Running 4 Grace, Hope and Faith: Locomotive Half Marathon Completed

I just completed my second half marathon this past Sunday morning!! This was week 6 day 5 of marathon training. I went to the race feeling really confident. Since the race was very close by to where I live, I decided to do the last 3 long runs on the course, one of which was a 14 miler and did great! I also did my long training runs in the morning which prepared me for a chilly race day. My family had to stay home because of the cold, so I went to the race alone. I went an hour early so that I could find good parking, pickup my race packet, stretch, warm up and use the port a potties. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be. I did have a hard time deciding on how much to wear for the race. I layered with 2 long sleeve shirts and had my black loose Brooks pants over my Under Armour tights, I didn't decide to take off one layer of pants until the last minute of the race (and I'm glad I did.) I wore light gloves and ended up taking them off and carrying them the whole race. I guess I know better next time. Anyways, at the start of the race, I had my iPod shuffle with me and turned it on, turned on my Garmin watch and started running. About a minute into the race, I turned up the volume on my shuffle, then I heard it, because of the earphones in my ears, I also heard an echo of a cracking. I ROLLED my left ankle!!! It was so loud and painful. Everything in me immediately felt discouraged. I felt so mad, I had worked so hard and felt so ready to run this race and then out of no where I roll my ankle. My running turned into awkward limping as runners passed me by, I then stopped and tried to stretch it out. That did nothing. I knew right then and there I was gonna have to make a choice, I was either gonna drop out of the race, limp back to my car, go home and into my comfy warm bed and call it a day or I was gonna keep on running and finish the race. I decided to keep on going and I am so glad I did!!
After about the first mile my ankle stopped hurting, I was able to focus more on the race. Every now and then I wondered if I had made the right decision, I also wondered why I couldn't feel the pain anymore. I guess I have the cold to thank for that! :) I have to say that God showed up as He always does in my races and reminded me of the painful moments in my life, He showed me that He was with me, just as He was with me during this race. I was literally running with tears in my eyes as I was shown just how faithful He is. How greatly He wants me to succeed in accomplishing my goals and dreams. I ran that race with more passion, more drive, more strength than I ever did before. I had hoped to run this half marathon faster than the Allstate Half (2:18) but I wasn't sure I was going to be able to with my ankle. I did feel good the whole way through and made sure to keep a pace that was comfortable yet competitive. I kept positive the whole way through as well. The end was tough though, I did start getting tired around mile 12 but didn't wanna slow down. I was able to finish strong. My official time was 2:13:32.45. I couldn't believe it when I saw the time!! My personal record by 5 minutes with a ROLLED ANKLE!!!!

Check out my Medal!! :)

Oh and when I crossed that finish line, I definitely felt the ankle, but I was so overwhelmed and excited with my time!!! The finish line is still the best feeling in the world!!! I placed 11th in my age group, got a pretty awesome medal and left that race with a new level of strength.

AND since this is my blog I am posting a pic of my ankle: WARNING!!

Taken on Monday(no longer purple, swelling went down a bit)

And lastly a picture sample from the race that I LOVE!!! To me, it symbolizes so much in my life. Even though I had a pretty bad beginning of the race, I was able to pick myself up and keep on going, even forgot about the pain, enjoyed every bit of the race, because it's what I LOVE to do and I'm willing to go through some pain to get to where I want to be. I am determined and I am so thankful that God has allowed me to chase after my running dreams!! :)