Thursday, June 16, 2011

There's a first for everything


There is a first for everything.  After long thought, like long thought and consideration, I decided to start my own blog.  I think this will be good for me.  A good way to get my thoughts out, and a good way for me to keep up and stick with running.  I'm excited.  So with all that said, this is my first ever blog post.




I have been in Utah now for about 8 days, and love it!  I'm not ready to leave and it sucks that the days are winding down.  It is one of the best experiences I have had in my life.  The first thing that hit me hard and made this something great, was running my first ever half-marathon!  It sucked, because I have never really ran that far in my life, so at like mile 11, I thought I might crawl to the finish line.  Yea that sounds lame and ridiculous, but that's me.  I loved every minute of the race, the scenery, the people, the energy, my family being there, my sister running, and crossing that finish line that seemed like every step I took, it seemed to get farther away.  The emotion I felt was great after I crossed that line, I wanted to cry, I wanted to collapse, but most of all I felt sooo happy.  I was on an energy that lasted all day, until bed when I literally fell right asleep (getting up at 3.30 a.m. doesn't suit me well).  I think the best part of the race wasn't even about me, it was my sister.  After my half, I met with my brother and dad and we went to Julia's 22 mile marker.  We waited for her and were spread out among the mile to cheer her on and take fabulous photos.  I was the last in line and one of Julia's friends warned me she was coming and I was prepared.  She came into sight and a rush of emotions came over me, I don't know what it was.  When she was passing me I ran up to her and gave her the biggest hug and encouragement I could.  I cried.  I didn't cry for being sad or something terrible happening, but for my sister.  I don't think I have been that proud, happy, excited in my life.  My sister was running a marathon, her first, and was doing it.  She just recently got back from an injury, and she was going strong!  She is my role model.  I love her and am so proud of all her accomplishments.
The finish line was the best thing to cross.  I have done a decent amount of races, but this finish line was different.  It was like reaching a goal, making a change.  It was an awesome feeling to cross this new stage in my life.  Now I can only go up in my life after finishing this half marathon.  I'm new to running and know I have a lot ahead of me.  I'm excited to reach new levels, goals, and to continue running for a long time.



My sis and I before her full marathon and my half

My sis and I after, we made it!!!


I have my first ever Ragnar Relay tomorrow and am sooo nervous.  I have been having trouble with my knees so I hope everything goes well tomorrow.  I'm going to try and run my best, and just have fun with it.  That's what running is to me.  I don't think I could ever race, because I am not that great of a runner, but I want to at least have fun with it, and make a better lifestyle for myself.  I am really excited to see what's to come.

So this is my journey.  This is the start, this is my blog.  I hope you enjoy it, and reach your own goals that you set, just like I want to do so myself.
I found this quote and thought it was great, and something I want to remember through everything, especially the hard times and the times I want to give up...

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, I'm Possible"
- Audrey Hepburn-

11 comments:

  1. Sis. you are amazing. who cares what you are to others...running is all about what it is to YOU. first and foremost you are YOU and then you are a runner. an amazing one. an inspiring one. you inspire me on a daily basis. seeing you at that mile marker brought a rush of emotion over me. and the first thing I asked my friend when I saw her was...did she make it? She just smiled and said yes. I thought I might cry right then and there. I thought about you for the first 13.1 miles. I silently cheered for you and hoped you could feel my presence. You are amazing in every essence of the word and I am proud to call you my sister. anyone who reads this blog is lucky to get to know you...you are a special person sis. this post had me in tears from the first word. I think you have found your niche! love you!

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  2. Jen, I am so proud of you for starting a blog. I have enjoyed reading Julia's and now I can read yours as well. You both are quite an inspiration for me. I have decided that I am going to start running again. I am going to start tomorrow morning as Tim and I didn't get home until midnight. I too had a surge of emotion as you and Julia passed the mile marker by Riverwwod. I am not sure what it was...pride or what. But just seeing the both of you persevering and accomplishing a goal made me so happy

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  3. welcome to bloggy world!! popping by from big sis's blog and so happy that you are now starting your own! way to rock that first half and girl it's just the first of soooo many accomplishments awaiting you. :)

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  4. Excited you started a blog! This is such a great post...and I absolutely love the quote at the end. You and Julia are inspiring!

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  5. Hi Jenn and welcome to the blogging world! I've been following your sister's blog for a little while now and it seemed to me from your very first guest blog that you are just as inspiring as your sister, you ladies are amazing. I think that you are right, I am about to run my first half marathon (2 weeks to go!) and I feel like that finishing line represents so much more than 13.1 miles, there is something after it, something more about yourself that you learn along the way. I look forward to following you and congratulations on your awesome effort in the half marathon. Have fun in the relay!

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  6. Ran 1.1 miles this morning and feel like I need a lung transplant. I guess better than not running and needing a heart transplant. Good luck with Ragnar!!!!

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  7. Wonderful post! So excited you decided to join your sister in the blog world! You two are both beautiful, inspiring runners! Good luck this weekend with the Ragnar relay!!!
    :)

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  8. Welcome! So looking forward to getting to know you. I've been following your sister's blog for a little while, now, and am happy you decided to start this. Awesome job on the half-marathon!

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  9. Congratulations on your new blog. Have fun with it and enjoy your relay this weekend.

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  10. Congrats to you and your sister. I'm doing my first half this year. I think my older brother just did the same race with you on June 11th? His first half as well...I'm so proud of him, he used to never exercise so it's a big change. I love how close you are with your sister...you have no idea how special that is!! I look forward to reading your new blog and getting inspriation from you. :)

    these-are-the-days.com & runningtobeskinny.com

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