JACKSONVILLE MARATON-WHAT I LEARNED!

Well the Jacksonville marathon is finally over. I struggled through 18 weeks of an intense running program. I had many great weeks and some bad weeks. I was never sure how I'd do considering all my training was in the hills of North Carolina and my marathon was flat all the way. Many times I wanted to give up, throw in the towel. But as predicted by all my friends the hill training paid off big. I shaved 27 minutes off my best marathon time. I came in at 4:17:30, and the best part is I was that I held a consistent pace for all 26.2 miles, and achieved a negative split. (I ran the last half of the marathon faster than the first half, which is pretty difficult to do). 
This marathon and the 18 weeks and even prior to that has given taught me many things:

1. Just like life; You get out of a marathon what you put in.  

2. Your support system is paramount. If you don't have the support of your family, especially your spouse it's almost impossible to excel in the marathon. So I thank my husband from the bottom of my heart for being the best cheerleader ever.

3. The people you train with make all the difference in the world. Train with unmotivated, half serious people, you become like them. Train with people like my "Murphy Maniacs" you become like them. I can not thank my running friends in Murphy enough. I can't express their zest for running, their dedication, their consistency, their drive. I wish I could find the words to describe them.  They have made me SO MUCH more of a better runner and better person. Thank you, Pat, Jennifer, Tania, Tracy, David, Paul, and Daisy. You guys will help me get to Boston.

4. It's true that a marathon is 80% mental and 20% physical. Running Jacksonville was difficult mentally because I am so used to crowd support, this was like a really long run with basically no one around. So being mentally strong was a big factor in my PR.

5. And finally I learned that any thing is possible. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. But of course you have to put the work in to it. Nothing good comes easy. I never thought I'd even get close enough to be thinking about qualifying for Boston.

So in closing; again I thank my husband for always supporting me, putting up with the training and being the best cheerleader during my marathons. I thank Marsha (mom) and Norman (Papa) for teaching me that I can do any thing I put my mind to. I thank my running buddies in Murphy, Christine, my Coach; the Rock Star Joe, who never lets up or gives up on me.  
Special thanks to Amanda & Pat for all their pep talks.When I wanted to drop out and give up on this marathon. You ladies are a Class act! And my brother, Eric and Sister in law Teresa, you guys are always there for me. Also, thanks to my many friends that are always there to motivate me and never let me down.

I am so very thankful for my health and my friends and family. It's a great time for all of us to reflect on the past but more importantly to look to the future.
I realize that just one kind word, one email, one phone call can really change a person. So I challenge you to set your own goals high for the coming year, and motivate that friend, co-worker or family member to achieve their goals as well. You can make a big difference in someones life.
    
“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.” Tennessee Williams