Go Carli it’s your Birthday! Okay, so it’s not my B-day, but it felt like it. This morning when I got up at 6AM, I was so nervous that I was almost sick to my stomach. I had to pray and calm myself down. When I got in the car Maurette Brown Clark’s song “It Ain’t Over
” was on the radio, and gave me a big burst of inspiration. I reminded myself that I’ve done this before, and I can do it again. I stood with the crowd of 8,000 as we listened to Susan G. Komen’s sister give us words of encouragement. The Governor and Shawn Johnson, gold-medal winner on the balance beam at the 2008 Olympics
and winner of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars
, were also there to run in the race. Cardinal’s Hall of Famer Lou Brock
sounded the horn, and we were off. I didn’t let all the skinny people whizzing past me worry me. I was there to beat my time, not theirs. I kept a steady pace, and fed myself positive thoughts. “You have a website about running, you want to encourage others, you don’t want to be last, you’re almost done.” I took a swig of Gatorade at the refresh stand and kept it moving. The 1st mile is always the hardest. I was completely shocked when I saw the 2 mile marker, as my iPod
was a little behind on the distance. When I had about a half of a mile to go, the pavement texture changed, and I felt a blister on the bottom of my foot, and my feet starting tingling. “What the heck is going on I asked?” I’ve never had a blister, or tingling numb feet. I didn’t have time to figure it out, and I was super excited when I checked my time. I knew if I kept my pace, I could beat my original race time of 54 Minutes. When I was about 2 blocks from the finish line, there was my brother in law, the only person downtown in a Sunday Suit, video recording my final push. I turned the corner and saw the finish line, and the clock said 50 Minutes! I did it; the feeling was so overwhelming yet exhilarating. Everyone should experience the natural high of crossing the finish line. I met my goals, I wasn’t last, and I beat my time! Miss Missouri, gave me my medal that I proudly wore around my neck. This time when they asked “How do you Feel?” My answer was “Great!!!” 
” was on the radio, and gave me a big burst of inspiration. I reminded myself that I’ve done this before, and I can do it again. I stood with the crowd of 8,000 as we listened to Susan G. Komen’s sister give us words of encouragement. The Governor and Shawn Johnson, gold-medal winner on the balance beam at the 2008 Olympics and winner of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, were also there to run in the race. Cardinal’s Hall of Famer Lou Brock sounded the horn, and we were off. I didn’t let all the skinny people whizzing past me worry me. I was there to beat my time, not theirs. I kept a steady pace, and fed myself positive thoughts. “You have a website about running, you want to encourage others, you don’t want to be last, you’re almost done.” I took a swig of Gatorade at the refresh stand and kept it moving. The 1st mile is always the hardest. I was completely shocked when I saw the 2 mile marker, as my iPod was a little behind on the distance. When I had about a half of a mile to go, the pavement texture changed, and I felt a blister on the bottom of my foot, and my feet starting tingling. “What the heck is going on I asked?” I’ve never had a blister, or tingling numb feet. I didn’t have time to figure it out, and I was super excited when I checked my time. I knew if I kept my pace, I could beat my original race time of 54 Minutes. When I was about 2 blocks from the finish line, there was my brother in law, the only person downtown in a Sunday Suit, video recording my final push. I turned the corner and saw the finish line, and the clock said 50 Minutes! I did it; the feeling was so overwhelming yet exhilarating. Everyone should experience the natural high of crossing the finish line. I met my goals, I wasn’t last, and I beat my time! Miss Missouri, gave me my medal that I proudly wore around my neck. This time when they asked “How do you Feel?” My answer was “Great!!!”
Well done!
Very inspirational.
Congrats on setting a new personal record 🙂
I’ll run my first 5k on Thanksgiving this year, and will happily remember this blog when I’m looking for inspiration.
Again – great job!
~Michele~
Thanks Michele, good Luck on your 1st 5K! You guys inspire me with your kind words.
You are a super star! I am inspired!
Thanks Ramona!