27 Days until the OKC Marathon

Week 14 report: RUN ANGRY!

Weight: 135

Miles ran this week: 30 

Miles ran so far in my training: 359

I was angry the fall of 2010. Potential job cuts were headed in the school district I worked for.  I let go of some toxic friendships.  I knew that my Mom was going downhill.  How did I deal with all of this?  I decided to run the Turkey Trot (that I had not trained for!)  Big mistake, HUGE!  As bad as that race was for me it made me realize that I really missed training for and running half marathons.  I set my sites on the spring Johnston's Half Marathon.  I continued to use a three day a week program and my newly found love of ZUMBA had me in excellent Cardio shape.  
I did well with my training until 4/9/11, the day my Mom went into the hospital.  I had just finished a 10 mile run when I had gotten the call and I went up to the hospital.  I went back the next day and got to visit with her briefly and she told me that she was tired so I left.  That was the last time she talked to me.  We admitted my Mom to Hospice on the 15th and she died the following morning on the 16th.  I had known for years that cancer would take her life but it was just so shocking how quickly it all happened.  No way could I do my "peak 11 mile" training run that day.  The running stopped for at least a week.  I was not only grieving my Mother but was also grieving not being able to do my upcoming race.  
Running though is friend that is with  you need it.  I decided to try and run 12 miles on Saturday the 23rd (on the actual course) and if I was successful I could use the actual race as my peak.   I did those 12 miles and to date it was probably the hardest run of my life.

My sign for my Mom 

 On race day I wore a sign on my back and dedicated my race to my Mom. I ran with a friend of mine and his father.  They helped me hold a 10 minute mile.  Due to the age of my friends father we did need to stop (for about 6 minutes) at mile 6.  People would pass me and pat my back and sometimes and give me a thumbs up.  My beloved Zumba teacher Denise passed me at a point when I was crying and assured me that "YOU CAN DO THIS!"

Right behind Denise at the finish!

In the last stretch my running friend Annette ran me in.  We saw Denise ahead of us and Annette challenged me to try and catch her.  I almost caught her at the finish.  I was emotionally and physically exhausted.  BUT I DID IT!  

Annette and I at the finish. 

Through the pain and hurt of losing my Mom, running was still there for me.  

Running continues to be the best therapy.  I love hearing everyone stories when I run as it makes the miles fly.  If you have ran with me and have listened to my stories, I thank-you.  You are helping me get through a hard time.

 Running was great this past week and I was relieved that Kathy and I only had a 12 miles.  I hope that you can join me  on April 5th for a part of my longest run to date, 20 miles.  More details to follow at dailymile.