I just walked (and ran a bit) the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco. I will pause for a moment before letting you know how completely AWESOME and AMAZING that makes me!
Waiting for the start of the half marathon
Sure, lots of people have done full marathons, running no less, but none of them were me! I don’t run. I hate running. I loved soccer. For soccer, I ran. Then I had an injury that left my knee hanging on just by skin! I was 38 and the doctor said that was old. I gave the doc my best stink eye when he said that. This summer I had to get my big toe joint fused; again, related to an old soccer injury. And I’m 16 years older than the knee injury (did you just stop for the math?). My chronological age is set according to my birth date, but my physical age is whatever I do to take care of my body and mind.
The Sleepover Girls Danced to Cheer us On
Sometime in August, I was invited by Yurbuds (They make earphones that stay in your ears. They are designed specifically for women. They are amazing and come in fab colors) to participate in the race. I said yes, mostly as a way to set a surgery recovery goal for myself, thinking “If it works out, fine. If it doesn’t, that’s fine too.” But as the race got closer, I realized I actually wanted to challenge myself to train and finish the half marathon.
Inspire for Women
Stupid would have been aiming for running or a full marathon. Smart was aiming for something difficult, yet achievable and safe for my foot (and knee).
I Rule!
I can. I did. I will again.
It’s really hard to say why I trained and then walked a full 13.1 miles (I even beat the time I had set for myself), because I don’t truly know. It’s hard to know why I started crying at the finish line, because I’m not particularly sentimental. It’s even hard to understand why I might do it again even though it was outside of my comfort level. Maybe I just wanted to prove that injuries and surgeries and aging don’t mean I’m limited; they mean I choose new directions and challenges. Nike lost my race time, but I know what it was. It was ME time! Look at the smile on my face in these pictures – I’m having fun because I am a winner. It feels good to be a winner.
That Lion Didn't Stand a Chance, 'Cause I Roar Louder!
I truly am grateful to Yurbuds and FitFluential for the opportunity to join the 25,000 other winning women of all ages who ran and walked in the marathon. I would never have considered doing a half marathon prior to receiving their invitation. I wish you could see the cool t-shirt they gave me, but sadly, I put it into the bag I picked up for another runner and it’s now on its way back to me via the postal system. Our mail carrier’s truck caught on fire, so the mail got burned. But that’s another story. You can at least see the headband and bright lime green earphones Yurbuds gave me.
Granny Smith Apple Green
I listen to Adele singing “Set Fire to the Rain” on them because I set fire to the race course, even though it was misty and rainy!
Music to My Marathon Ears
After the race, I discovered that Yurbuds had an oxygen station. I sat on a stool and breathed in the scents of berries and citrus.
Happy Scents for the Senses
I wish for you the same kind of satisfaction and joy that comes from taking on a new challenge. It’s cool to be a winner. But of course, you already know that!
Crossed The Finish Line
Photo credits: me. I took them with my iPhone.
Yurbuds provided me with the entry invitation to the marathon, plus they gave me the green earphones shown above. All opinions and song preferences are my own!
Love all the photos… looks like you had so much fun. Running through it would have meant you would have missed out on all the photo opps…. great job. and BTW, you are a ball of energy that is indeed AWESOME!
Pavement Runner recently posted..Playlist Thursday: Speeding Ticket Songs
You know, I really did have fun. The last few miles were a bit painful, but I knew that it was not bad pain, just mileage pain. Thanks for the kind words and for being such a truly kind person. P.S. Sheralyn (please say it’s spelled right) is sooooo beautiful. You have good taste.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Hamstring Stretches: 3 Wrong & 3 Right Ways
Congratulations! I’m so happy/proud/glittery for you! You always inspire. You can’t fake inspiration either.
PS. You seem to be plagued by a few unusually unfortunate circumstances – Nike LOST your time? Mail truck on FIRE?! Yeesh.
