Just here to continue the story......

This is not a....what do they call books where you must read books 1 and 2 to understand 3...interconnected.  I guess it could be or treated as a standalone. 

Almost ten years ago, on a day (or maybe an evening) in May, I pubished this blog post Just here to tell a story....  It was short compared to those I would write later.  It was more of an introduction and "trailer" as to what this blog would be about.  It's not a fancy blog.  There are no side bar ads or fancy menus....although I'm working to upgrade it.  

I would go on to make an effort to post something almost every week, coinciding with Weight Watcher meetings.   Some of my inspiration on what to talk about came from those meetings.  Not sure how I came up with the name of the blog, other than I like sparkly things and the color pink.  I blogged about the time a group of us tried bowling and indoor rock climbing.  Or the day we all ventured out to the 288 lake to do yoga on a paddle board.   These adventures were planned by a good friend of mine in Weight Watchers.  As she put it, she was trying to find an activity (or activities) that she liked to do and would enjoy doing.  We survived kayaking.  

I also blogged about the challenges or obstacles I encountered and how I dealt with them.  More times than not, the titles were usually inspired from the weekly meetings.  The one about paddle board yoga, for instance is titled Keep Calm and Embrace the Wobble and there was one about some days call for cheese doodles. 

I realized recently that the one day that would propel me into a decade (and counting) long journey almost sneaked by.  I've called it my aha moment.  But I also think, because of my stubbornness, God gave me a sign that I couldn't do it on my own and he was there to help.  Without repeating all the details you can read about in that post in May 2015, I was scared and so were just about everyone that cared for me.   I didn't know how I was to change everything I knew.  But it had to be done.  

I tried to chronicle (or write about) every new thing I experienced for the first time in what seemed like forever.  A friend of mine once said when she read my blogs, she felt like I was sitting next to her talking.  I hope those that have read it have the same feeling.  But as often as it does, life intervened and the posts became less frequent.  I hit a plateau and, in the world of Weight Watchers, although always a lifetime member, had to get back to that happy number.  And I did.....I think twice.   And am doing it again currently.  During the "good" years, I would finish 2 half marathons, step out in the dating world (only to retreat later - not for what you think), and take stock on who was in my circle.  

When I reached goal the first time, I proclaimed it would never come back.  What they say is true - never say never.  The last tine it came back, it stuck. Or I should say she stuck around.   I was at fault for not treating the mindset at the same time I was losing weight the first time.  Mindset is IMPORTANT with ANYTHING.  I've learned that over and over, but none so than just recently.   The first round (and probably the second round), the focus was on the physical and not mental.   

The blog has gone through some changes regarding the subjects at times.  I hope to pick it back up and chronicle (or talk about) the struggles I face (may always face).  There may be newbies who read a recent post and want more.  I always say, get sone coffee or wine, pick a comfy spot and read.   This is my story and I hope you find a bit of inspiration, hope, and maybe a bit of glitter.  

More than a conqueror

  "No, in all these things we are more than conquers through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37

Before I unpack all about Saturday, these are just a few of my favorites.

   "So happy for and proud for you. This was a truly hard thing."

   "You're awesome!"

   "Awesome!"

   "Amazing comeback Christina!"

   "Over the moon excited for you!"

   "Great comeback girl!"

    "Beyond happy for you and so proud of you! Nothing can keep you down!"

    "You're going to have a beautiful day!

    "Holy Moly. Enjoy every step, every moment because they are yours and they represent your victory!"

I probably have repeated the word excited way too much lately. On some level, I was psyching myself up for something I so wanted to do. Return to doing. My training most likely did not look like anyone else's. But I gave it all I had with my last training run last weekend. I finished five miles and I thought, If I can finish 5 miles then I can finish the 10k next Saturday. Everything was ready; outfit, shoes, socks, even the nails.  

     On Friday, I picked up my race packet for The Woodlands Marathon 10k.  It felt a little weird not volunteering but I told them I'd be back next year. A good friend of mine signed up for the race after I told her I was doing it as my comeback race. So I met her and stood in line with her to get her packet. Bib assignments were only a few numbers apart. There was a different air about the expo. I guess it was filled with...yes that word again...excitement.  We surveyed the expo and took a few pictures. Then it was off to prepare and be well rested for the next morning.

     I feel like I should back up a bit but if you have been following me and keeping up with the blog, it may be a bit redundant. I actually kept that I was doing the 10k a secret. And believe me, that's hard to do! My closet friends knew but I hadn't really told anyone else. Saturday morning, still feeling ready, nerves were a bit shaky.  Years past, the weather has been quite cold, rainy, but often a glorious day. Saturday was no exception. Sun came out in full force around 8:30 a.m. after a relatively cool start. The two of us started out doing good. I learned from past races, I took off running because, well everyone else did too and I wanted to be like them. But I would take off too fast then burn out early. My initial plan was to walk the first mile or so, then do some short run/walk intervals. That plan didn't happen. I psyched myself up days before thinking I could hit a goal of under two hours.  Spoiler alert: did not happen.  But the good things on the course were: my (new) hips and knees behaved and I wasn't out of breath. So, I am not sure why, after mile 3, things seemed to crater.  

     But the two of us finished! As we rounded the corner on the path to the finish line, and I don't know why they put the 10k people in the same lane as the full marathoners, and shared the 26.2 lane, we could see and hear the crowds. I knew the finish line was not that far off. I always try to save energy and run across the finish line. Today was no different. As we approached, I took off and ran across the finish line. No pain or discomfort. And did it happily....and smiling!  I am very humbled to have had the support of so many. While others trained for the half and full, I trained quietly for a 10k.  To go back a year ago, I initially deferred my half marathon to this year but realized after the second hip replacement, it wasn't conceivable (or smart) to train for a half.  

     After the finish, I felt a happiness I think has been lacking.  There were tears but they didn't leave my eyes.  It may have been the delirium. Or that I really did do a hard thing. The last race I did was in 2022, rather uncomfortably.  But Saturday, my hips and legs carried me through and finished 6.2 miles.  For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed sitting with the others and just soaking in all that was going on. Was I disappointed I didn't finish under 2 hours? Yes. Only because there was a time (and a different me) when I finished a half in under 3 hours. But as I was reminded, I finished a 10k after having two hip replacements within a year.  I took more pictures than I remember doing in years past. I even posed for one on the course, which I always shy away from.  

     I have had amazing motivation, inspiration, coaching, and education this last year.  These running friends and community have celebrated every bit of my recovery along with me, while they were out running 6-20 miles on Saturday mornings and I was giddy about completing 1, 2, and 3 miles, they still high-fived and cheered me on. They saw me at my worst and they stuck around to see me at my best. I learned that our accomplishments are not just ours.  Somehow, this last year, I have been encouraged and inspired more than any other time. By an awesome group of friends, near and far.  

     So what's next you might be thinking? One of the things I look forward to while training for a race, is the rest and recovery after. Rest and recovery, I learned, is vital after completing a race. So, I have about 3 days of rest and recovery. I'm back on the pavement later this week. I do have a plan.....or concepts of plan. Okay, my attempt at some humor. A few people know, most importantly my coach. And she is on board with it. I might as well spill the beans.  In 2026, it will be 10 years since my very first half marathon which was done in my own backyard.  I thought it was fitting to celebrate by returning to where it started. I signed up for The Woodlands Half Marathon. I am enthused (ah, thought I was going to use excited again didn't you) about it. I will tell you it will be done with glitter all the weigh!  

Christina 

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