenworth Half Marathon on the 15th. Just became your newest follower.

[jillconyers]

Hi and thank you. Was that your first half? Congrats!

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

[jillconyers]

Thank you Jen. In the end, beyond the frustration and disappointment, I was happy I gave it my all under the circumstance. I didn't give up :)

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

[Christy]

I am a follower!

[Christy]

I did two half marathons, 2 10ks, two 5 mile races, and six 5ks this year. Probably much the same next year but also hoping to get to do Hood To Coast!