ModernSauce recently posted..Damn dirty apes have to take a bath somewhere.
hahahah. So convenient, eh? My time was essentially 3 hours 10 minutes. I was aiming for 3 1/2 hours, so I beat my made up record! BTW, did I tell you about the big fire up here yesterday? I will be blaming things on that too!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Hamstring Stretches: 3 Wrong & 3 Right Ways
You are some kind of awesome!!!! Congrats!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..The Best of Fall: Crock Pot Apple Butter and Healthy Pumpkin Doughnuts
Yes, but what kind, I wonder?
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..3 Stealth Saboteurs of Your Weight Loss
I actually knew you were awesome before you finished a half marathon. Now you are awesomer
.
Nice job! And I have teared up at many a finish line. It’s something to do with pride, accomplishment and sheer exhaustion.
Debbie@ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Wednesday Workout: 22 Minute Runner’s Workout
I think you’ve figured it out: pride, accomplishment and pain, in my case. I wasn’t exhausted, but my knee was done! I went for a 5 mile walk today with a friend, and it seemed so relaxing somehow!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Diet Cheat Days: Yes or No?
OMG I loved reading this and I adored your race day Instagrams! kudos to you for making the most of a great opportunity. You rocked it! Having fun is what it’s all about! Yummy lime green!
Thank you Marcia. I know that you and so many others are pros at these kinds of events, but I really did feel like I accomplished something difficult. And I loved walking – gave me a chance to take the pictures!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Cardio is Dead; Long Live Cardio
I loved seeing all your pictures (even if I did miss cheering you on in person). You look so happy and awesome. Truly. You can’t fake it. I totally relate to the surgery/healing thing and I’m kind of scared about running for real again but I need to do it and prove to myself that I can. Congrats on your first half marathon!!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Hotel Room Workout
I was so disappointed that I couldn’t spot you in the crowd of onlookers by the Ferry. Next time, I guess! As to your recovery, go at a safe recovery pace as you work back into it. The few times I pushed past my pain during training, I paid for it.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Challenge Yourself to a Healthier You
Thank you so much for sharing this! You are such an inspiration! I think I would most likely get emotional if I crossed that finish line. I WILL do this one day!
Yes, Lisa, I do believe you will. It’s really in the mind. I hope to do another, but with a friend, so we can cheer for each other at the end!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Health Benefits of Adaptogen Herbs and Supplements: Adapt-tastic!
You did great!! I am SO glad that I met you!! Way to rock your run and finish with a bang!!
Rachel @RunningRachel recently posted..Nike Women’s Marathon Weekend Round Up Part 2 (Fun with New Friends)
I was happy to meet you too. But then, I knew I would like you more in person – people’s personalities really do shine through on Twitter!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..How Do Your Personality, Luck, and Gender Affect Your Health?
Congratulations! I already knew you were awesome though.
I had a similar experience this year. Though I’ve always said I would never run distance, for some reason this year I had this explainable desire to run a half marathon. It took me longer than I had hoped due to the onset of knee pain at mile 8. I slowed down but never stopped running and for that I am awesome. I didn’t tear up at the finish line. I was too preoccupied searching for carbs.
Kristen recently posted..Tomato Barley Soup; The Perfect Comfort Food
hahahahahhaa, love the ending of your story. Yup, mile 8 is about when my hip started to hurt. And it’s true, for that you truly are awesome.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Stumbling Blocks are not Walls: Setting New Fitness Challenges After Surgery
hooray!! your happy smile in the pics are a true testament to how proud and accomplished you must feel. weeee!!!
Yum Yucky recently posted..He Called Me a Fake-Azz Vegetarian (The Recipe)
Wheeeeee is right. I think it would be fun to do one of these with you. Not only would we laugh the whole time, you’d have yummy snacks stashed away in your pockets and cap!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Spark Your Brain with Exercise
I want to be awesome just like Alex
Doug recently posted..Best Body Workout – 2012 – Week 38 – Day 3
Well, Doug, that’s a lofty goal. Keep at it! heh heh
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Hamstring Stretches: 3 Wrong & 3 Right Ways
Thanks so much for sharing this amazing experience Alexandra!
