Richmond Half Marathon

Steve and I ran the Richmond half marathon on Saturday.  The races of the day turned into a mini Z family reunion.  John, Dorothy, and Sarah flew in from Utah, and the Earnests drove from North Carolina.  Christine ran the 8k.  Rachel, Ken, Steve, and I ran the half marathon.  Annee ran the full.

This was my third half marathon, and I wasn't really nervous or anything.  Steve started in the wave before mine so I kissed him goodbye before we even started.  I ran slowly and steadily the whole time, drinking a couple of sips of water or Powerade at each water station, and squeezing mint chocolate GU into my mouth every four miles or so. 

Somewhere after 12 miles, I saw Steve.  I smiled and exclaimed "I love you!" at the sight of him.  He told me that the kids were on the other side with Grandma Z.  I started running faster, and when I saw the finish line, I sprinted toward it with a smile.  It made me think that if I had enough energy to sprint near the end of 13.1 miles, I could have pushed myself harder during the race or that I could have run much farther at my slower pace.  I didn't see my kids until after I finished.  I was so happy to see everyone.

We stood around and talked for a while, and then we walked back to our hotel room to change into dry shirts.  Then we walked back down to the course to see if we could find Annee.  We totally missed her big finish!  She ran her marathon in under four hours!  We were all so proud of her.

I kept thinking about how drastically different this half marathon was from my first.  During the training for my first one, I cried nearly every time Steve and I went out for a run together.  I hated breathing so hard and moving my legs so quickly.  I had very little confidence that I could actually run the entire thirteen miles.  During the race, Steve ran by my side every step of the way, reminding me that I could do this.  He had run this distance before, and to him, it was not a big deal. But he understood how hard it was for me, and never made me feel small for it.  I finished and ran the whole distance, probably only because I trusted in and relied on my stronger, better half. 

I ran alone for my second and third half marathons, not wishing to slow Steve down, who is obviously much faster than me. But still, I felt completely indebted to Steve after each finish.  For going into work later in the morning so I wouldn't have to run in the dark.  For getting up super early on Saturdays so he could do his long run without sacrificing much family time.  For believing that I could run 13.1 miles in the first place.  I'm quite certain that I can do anything with Steve.  He has never stifled my growth or discouraged my dreams, but, like I've said before, has given me wings to fly.  He has not only offered me his wings, but helped me discover and develop my own, and I love them.   Thanks again, for my wings, love.