I did it

I've always been jealous of people who can run. With the bad knees I have and the horrible memories of running in my previous life (where I'm a 200% couch potato who was only into TV watching and coke drinking), running is one sport I just don't dare to try. Sarah, who is the most supportive sweet heart has always been telling me, "you can do it, you can do it" while I'm thinking to myself, "of course, you've ran couple of Bostons, it's easy for you"

Something funny just hit me... I went into fleet feet for shoe fitting and started my attempt to run. Too afraid to make a commitment to run, I didn't get the shoes right away. Two days later (last day of 2010), I went into the store (after circling in the parking lot for literally more than 10 minutes) and got the shoes. I was so emotional, it's just embarrassing. I got home and called Marc to see if he wanted to go for a "short jog" with me. It all started from there. Then we decided to run first thing in the morning on New years day. After that, we registered for the tobacco trail half marathon in two months. Talking about starting small, huh? The sweetest hubby said if I kept it up for a month, he would get the fancy shmansy garmin 405 for me. I started obsessing over all the training plans, the running blogs and all thing running related. I was nervous... not knowing if I could really run that far, especially without getting injured and hurt my knees.

We started our training that same week with the first long run of 3 miles. One mile added per week, till we needed to do a 9 mile run before I took off for China for 2 weeks. My flight was early Saturday, so either I would have to skip the run that weekend, or I would have needed to do it the Friday before hand. We did it the Friday. Waking up to rain/sleet and 17 degree weather at 5, I asked Marc if we should cancel the run. He teased me how I just became "soft core". Alright, the run is on! We ran in the woods with layers and layers of clothes, hat, gloves and a head lamp. Through the hail and sleet, 9 miles just flew by! Soaked in rain and my own sweat, I felt so proud of us and knew I got addicted. Then of course, I have to mention the 10 mile long run I did (without planning) in China when I got lost without any money, water or phone and it just happened to start snowing 1 hour into my run. My parents and the hubby FREAKED OUT big time and I was banned from doing long runs after that. No problem, I stuck to my training schedule.

The day finally rolled around. I got up feeling nervous with the memory of the painful 12 mile a week ago. Yet I kept telling myself, "let her run, maybe fast maybe slow, just let her do her thing and get surprised" One pee stop later, I was worried we were not gonna finish under the icing time 2 hours (I always said, finishing our first half is the cake and finishing under 2 hours would just be the icing on the cake). But one after another mile, I felt stronger and stronger. Marc and I were passing people the whole time. Last place I saw the cheer squad captain - the hubby was 12 miles. One mile to go... I was expecting to break down and feel sore.. yet I just felt stronger and stronger. With the finish line in sight, I saw Marc suddenly started to sprint... ohh those long legs I wish to have. I'm not gonna let you pass me, I sprinted feeling my legs were gonna fall off and we crossed the finish line together!! Exactly the same time!

We did it! 1 hour 50 minutes and 9 seconds later, we did it! I'm a runner now! I got a plan, followed it diligently and just kept being positive and hoped for the best result! You know what, the result can't be any better! I did it way under the time I was hoping for. We were running around 8 min/mile except for the first and the peeing mile. I just fully enjoyed it and was happy... so happy just running! Can I finally say, I'm a runner now?