Anything is STILL possible

"The body doesn't know the difference between nerves and excitement, panic, and doubt, the beginning, and the end.  The body just tells you to get the hell out.  Sometimes you ignore it....."

There's a lot to unpack.....shall I just write the Cliff Notes version?

It's been a few months since I posted.  There's been some highs and some lows. I finished my first long distance New Years weekend (previous post) (virtual 10 miler which I received a medal for) with titanium hips and was full on training for my 4th half overall and first with new hips.  

Marathon Weekend approached.  Nerves were ever present but I could see the finish line in my head.  Here's the short story version:  I DNFd.  Simple.  <I heard the gasp and the 'oh nos.'> I could ramble on psychologically about why but it doesn't change anything.  I will tell you it wasn't because of injury, if that puts you at ease.  I won't say when I stopped because I do not think it matters in the big picture.  I will say this though, she very much lives in my head and on race day, she was front and center.  If you want to know about her, read this post or this earlier one.  (Although I recently learned whose voices they really are). 

I took time to reflect on the training that was to lead to my 4th half marathon. Did I train hard enough?  Did I train ENOUGH? I will confess there were some Saturdays I didn't quite finish those training miles.  When I stopped at the benches I would pray to God for confidence and strength to get me to the finish line.  But I realized I did not tell him what finish line.  So, I did what any normal, crazy person who is addicted to this sport does, I signed up for the 2027 half marathon.  My redeemer race - we all have one.  I am still out there getting miles in and improving on my runs.  Taking a different approach.  After I had that moment, I joined others at the finish line and welcomed other tired souls who finished.  

So we move on.  Maybe make some changes.  Not one of the changes is to give up.  I have to redo my strategy.  Right now, there aren't any races on my radar right now....for 2026.  But who knows? 

April always brings Ironman Texas to my neighborhood.  So last weekend I did my annual tour of duty (very happily and excited) and worked all ay at athlete registration.  Beautiful day to meet the first timers, redeemers, and those going after number 30.  I got emotional with those preparing to do Ironman for the first time.  And those that were doing it together.  it reminds you that anything is possible - which is their mantra.   

So, you may ask, where does that leave me?  Well, you'll have to keep following me to see where I land.  But.....I will tell you I have brought back a couple of things I took off my goal list and moved something from my bucket list to the goal list.   Can't guarantee it'll be all highs, but they will be covered in Glitter all the Weigh! 

It’s a brand new year!

 "I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart." Psalm 9:1

So....here we are. A new year - 2026. The year of celebration and recreation of my first ever races. 

In November I finished our local turkey trot. It wasn't without some anxiety. As I stood at the very back waiting for the horn to blow, all I saw ahead was a sea of dark orange shirts. The race shirt was dark orange with the YMCA logo on the front. Every so often I spotted a turkey beanie. This turkey trot was the second event as part of my half marathon training. Before the event, I improved on my 5k time so I thought I would be okay. Anxiety got the best of me and I compromised and finished the 3 miles.

I used December to train for a virtual 10 miler that I did the first weekend of 2026. After I did my last half marathon virtually, I told myself I would never do a long distance virtual again. Well, here I was, training to do the Bridgeland 10 miler virtually. I trained for it, even hitting some milestones along the way. This past Saturday, I got up early and started off. And to be truthful, the first 6-7 miles were okay. But after mile 8, I started questioning my sanity. The sky was that beautiful shade of blue with very few clouds, giving way to the sun. Weather turned off quite cool meaning it was optimal running weather. I texted some friends saying I didn't think I could finish. They sent their 'you got this' and 'don't give up.' There was one who sent this text to a group: "Ladies, Christina is doing a 10 mile virtual and stuck on 8. She's at fleet feet. Can you go encourage her please? Maybe walk with her." At this point I think I had 1.5 miles left. Little by little the miles whittled down until all I had left was 1/2 mile to go. Wow! I was going to finish this. The longest I've gone since having double hip replacements and in the last 3-4 years. Along the way, I hit a couple of milestones. I'll get my medal in the mail later this week. This picture was taken as I finished the 10 miles.

So.....the first week in 2026. I still have work to do, after all I am training for my biggest event yet - The Woodlands half marathon. If you didn't get a chance to read my last post, read it here. As I was signing up for some events I realized I am recreating my first year of running and doing events. I cannot wait. I proved to myself finishing the virtual 10 miler, I can do the half next month. Fingers crossed it'll be as beautiful a day as it was Saturday. Oh, one of the milestones I hit Saturday was I finished within the goal I set for myself - by Garmin anyway. Elapsed time was longer because I stopped too much. I have no doubt I can finish within the goal I set for the half.

I found this cool app that is like a cheerleader for races. It's called Rally. Check out a link to the half I'm doing here. People can choose a mile and leave a voice note that I'll hear along the course. So if you want to be with me as I do this half marathon next month, choose a mile and leave a note! 

It's going to be a great year. Of course, I'll do it with glitter all the weigh!