Make That a Double
Make That a Double
Make That a Double
Long time no blog!
I'm back with much to share, so grab a snack and get comfortable because you know Ilike to be wordy.:)
Ireceived a cost estimate for the plastic surgery Irecently posted about and looked into. For a tummy tuck and brachioplasty (arms), the total comes to just under $9,000. When Iheard this amount, Icried, right there on the phone with the kind lady who was giving me the news. Iwas most fearful of disappointment,and there it was.
Iwent through thoughts of "Why did Ieven bother to go?Surely you knew no matter what amount it was that you couldn't afford it." Well, true enough, but Ithink what was important was that Ifaced my fear and went anyway. Idid that, and it wasn't easy. Ibelieve that this dream of mine isn't done just yet. Iknow that Ideserve to have this surgery, and that Iwill have it someday. I refuse to give up hope about this!
This past weekend Mark and Iheaded to Springfield, Mo. for the Cohick half marathon. It was to be his second half marathon and my 7th (Ithink?)
We headed to the Bass Pro Shop for packet pick up and I had been tossing the idea around that maybe I'd run the full marathon. My thoughts were that this wasa unique opportunity to run another without having to go through training again to do so, and also that with ideal weather, Ihada shot at bettering my finish time from the Chicago Marathon last month. Iwasn't exactly certain that Ihad the ability to run the distance again; Ihadn't done a long run past 9 miles in a month and wasn't sure how far I'd be able to go out there. But, Idecided, upon Marks encouragement as well as a few friends, that I'd go ahead and give it a go.
Iwon't lie and say Iwasn't a bit apprehensive about running the full the next morning. Iwas. Iwasn't nervous, though, which was very uncharacteristic of me! We had learned earlier about Team 413, and decided to join. All you have to do is buy a shirt and wear it during the race and you're a member. Ilove the idea of being able to help anyone behind me in a race keep their mindset positive, so Iwas excited to wear the new gear.
We headed out race morning bright and early and arrived in time for the pre-race service that was being held. It was a nice way to start the day and I'm glad we were able to be a part of it.
Pretty soon we were lined up at the start and ready to head out. Mark and Iran the first 3/4 mile together and then the course split off- half marathon runners turned left, marathon runners turned right. With a quick kiss and a "do your best", we headed off in opposite directions. Iheard Mark say something like "It's like the crossroads of life!"and everyone around was cracking up and Ijust shook my head and grinned.
The weather was about 40 degrees; a crisp, sunny, fall morning. Ifelt fantastic. There were maybe 5 runners in front of me and 5 behind. I knew this was going to be a very relaxed atmosphere with so few marathoners. I liked it very much!
Inoticed immediately that this was a winding and hilly course through neighborhoods, mostly. It was beautiful but Idid have some concern about the hills, even though Iwasn't struggling at all on them.
Click here if you want to see that I'm not exaggerating about the course.
The miles came and went, and as Iapproached mile 8, Imet the mother of all hills. Iwalked up a good portion because Iknew it wasn't worth zapping my energy long term just to make it up there quickly.
Around mile 11 Icame upon a fellow TEAM413 shirt runner wearing a fish hat. Ican't remember what Isaid, but we began talking immediately and learning more about one another. Her name was Lesley, and she told me that she is on state 38 of running a marathon in all 50 states!Incredible!We stayed together for several more miles, and she even waited for me to duck into a portapotty, take off the long sleeved shirt Ihad under my TEAM 413 shirt, and put myself back together. For the record, it's not easy to take off sweaty, fitted running gear when you've got on a belt full of Gu, an armband for your iPod, and a hat on. Oh, and you're in a portapotty and trying not to let anything on you touch anything around you. But Idigress...
Ihad mentioned that this was my second marathon and that Ihad run Chicago last month. She said she had run there as well, and went on to say that she was wearing some type of a "National Enquirer" type costume thing. Iremembered seeing her immediately, and where we were on the course!Now that is nothing short of astonishing for a number of reasons: 1. Irarely notice things around me when I'm running. 2. If Ido notice, Idon't remember noticing. 3. There were 36,000 runners that day on the course! What a crazy thing to have discovered. I'm still processing what that is about, but nonetheless I'm excited to have a new friend fromTexas and Ihope to be able to race with her again someday.
We eventually seperated out there, as she was trying to pace herself a bit and Iwas in the mindset that Iwas going to run out of steam sooner or later, and I may as well take action while Iwas able to.
Ibegan really laboring around mile ...17, maybe?Then by 19 Ibegan eating and drinking a lot more than Idid in Chicago. Ifelt better every single time Iforced something down my throat and even though Ihad no desire to eat, Ikept taking what was offered at tables along the way. (In case you're wondering, it was gummy bears, Jolly Ranchers, pretzels, goldfish crackers, licorice, jelly beans, half a banana. Not in that order and not too many of any one thing.)
Isaw Mark and his parents between 22 and 23,Ibelieve, and Ifelt so loved to see his dad cheering and jumping around and them standing there with their arms full of goodies so I could eat and drink!It was so kind of them to drive down and spend the day showing support and Iknow that Mark felt the same way I do about this. Mark finished his second ever half marathon in 3:05 and then spent the next 3 hours supporting me and cheering me on as well as helping me take an ice bath and get our gear loaded up to drive home.Ithink it goes without mentioning that I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have him in my life!
At mile 24 Iasked someone what time it was. Iwas told 12:06. Iknew that to finish in 5:30 that I'd have to keep less than a 12 pace to the end. But, Ikept having to walk, so Ijust walked as fast as Icould and ran in spurts when Iwas able to. About 3/10 of a mile to the finish, Icame upon 2 women. One to my left, one to my right. We were all exhausted but Itold them"We can do anything for a few minutes!" and we all began running faster toward the finish line. As Ineared the turn to enter the finish chute, Iheard the announcer over the loudspeaker call someone's time at 5:26. Iscreamed and threw my arms up and took off. Icouldn't believe Iwas going to clear 5:30 after all!Iheard Mark screaming "Go Carrie, go!Finish strong!"and Igave it my all. And Inearly puked. Thankfully, Ididn't. :)
This race was not anything spectacular compared to the experience Ihad in Chicago, but it was a great race and Iam thankful Iwas able to run it well and make a new friend along the way. Official finish time was 5:26:28. Iplaced 20th in my age group and Iam proud to say I beat my pr by 26 minutes!
**Ibegan typing this early in the day. Frequently, I will have to stop and pick up where Ileft off before finishing an entry. Today, I had written about the plastic surgery phone call and then worked on some other tasks before coming back to talk about my race experience. During that time Ireceived a phone call that Iwas unable to answer because Iwas with a weight loss patient and my phone is on silent. Upon checking my voicemail, I discovered that the lady who works for the plastic surgeon had called to let me know that she had emailed the Dr. and that they wanted to see if they could help me out any further with costs for the procedures I'd like to have done. My first thought was "God is so good to me!" and then "Who does that?Who calls and offers to make things more affordable!?" Iam so excited Ican't stand it. Ididn't give up hope and even said as much up above in this entry; and then this happens!I have to believe that somehow this is going to work out for me. Ican feel it. Idon't know how, but it's going to,and Ican't wait to see how it all unfolds!
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