I DID IT!!!

So anyone who knows me, knows I've been training to run the Cherry Blossom 10 miles race since December. Five months ago I decided to challenge myself like I never have before. I made the decision to run 10 miles, when at that point I never ran a mile. You see both of my roommates are huge runners. They are obsessed with it. I felt like I was missing out on something truly amazing, which is why I decided to run.
Training officially started January 2nd 2009. I had a program I stuck to, so I could run 10 miles in April. Sadly, I had a few set backs. The first was getting sick late February. It was awful...I couldn't run or anything. I totally got behind on my training because of it. Two...when I started training outside my legs started getting really bad shin splints. THEY SUCK...so the icing and the pill popping began. So, to say I was nervous is a VERY BIG understatement. I thought about flaking out...but I knew my sister & friend/trainer KC would kill me. I would be disappointing myself as well.
So...the day comes for the Cherry Blossom race. I'm feeling good. The night before I iced my shins, so I'm thinking I'm prepared. Of course I feel like I'm about to vomit, but luckily I'm too anxious to eat, so I'm safe. ;-) I started running with my sister and at first I thought I'm good, my shins feel fine. Then the pain hits..it wasn't good. I kept thinking how the heck am I going to run 10 miles with my legs feeling like they're on fire. My eyes were watering not only from the pain but from disappointing my sister and myself. I told my sis to keep going and I'd be right behind, but that I couldn't keep her pace with my legs. So, I started pushing through the pain...limping/running. Have you ever seen the movie Run Fatboy Fun? Well, if you have that was me. Running as much as I could..telling myself not to give up.
When I got to the 5 mile mark I was literally at a crossroad. Do I give up or do I keep going in danger of getting picked up by the short bus? With every mile I saw my time going up and I REALLY did not want to get picked up by the short bus. Now...the short bus picked up anybody going over a 14 minute mile. I felt like I had the devil and an angel on my shoulders, but I couldn't tell who was who. Was it the devil telling me I couldn't do it? OR..was it the angel telling me God gives your body pain signs for a reason you idiot. lol Anywho..I decided to get mad and SCREW the pain in my legs and the all hovering short bus and TRY. Because I'll never forgive myself for quiting, even if it's a legitimate reason.
So, I set a steady pace and stayed with it. I even made friends with a few fellow struggling runners. :-) A cute little Asian woman was really sweet, a inspiring big boy with his hip hop music, and my running partner for the last 2 miles Christin. Christin was a lifesaver because right before I ran into her... I was praying for the short bus to come. I was thinking if the bus comes for me I'm not going to cry, I'm going to laugh and give the bus driver the BIGGEST HUG and thank him for picking me up from my nightmare. :-) THANK YOU..THANK YOU SHORT BUS DRIVER YOU'RE MY HERO. That was my speech I was going to give him. lol BTW: The short bus never came for me because I MADE IT! I ran 10 miles with horrible shin splints and all. I ran across the finish line and my wonderful beautiful trainer KC and sister were waiting for me YELLING my name!! :-) I DID IT!!

I'm so proud of myself. Even if I'm sitting here on my couch icing my shins and still popping pills as I write this. ;-) At least I didn't quit and had alot of fun pushing myself over the last 4 months. I'll keep running, but my sister still hasn't talked me into running it again next year. lol