I’m like you. No runner, much less a 1/2 marathoner. But I bet I could walk it, given cool music, great earbuds and a fantastic friend for inspiration!
You are AWESOME!
Tamara recently posted..#FatblasterFriday | ABSolutely Amazing All Abs Workout
Okay, grab your earphones and we’ll find a half to WALK together. We can wear t-shirts (that you knit) that say, “I”m with her. We’re already awesome.”
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..3 Stealth Saboteurs of Your Weight Loss
congrats!!!
way to go!!!!
Tara Burner recently posted..What To Do When You’re Not “Feeling” It
Thanks Tara. I was afraid I’d take a wrong turn and wander off, but it turns out these things are well marked!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Diet Cheat Days: Yes or No?
YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And YES, age is just a number! Don’t tell us we are too old to do something!
I loved the pics – you are so cool!!!!
Jody – Fit at 54 recently posted..Breast Cancer Awareness/Healing Thoughts Appreciated; Workout Clothes & Charity
Thanks, Jody! Age is a number, but lately not one that matches my mental image of what I used to think was 50+. Things are different for our generation! And that’s good, because I enjoy exercise. Thank goodness the era of thinking it was harmful to women is over.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Diet Cheat Days: Yes or No?
U R AWESOME! And I am so happy for you.
Elle recently posted..Friday Favorites… Fun 4 You 2
Thank you Elle. I felt everyone encouraging me via Twitter during the marathon, and it helped with those last few miles.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..How Do Your Personality, Luck, and Gender Affect Your Health?
I just read your blog. Congratulations big time. What a challenge. What a success. Hooray for you!
Love forever,
Mom
Thanks, Mom! Wonder where we got our tenacity?
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Health Benefits of Adaptogen Herbs and Supplements: Adapt-tastic!
You are absolutely amazing! I have walked a half marathon (in Jamaica at the Reggae Marathon) and it’s not easy. I cried at the end too. I was so thankful hubby was so supportive and walked the entire way with me although he could have probably kicked some marathon butt.
I love those Yurbuds, must get a pair sometime. Their oxygen station is something I could have used for sure.
So proud of you!
Angie (Losing It and Loving It) recently posted..Top 5 Fitness Mistakes Most Beginners Make
Thank you Angie. Your locale sounds pretty enticing, although probably hotter than San Francisco. I truly went into it thinking it would be fairly easy – I mean, it’s just walking, right? But it was a long 13 miles, and you really do have to have a strong will those last few. Can you believe that the Yurbuds oxygen station had no line? My good luck! I sat there for about 15 minutes and didn’t feel guilty because NO-ONE was waiting.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Spark Your Brain with Exercise
You Are Awesome!!! I’m proud of you.
Thank you Mo-Mom. I get some of that from a certain Dad.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Stumbling Blocks are not Walls: Setting New Fitness Challenges After Surgery
You’re TOTALLY AWESOME! In fact, you just become more and more awesome all the time, while I just become more of an OUTLIER! Ha ha ha!
Seriously: What you achieved here was fabulous, and will hopefully inspire others to follow your lead. Imagine doing this such a short time after your surgery. But you put the time and effort into building yourself back up to where you had been, and finished this event. I very proud of you, you awesome and totally fit cutie pie, you!
Smooches,
John
P.S. Wasn’t “The Yurbuds” the name of Led Zeppelin before they changed it to “Led Zeppelin”?
*smart ass smirk*
Smile on me Jimmy Page:
Smile on me baby,
Make me feel like summer’s here.
Smile on me baby,
Make me feel good when you’re near.
Prove it to me baby,
That our love is in the clear.
Walk with me baby,
Make me hold my head up high.
Walk with me baby,
Make me feel the greatest guy.
I’m gonna love you baby,
Love you till you cry.
According to the above lyrics, you have to walk the next half marathon with me. Lace up those shoes! And download the Yardbirds onto your iPod. And get the orange Yurbuds!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Hamstring Stretches: 3 Wrong & 3 Right Ways
Awesome just isn’t quite an awesome enough word to full capture your awesomeness!