Chicago Marathon 2010

First off, I want to thank everyone SOOOO much for the inspiration and the encouragement you gave me prior to my very first marathon!  I want to fill everyone in on the long-drawn out-drama that lead up to it...a few minor things happened Saturday and Sunday morning, but I don't have time now. 

I did want to let everyone know that I completed it with a time of 5:20:01.  Not under 5:00 like I hoped, but finished none the less, and I truly enjoyed it!!!  That was what I wanted...I wanted to look back at this momentous occasion and have happy thoughts about something soooo outrageously cool!  Something that in a million years I would never think I could possibly accomplish...and I did! 

I COMPLETED 26.2 MILES WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE!  I CAN CALL MYSELF A TRUE MARATHONER!  I AM SOOOO PROUD OF MYSELF!

We are the tutu girls!  I am on the far left...with a yellow tutu and bright yellow 26.2 visor!

Can't wait to fill you in on all of the details later this week!

26.2 MILES OR BUST!

XOXO,
Stephanie

Chicago Puking Butterflies plus a Runalicious Winner!

Yes, I apologize for not blogging much this past week.  I am gearing up for my very first marathon in Chicago this weekend, and I am utterly, pukifingly, butterfly swarming nervous!!!  I try not to think about it, but then someone else comes up to me and asks me if I am nervous...What the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks do you think???  Would you be nervous if you had to go run longer than you have ever had to run...in a different city where you are driving over 5 hrs to get to, with family coming with you to cheer you on, and with a crowd that I know will be amazing, but will make me that much more nervous...would you be nervous if you had to run

26.2 miles?!?!?

Yes freakin way I am nervous!  I'm so nervous it makes me want to cry to think about it.  I have sooo many doubts in my head about this, and it just SUCKS!!!  I want this to be fun, and I want to enjoy this, but I just keep thinking back to my 1/2 marathon in April, where I just knew I was ready, and then because of the nerves, and the excitement around me, and everything else, I blew it...I didn't run like I wanted to, and I doubted myself the whole way.  How the heck can I get over this before Sunday, so I can just relax...take it all in, and enjoy it!  All I want to do is enjoy it....I'm starting to cry as I type this....

So, you can see why I haven't blogged all week...I know everyone has such postive posts out there about all of their goals for their marathon...Goal A, Goal B, Goal C....and I feel I should be just as positive, but on a strong face and set MY goals, but right now, that is not what I want to do....right now I want to get over these stupid nerves and stupid self-doubts and enjoy this!!!  I want this to be an accomplishment I remember forever...but in a positive way!  This may be my only marathon I ever run, and I want it to be something I am proud of.
So, as I take the next day or so to figure out how to overcome all of my issues, I will announce the winner to the Runalicious shirt giveaway. 
This giveaway was one of my best, as far as responses.  It looks like the Runalicious girls should be proud...EVERYONE loves their stuff!  So, if your not the winner, out of the 108 enteries, don't fret...just hurry over to their website and order something...It can be an early Christmas present to yourself!

So, I used Random.org, and out of 108 enteries, it chose #75

#75 is Jill at Run For the Hills

Yea for you!!!  Please email me your mailing address, and I will get your shirt out to you soon!

Thank you for everyone who entered...and thank you to the Runalicious girls for hosting such a GREAT giveaway!
I hope to be back...in better spirits...with 26.2 miles under my belt....next week! 

XOXO,
Stephanie