After the Marathon...

I've heard of people having a sort of sadness, depression after a really big race.  I can honestly say I felt that.  When I crossed that finish line, it was a big moment for me as I had mentioned in my previous post. It was the moment that God's promise was fulfilled!! It was probably one of the bravest things I have done in my life running 26.2 miles 8 weeks pregnant because I lost my first baby at 8 weeks pregnant and then lost my twins at 9-10 weeks pregnant. Whenever I cried out to God before the race, all I ever heard Him say was be brave. 
When I came home, I was pretty sore for the next week, nothing serious, just normal soreness.  No blisters, or injuries!!! It took a while for me to get back into a running groove again, mostly because I was at battle with my mind.  I was scared to run, I didn't wanna loose this baby. I googled and researched for hours about running while pregnant. Little by little, I started to feel discouraged and depressed, I knew I had to get out of this funk.
 I began to get more involved in the local mom's running group that I lead and started having weekly group runs.  Cheryl, who is co-leader with me began to take me under her wings and get me out there in the mornings to run, which I am so thankful for, I definitely needed that extra push.  Once I got into a good routine, I felt like I was back!! Once I felt better, I realized the best thing for me to do was to sign up for some races to stay accountable.  Here is a list of my races I've ran since pregnant with the ST. Jude RNR Marathon being the first.

2. May 27- Memorial Day 5k

Placed 3rd in our my group with a time of 28:27. 12 weeks prego.

Marietta Moms Run this Town

#3  July 4- Peachtree Roadrace 10k

Completed the 10k in 1:11 at 17 weeks prego

#4 Aug 3- Run for Wounded Heroes 5k

Completed the 5k in 29:57 at 22 weeks prego

Honored to run for Team Sgt. Wade Brigade

 In April, I ran 121 miles, May: 39, June: 65 and July: 80!!! Seeing this number on my training log really gave me a confidence boost.  I have already ran 500 miles this year and if I keep my mileage to 25 a week, I will hit 1000.  So far, so good.

The next race I have on my calender is the Alien Half in August 17th.  I signed up for it a long time ago so that I could continue to do my long runs during the weekend.  This is what I have planned to wear.

Future Races:
Sept: Hot Lips Hustle
Oct. Silver Comet Half Marathon


Not only was God fulfilling a promise that He gave me a year before but He was also restoring my faith, and showing me that even though this pregnancy was a big surprise, it was supposed to happen this way. That way I would not only grow in faith of God's promises but also run through fear of pregnancy, fear of miscarriage, fear that my body will never be able to carry another child again.  ALL that for me!!

AND I didn't have to stop doing what I absolutely LOVE!! Running is my time with God, my therapy, where I find peace.  I am so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to run while pregnant.  It has been an amazing experience. 

Me and baby Faith are doing great! She is pretty active though, I wonder why... :)

What's BEEN Going ON!!!

It has been a long while since I have wrote, my apologies, but I have a very good reason!! Let me explain!!
I completed my marathon in April 2013.  I ran the St. Jude Country Music Marathon in Nashville, TN.  It was the most amazing experience of my life!! It rained (POURED) the whole time and I loved every painful minute of it... why you ask?  Because I didn't run it alone!!!!!!

I ran my very first marathon that I have been dreaming of since high school, trained my butt off all through winter with a little bun in the oven!! YUP that's right, 2 week before the marathon, I started feeling SUPER tired... but I didn't think anything of it since I had been running ALOT.  I also missed my period, so I went and got a pregnancy test and lo and behold POSITIVE!! I went to the Dr. and it was confirmed that I was indeed prego!! My next question to the Dr. was of course, can I still run this marathon, and without hesitation the answer was yes.  But in my heart, I have to confess, I was so scared.  Having had multiple miscarriages made me feel like I needed to stop everything I was doing and just sit on my couch until the baby was born.  I had a really hard time.  But after praying and talking to my husband and friends, I went for it!! I remember while running the last training run before the marathon, I always pray and talk to God and all I could hear Him say was to Be Brave.  So I did it, I was brave and I ran that marathon in the pouring rain 8 weeks pregnant!! :) Here are a couple of pics

The day before the race, I was able to find a "Running for Two" tank from One More Mile, the back says "You've just been passed by a pregnant lady!"  I got alot of compliments about it during the race!!! 

This was right at the end of the marathon

It took all the energy that I had to hold up that medal!!

 I finished the marathon in 5:45.02, It was not what I had hoped for in time but for me, just finding the strength to run the marathon is so much bigger!! I felt like I broke through walls in my heart and in my mind.  I didn't let fear overcome my thoughts, instead I believed in the promise that God  gave me a year ago and I ran that marathon in faith that it would be completed with no harm to myself or the baby!!!

I cried at the end, I was so tired, I definitely hit the "wall" I could barely walk to the car and when I sat down, I had to move my legs into the car with my hands.  I showered, ate and slept for a long time in the hotel while my husband took my girls out for a while.  I woke up still sore but with such joy in my heart!! I DID IT!!


With that said, I am now 22 weeks pregnant, running strong with a baby girl (FAITH) in my belly.  We are currently training for a half marathon in a couple of weeks. All is well and this pregnancy has been amazing!!

More to come!! :) I've got lots to tell about running while pregnant!!