This past weekend, i went up to Boise to run my first 1/2 marathon with Eric. It always makes me so nervous to run with him because he is an amazing runner. So amazing, he runs faster than Lance Armstrong (inside joke), but he really does, and has ran Boston marathon several times. Eric was the one who introduced me to this great sport and has helped train me and turn me into the "runner" i am becoming, so part of my nervousness is proving to him and showing him i can do it.
The farthest i had run prior to this 13.1 miler, was 10 miles, so 3 miles of un-known territory made me very nervous. Eric is doing his first 1/2 ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 run) the week after my marathon, so Eric rode his bike beside me the whole time. He carried my gatorade and gu and cheered me on. At mile 10, i started to feel it, my legs were tired and it took everything in me to put one foot in front of another. I took a GU (nasty snot gel stuff that gives you energy) and in about 15 min, had a boost of energy that helped push me on. The last 1.5 Eric supported me and encouraged me and when his house was in sight, i got a little emotional as i could see and end and was so proud of this huge accomplishment. Never in a million years did i ever think i would be able to run such a distance. When i first started running with Eric, i could not even run a 1/4 mile without stopping. It was a great self- accomplishment, but also very excited that i could make Eric proud as well.
Now Eric is an incredible runner, and i grew up swimming, so i had the great opportunity to help Eric learn the techniques of swimming. So Saturday before i ran, i went to the pool with him to support him in his swim and it was great to see how much he had improved. I told him he looked like a long time swimmer. I got an understanding of how he must feel to see me run and accomplish that, because i was proud to watch him swim! He is going to do great at his 1/2 ironman!
For all those of you who do not know Eric, he is married to my uncle's sister. It is complicated, so i just call him my uncle! Ha!
18 comments:
Shout out to bubbles swim school for keeping you in shape so you could run so far!!!
So there is hope for me!! Running looks so fun but I can run like not even a mile and then I am super tired!! On the other hand my brother will wake up Saturday mornings and run 13 miles just for fun!!!
Two thumbs up for you!! You rock Jess I can't even make it around the block before I want to pass out. You are a strong women and I admire you!!! I wish I had it in me but I prefer candy and the couch. Love ya and GREAT job.
I am so proud of you Jes!!! I can't even imagine 13.1 (love the .1 by the way, so Eric :)
We are looking forward to seeing you monday!
Great job Jessica, we are very proud of you and your accomplishments. Keep up the good work, we love ya, gma and gpa
hey way to go! I totally got the chills reading this! I know after your stop--due to surgery last year you had even more ambition to get this under your belt...congrats!! I'm way proud of you! I think the whole story of you and "uncle" eric is pretty cool...it's nice you guys have eachother to cheer on! keep it up, i'll be excited to hear about the up-coming marathon
You rock!! I can't believe you are so close to running your first marathon. That is so awesome and I am SUPER impressed. Come see us soon. We can watch Chariots of Fire for inspiration.
You totally have me so motivated!!! Really. I want to do that so bad. I don't think I could get to the end of our street with out stopping. How did you build up?
We have that Gu crap at our house for Kev's biking. I don't have the nerve to try it. Try Shot Blocks. I haven't yet, but my little Spencer loves them. Yea, I don't think he needs them either!!!
Mindy: I love that you remember bubble swim school! Ha!
Lindsey: 13 miles for fun, i need to talk to your brother! Ha! Did i tell you Brett is having a girl? Jayla in May. Very excited, but a little bummed a girl! Ha ha!
Tash: Candy and the couch, sounds good! Thanks for your support! Love ya!
Jenna, the .1 was Eric. 13 miles was on the training schedule, but he wanted it to be a true 1/2 marathon. When he told me that we were at about 12.9, so thinking he added another .10, felt like adding another 10 miles! Ha! You are a great support!
Grandma and Grandpa: Love you! Thanks for everything!
Jamie: It has been rough, and yes, the surgery has pushed me even more to accomplish this. You are sweet, thanks for keeping me motivated!
Aubrey: I have never seen chartiots of fire! Lets plan it! I know the music though! I need all the inspiration i can get!
Kjersten: i am looking up a 5K, so you can come do it with me! Build up is slow. You increase your mileage weekly, but just a little at a time! You can do it!! And Gu, yuck...Dont try it unless you have to, it is nasty snot like stuff. But it really does work! Try the sport beans, they are like jelly beans! Yum!!!
That really gives me courage to try. I would also not be able to run a whole mile and I would love to build up the stamina to last longer and get healthy. How often do you run?
Abby had this surgery called Deflux and if it had worked she wouldn't have to take antibiotics everyday. About 80% of kids outgrown this, but close to 80% also have a successful surgery. We are hoping that she will outgrow this but we have to wait about 9 months before they even test it again, so she has to take medicine everyday until this goes away.
Nat, no fun! Hope she grows out of it soon eh? I run 6 days a week! PSYCHO!!! But that way i have the longer distances spread out, with one main long run on saturday! You could do it too!!
Congrats Jess! I'm so excited for you! That really is such an incredible feat. I don't think there's anyway that I would ever be able to run 13.1 miles. It sounds to me like you're ready to take on the marathon.
So I just got your comment on my blog...Cara is my cousin! That is so funny that you introduced them!! What an incredibly small world!
YEAH RIGHT JESS!! You never come to visit! And Shawn is rich, he will be staying at the four seasons or something!!
Oh my gosh!!! Adam and I were just wondering how you were doing and what you were up to! Running marathons...you are awesome! You look really great and sound so super happy
I am tired after reading that...and I did not even walk 13.1 miles....I am proud of you!
Hey you know licking them made them work better!!!
Haaa haaa...it's because I just BARELY put it up and emailed everyone saying that I had a blog up (I emailed people this last weekend...but your email bounced back...so I need your current email addy). I've missed you terribly and hated that I haven't been able to see you at all the Trisha events. Miss ya!!! P.S. I went to log onto the gangsalltogether and I had to sign in and all of a sudden it's tagged onto my name...how can I pass that torch off to you?
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