Orlando Run TEAM

March 19 marked a special milestone for me in my journey toward personal fitness.  After having trained four months to run my first marathon, the day was finally here.  Many people helped me prepare for this:  my husband Len, the Luna Chix (including Belinda who was conquering this same feat with me), friends from the Y and more.  My training instilled in me the confidence I needed to know I could physically finish the race that day.  But I needed more than that.  It was those instances of moral support along the way (and on the race course that day) that I reflected on most to get me through the rough spots of that 26.2 mile distance.

The great advice to push through it “with a smile” made me grin and convinced me that I was actually enjoying mile 19 - the point where I hit the proverbial “runner’s wall”.  And, as I was anxiously pushing thru the last few miles, I kept picturing all those military heroes who lined the streets of Camp Pendleton on race day just to cheer us on.  Truly inspirational.  I also dedicated each mile to a special person or group of persons who sparked some of the fire in me to set out on this mission in the first place.  Thinking of them during that particular mile further made me smile and helped me forget some of the aches and pains I was experiencing!

So, what’s next with this goal behind me?  Maybe another marathon next year, and one that I run with a time goal.  But as for here and now, my focus is on the upcoming 3rd season of Team Luna Chix Orlando Run!  My goal is to pass on some of that inspiration to help motivate others toward accomplishing a personal milestone - whether it’s running one’s first mile or first marathon!