The Powells: 03/01/2011

I felt very prepared and physically ready for the run today. Of course I stayed up until midnight getting things ready for the kids and making a sign for me to wear during the race. Fast forward – it’s 5:30 AM and alarm is buzzing. I had a super night of sleep with an extra child in my bed (are you picking up on the sarcasm?) I get my gear on and head downstairs. I decide to snap a quick picture of my race number and my signs. Everything is laid out so there is NO chance Tom can forget anything when he packs up the kids and I will see them at the finish line.

16106 - my new lucky number!

Cute sign I made at midnight

I thought I would need some extra support from my fellow runners to make it to the finish line.

I leave the house at 6 AM, head downtown to park and cannot figure out how to make it to my parking area, due to the road closings. My GPS thinks I am crazy, I keep circling the place I need to get to but due to the one ways, I never make it. I am irritated I don’t know my way around downtown better, I am driving Tom’s monster truck and cannot fit in a deck. I am starting to get flustered and I finally give up and pay some guy to park in an open lot. Suddenly, I realize – I do not have my race number or sign for my back!!! WHAT?!?!? I mean really, who forgets that??? I immediately burst into tears and start doubting even doing the race. (Looking back, lame – I know!!!) I start to gain a little composure, then I realize I forgot my wedding rings (I haven’t done this in years!!!) and now I am in a full blown meltdown and I don’t want to get out of the car. I let the tears flow for a minute and then I start talking to myself and realize – get it together, it’s okay. I need to get out of the car and head toward the start line because the race begins at 7 am. Still tearful, irritated and mad at myself I head towards the Adaptive Learning Center booth….of course I had to call someone at the booth and they practically escorted me there, because at this point I probably couldn't’t find my way out of a cardboard box! We make our way to the start line and off we go, next time we are back at Centennial park we will have run 13.1 miles. I thought the course was great, downhill the first couple of miles and slight hills throughout – nothing too major. The crowds were awesome and so enthusiastic, that definitely made the race fun for me. I find my pace and things are going great, I don’t even look at my watch until mile 8 and I am actually a little ahead of schedule. While running, I whip out the phone and text Tom “At 8 and I feel great!” I run through Little Five Points and all the cute neighborhoods, then at the water stop I hear “One more Mile!” What? Already?? I am super pumped and feel good. Next thing I know the crowd is getting larger and then I see my dear, sweet, friend running towards me with my number!!! I see Berkeley before she sees me – she gives me the number with pins and everything. I don’t stop and I frantically pin all four pins on moments before I cross the finish line. I may not have my exact time – but I have my number! As I cross over the finish line I hear Kindrea, Berkeley and Elizabeth shouting my name, I waive and finish strong – I did it!!! My family and cheering team come and find me after Publix hooked us up with a bag full of groceries. I am so thankful for my sweet hubby and kids making my day special. I am absolutely grateful and blessed for my friendships with Kindrea and Berekely – they are incredible friends and we have been through so many experiences together….how many friends will leave their three young children at 7 am on a Sunday, drive in from the country to come watch their friend breeze through a finish line in seconds? ...Kindrea will!!! With just a couple hours of sleep, how many friends will come out and cheer you on while watching all three of your kids? ....Berkeley will, not to mentioned she sprinted about two miles, glad she had her tennies on!!! I love these girls so much and now I am ready to cheer them on – so let’s sign up for race!

My cheerleaders!Daddy and crew

I mentioned Thomas was my motivation for the race. I built a website, Training for Thomas (it will be active until the end of April), check it out and please share it with others. The Adaptive learning Center is an extremely unique organization and want people to know its out there! many thanks to all of you that have supported me during training, over the website and your sweet messages on facebook - it has been an adventure and I hope to keep up the training, any recommendations on another race?