I became a marathoner today. 6 months ago my life turned upside down when we sold our family business. I decided I needed a goal in my life that was bigger than the hole that would be left in my life and heart with my Dad retiring and a job I loved ending. The biggest and scariest goal to me was a marathon. I had said for years I didnt want to run a marathon, too much time to invest. I also said if I ever did one it would be at Disney World. I ran the Princess 1/2 Marathon in February all by myself and it was lonely. My good running friend Eddie Kline and a group of friends decided Holland need a marathon. Holland/Haven Marathon looked like the perfect 1st marathon. It would be in my hometown, run by great friends, my family and friends could be there to support me. I decided to drink the kool-aid! What an amazing experience. At the start Nancy Hansen surprised me by being there to cheer me on, and had a Minnie sticker to wear to bring a bit of Disney magic to my race. I ran the 1st 11 miles by myself, but I had tons of love from family and friends manning water stations and course marshals. David was at the 3 mile mark to cheer me on and again at 9 miles where he was course marshal. I made a race friend at about 11 miles - Tamera Scholten. She was fricking amazing!!! Those touch middle miles were made easier by her creative swearing, TMI chatter, encouraging me to keep on running, storytelling, and just her sunny personality! We ran together until about mile 20, where we met up with Barry Hutzal who was struggling a bit, with a sour stomach. Tammi began running with Barrys brother-in-law and I ran with Barry. We discussed soccer for a few miles. During those miles from 11 to the finish I had so much love on the course. Tammi even asked me if they put the race on for me! I was such a star. I had even more friends on the course with creative signs, great music(Katie Perry Roar), smiles, honks from cars, friends jumping out of cars for a bit of encouragement, Dan Watson on a bike escorting me up that hard hill by the power plan, what a blessing! Then at mile 22 I was surprise by my family on the course to cheer me on!! Then my posse joined me to run the last 4 miles. Nancy Hansen, Jane Clark and Cathy Dykhouse joined me and those tough that miles were made easier by their chatter, swear words(that last hill was a fuc***). I was very emotional at the finish - all my friends and family were there. I am blessed to have drank the kool-aid! Thank you everyone who made this an amazing 1st marathon.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 14:44:10 +0000
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