Tiare: Living in a Song: "Heart Of A Champion"

I did it!!!! I finished a marathon! Something that wasn't ever a goal of mine until about six month ago and while I was running it, I was wondering why it ever became a goal of mine!

The night before, we went to pick up our packets and I started to feel excited but a lot more nervous. (which during this time, I was offered a job with doTERRA!) We then went to Spaghetti Factory where my dad and I could carb load and do our last preparations for the marathon! And then off to bed for my papa and I. Sadly, I didn't sleep that well at all! I think those nerves were going crazy.

3:00am sure came way too soon. Because of the incident on the cruise, Rachelle sadly was not able to run the marathon with us. So, my cousin decided last minute that it would be fun to run with us. Yeah, I don't think I could ever do that! But she showed up at 3:25 full of energy and excited to go. My dad and I... not so much excitement and energy! We were on the bus and heading up to the starting point by 4:00am. The drive felt like it would never end, 26.2 miles is a lot of miles!

After an hour of waiting, the gun sounded and we were off! The first three miles were amazing, it felt like the time just flew by. It was beautiful in the country side of Wallsburg! I loved it! The first seven miles were just amazing with the view and I felt like I could run the entire marathon in four hours! I felt like a rock star!

Then the hills came and then the wind; all thoughts of being a rock star ran from my head! (no pun intended... okay, it totally was!) But really, the wind was horrible! I started to struggle with my breathing at about mile 14 and all I could think about was how I still had 12 miles left to go. At this point, I really didn't think I could make it. But I kept pushing forward, slow but at least it was forward!

Mile 21 was when my little cheering squad appeared and I couldn't have needed them more than I did at that point! My amazing sister saw the pain and struggles I was experiencing and offered to walk with me. I am so grateful for her. In flip flops she walked/ran the last five miles with me. I really needed that support and because of her I was able to keep going. And we actually became friends with a couple people who were walking and running the end as well. One of them was an Iron man, so I felt pretty good about myself that I was at the same speed as someone who has done an Ironman!

Once I reached mile 25, I heard my name being shouted and I looked up to see my wonderful roommate Stacey cheering for me. She joined Rachelle and I as I fought to make it the last mile. Finally I got to the point where I felt like I needed to run and finish strong. So, I ran and ran. Having all those people there cheering in the last stretch gave me that extra boost to run hard and fast through the finish line! I had completed it, yes it was slow but I can now say I am a marathon finisher! And I couldn't be prouder of what I did!

Thank you Rachelle for helping me get through those last five miles. I really needed that right then and I am so grateful for you sacrificing your feet for me! Best sister ever!!! Also, when you do the marathon, I know that you will be amazing at it! And I will come cheer for ya (unless you somehow convince me to run it with you) and I will help you through the hard parts!

Thank you to my mother, Thomas and Stacey for all cheering for me! It really helped me to keep going when it got hard knowing I had someone waiting for me up ahead!

Thank you to Heidi for starting off the marathon with us! It gave me the excitement and energy I needed!

And to Dad, I am so proud of us! We did something that was extremely hard and we fought till the end! I think what we did is amazing! Dad, you are a rock star!!!

Here is the proof that I did it: