Friday, September 14, 2012

Take the Challenge....Believe it WILL Happen!

There is just 9 days until ZOOMA Cape Cod and boy am I getting super excited!!!  
Perhaps that is because I can't wait to see all the ZOOMA ladies again....not to mention Sarah and Dimity too!  Another reason could be that I get to cheer everyone on during the race, something I usually do not do since I'm usually the one IN the race.  I can't wait but I have to say I'm nervous...I get so chocked up at finish lines watching others accomplish their goals.  Add to that the fact that I'll be literally "ready to pop" pregnant it could turn into an ugly cry!
Ha!  Imagine?!
Crossing this finish line, along with many other women will be friends that I have bullied into encouraged to run the race.  Their first words for me were, "I don't think I could finish".  And then....there will be my sister!  I will save the gushing of pride for after she finishes the race, but I am so proud of her!  This summer while we were beginning training for ZOOMA, she kept saying it was my goal for her....but something tells me that as this hot, humid summer has zoomed by, she started wanting this for herself!!
Amy running her first race in 2010
On Saturday she ran 7 miles....alone.  She woke up early (which if you knew my sister is a feat in itself), laced up her shoes, and headed out for her 7 miler.  She put the pending craziness of her day getting kids where they needed to be on hold to do what she needed to.  I know this is hard for her...and for moms everywhere...to put themselves first...but I am SO proud of her!  Here is her reflection of her training time thus far:
"It took a long time, but I am coming to realize that I have to insist on taking physical time for myself. This summer has not been one of the healthiest ones for me, physically and mentally, and so much changes when I lace up. Alone. Or with my sister-its like having a therapist that is stuck listening to your crap because what, are you going to leave me there on the road? And while I am relieved to find out I have not grown new tonsils (because yes, that can happen and was a possibility), I know that on the days I can, I must move. For a whole host of reasons."
 What has taking a challenge taught you about yourself?  

15 comments:

  1. Anything is possible when you are faced with the impossible! I'm virtually cheering on your sister! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the excitement of counting down the days to a race. Challenges have taught me that more often than not I am able to do more than I think I can. I just blogged about a new challenge for next month.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such a neat post Nancy! I choke up watching people cross the finish line also knowing the journey it took to get there. So funny about the ugly cry too :)What a great moment your sister is about to experience and you two get to share!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good luck to your sis and all of the other runners! My husband's favourite part of coming to my races is not seeing me cross the finish line but seeing all of the smiles on people's faces as they reach their goals.

    ReplyDelete
  5. How exciting, Nancy! I'm sure the tears will be flowing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aw, I love that you will be cheering your sister on...

    ReplyDelete
  7. You're going to have a blast and your sister and others will LOVE having you there as a cheerleader. I think this would be a fitting day to have that baby! ; )

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hurray for your sister. So cool that YOU will be cheering HER on to the finish.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Best of luck on this challenge. They always just make me more confident, able and truly fulfilled. That's why I keep 'em coming! --Ericka @ The Sweet Life (sweetlifeericka.com)

    ReplyDelete
  10. so awesome you will be there to cheer your sister on! I love watching people experience their first race - such a sense of accomplishment!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm still in the process of my challenge... well, my main one: to finish a 50 miler. I have done smaller ones throughout my training to keep my miles up. Anything that gets you out there, right?

    ReplyDelete
  12. I too cried when I saw people finishing the Miami marathon last january, then I cheered like a madwoman and ran the last 1/4mile with my hubby who was finishing his first marathon. But that you are almost ready to have a baby? WOW. Super kudos and good luck

    ReplyDelete
  13. If I cannot run the marathon I will probable be there to cheer others on because I think it is an amazing experience. You are awesome to cheer others on as you are ready to "pop" so to speak!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ready to pop.. hehe.. What if you gave birth at the finish Line?? I hope it doesn't happen but if it did.. EPIC! I really want to come visit your land some day..

    ReplyDelete
  15. aaaww, you are too much! If you had the baby on Saturday, would that exempt me from the race??? Love you!!

    ReplyDelete