26.2....Part 2

You can read Part 1 here


The gun sounded and we were off running side by side.
I looked up and saw the sun shinning in my face with only silhouettes of people in front of me. It was the most breathtaking sight I have ever seen. The fog of everyone's cold breath on that cold fall morning. It was such an amazing moment that I will never forget, and then this song came on my playlist.

I Can Only Imagine...by MercyMe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnhDyc7AZ5U

I just only added this song on Wednesday before the race. It's not my normal playlist music. I'm more the dance/rap/fast music kind of girl. But I knew I might need a little more motivation to get me through this. I'm not a very outspoken Christian. I am a Christian but I don't promote it or shout it from the mountain tops. Not that I'm embarrassed but I believe because everyone has their own way of doing things and this is mine.

Anyways, so this song came on as I was seeing this beautiful picture of silhouettes and the crisp fall air, to say I was overcome with emotion is an understatement. I had tears running down my face after mile 1 nobody knew since I had my sunglasses on. It was perfect. It was the perfect moment. It was my moment. It was the moment I've worked at for a year. You know that feeling of butterflies, excitement, and joy you get. I had that feeling while the song played. Overcoming obstacles and nay-sayers, becoming the person I was meant to be. Unveiling that fit, happy, giddy girl that has been hidden by the unhappy, fat girl for so long. I pushed through those walls and knew in that moment that I was meant for such great things. Great things that I'm doing, great things that have yet to come. I can only imagine where my life will lead and all these thoughts were rushing through my head like a tidal wave.

I really don't remember too much of anything from that moment to mile 3. I was just overcome and couldn't believe that I was doing this. I saw a woman struggling with her child at mile 3. The little guy was crying probably because he was cold. I mean it was almost freezing. I ran up behind the stroller and told her to run next to him while I pushed, thinking maybe if he saw his mommy he would calm down. I would like to say that rainbows and unicorns appeared and all went well but he continued to cry and just wanted to be held. She gave me a warm smiled and we parted ways. I wished her luck and ran up to my runner peeps. Mile 4 was coming into view and guess what I had to pee....no big surprise in tiny bladder land that I reside in. So I amped up my speed and ran ahead of the group so I could pee. I came out of the potty and my group passed me and were super far ahead of me. I tried my hardest to get up to them but I was having a hard time, so I decided "eff" it. I'm going to watch my pace and do this. I just kept the pace of 11:25 and was doing so well. I was so proud of myself. I took my head phones out for minute to readjust and heard someone yell.."Go Nicole, you're doing great!" "Great Job Nicole". Ok, cue the head scratch and who the hell was that. I had no idea who the people were, and then the lightbulb went on...oh yeah my name is on my bib. Yes, again dork moment. LOL So, for awhile I kept one ear bud out (which is what your suppose to do, but I'm a rebel) to hear the cheers from literally strangers.

At Mile 10 I was excited to see our support crew. If you ever run a race this long try to have a support person there. Someone to grab your layers, or hold your extras, give you whatever you need.

Reeva and M

So I saw our support crew. Stripped off my outer fleece layer, gave her my sunglasses, and gloves and I was off and running. I was doing great. Reeva was like "you look great, you're doing awesome"

And I was off and running at 13.1 I checked my watch, 2:40..woohoo. That was amazing. When I ran my half I did it in 3:05 & 3:01. So I was so pleased with the pace I was running.
We were coming up on a tunnel and then had to run up a hill. A lady I had been playing tag with (she would run and stop and walk, I would run and pass her and then walk, etc), started to walk a couple feet right after the tunnel and I yelled to her..."No Way, let's race to the gatoraide. Comn' you can't walk to the gatoraide. Walk after you get it". She laughed at me and so we raced up the hill, grabbed our gatoraide and high fived each other. I told her good luck and that she has this. We turned the corner and were on a rural road with a cornfield on one side and nobody in sight.
Then I popped in my earbuds in both ears and heard this song and it kept me moving...

Feeling my way through the darkness
Guided by a beating heart
I can't tell where the journey will end
But I know where to start

They tell me I'm too young to understand
They say I'm caught up in a dream
Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes
Well that's fine by me

[2x]
So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost

I tried carrying the weight of the world
But I only have two hands
Hope I get the chance to travel the world
But I don't have any plans

Wish that I could stay forever this young
Not afraid to close my eyes
Life's a game made for everyone
And love is the prize

 So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost

Didn't know I was lost
I didn't know I was lost
I didn't know I was lost
I didn't know 

 

If you're not familiar it's Wake Me Up by Avicii..It's awesome and has a great beat.

Anyways, seriously I should have taken a picture of how lonely this road was....so I took a picture because I knew the magic 16.2 was almost here and that meant only 10 more miles.

Mile 16.2 only 10 more miles

 

 

I was doing great feeling great and then..................BAM...I hit the wall of death at mile 18.

 

And that is where I'll leave you hanging...the end and part 3 will be up tomorrow. Sorry about the 3 parter but really if I don't it would seriously be a small novel or novella if you're classy.