26.2 people

Running a marathon is like... well, I hear its difficult. Have you heard about the "Wall" that some people face during a marathon? Basically, running for that long of a time period can get pretty intense. I have learned of a little mental trick to help me get through any road blocks that I may face during my very first marathon. The "trick" is that for every mile that I am about to run, I am supposed to think about, or dedicate that mile to a specific person, and therefore I can't give up on that mile and let that person down. Get it? This is my list, written down for accountability purposes.. (there is no way I am going to let any of you down):



1. The first mile is dedicated to my dad, because he is going to be there at the start with me.

2. Mile 2 is for ... I am stuck already! .. I don't want to put anyone in mile 2 because I know that my adrenaline is going to be pumping, and I am not even warmed up yet, let alone about to give up. Ok- mile 2 if for ... my dog, Frankie.

3. Mile 3 is for Sweet Lily who is now 3 years old!

4. During mile 4 I will be thinking about my SIL, Audrey, who has 4 kiddos, and who has just started running herself.

5. Since I am thinking about SIL's, the fifth mile is for my other SIL, Jessica, who also has picked up on running!

6. Ok, so moving on to my sister, Shelly. Hopefully I will be able to stay with her and do the Virginia Beach marathon for my birthday.

7. Lucky 7 is for FRC's Lucy. Always bubbly and kind.

8. This mile is for my dear son, Gavin, who turns 8 just 2 days before I run!

9. Of course I can't leave out my other son, Dean. Mile 9 is for my handsome baby boy!

10. First 10 Done!!! Mom in law, Chris.

11. My mom

12. TC

13. Half-Way point! Ready to turn around and come back where I started! I will be thinking about coming home to my babies!

14. Papa, and heaven.

15. Next is my big Brother.

16. Then Randy

17. And of obviously next comes Marcie

18. I think mile 18 will be dedicated to FRC president Bruce, who just completed his very first marathon, and qualified for Boston during it!

19. My mile 19 is supposed to be for this happy old man I saw walking around the airfield on my last long run. I passed him a few times and he was just so happy and was cheering me on.. he just makes me smile.

20. Almost done! Just a 10k left (maybe just over an hour to go) I will be thinking about FRC vp, Candi, who is one tough cookie, and just took 45 mins off of her last marathon.

21. Keeping with the FRC theme, Tamera is next. She pushed me through my very first 13 mile run, and always told dirty stories up hills to make me not think about the climb.

22. My old high school friend Pia is next. I saw a picture of her doing the Disneyland marathon a year or two ago, and I was so inspired that I started racing myself.

23. I will be thinking about my neighbor, Susan, who is the ultimate super-mom. PTO, FRG leader, up for the "family of the year", Yard of the month winner. It seems like everything she does is 110%!

24. Next I will be thinking about my (former) neighbors; the Smiths and their unending generosity, Amy Texas who is one tough cookie, and all of the other good friends that have come and gone so fast in this army community.

25. This maybe one of the most difficult and challenging miles, I will be imagining squirrels, and my good friend, Eileen, who just completed an ultra-marathon! (50 miles!)

26. Big #26 is for Sylvia, who should be waiting at the finish line for me.

0.2 This last 2 tenths of a mile is for my finishers medal, and for the Mai Tai I am about to drink! So I guess, more or less, the last little bit I am running for me.