However, it's not the number that is making it special, but what I will be doing and who will be with me.
I will turn 31 in exactly one week, on Sunday, December 8, 2013. On that same day, I will be running my second marathon, the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon.
Some of you may be thinking "why on Earth would you want to run, not only a marathon, but a second marathon, in celebration of your birthday?!"
Well, you see, like I mentioned, a few months ago I discovered something. I've run quite a few road races in my life. My first one goes back to my senior year in high school and it includes many races over the next 12+ years. As I thought about it, I thought about the people who I've seen out at these same races with shirts saying it was there birthday or anniversary. Something and some day that was special to them. Then I thought about my own birthday.
Last year, the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon and Half Marathon was held the day after my birthday, so we celebrated it early so I could run the half marathon on the 9th. But when I found out this year's race would be on my actual birthday I thought, wouldn't it be funny/cool if I ran my 31st race on my 31st birthday? I didn't think that would be possible, but it was an awesome idea if nothing else.
And then I thought about it more. Like, really thought about it, and discovered...it might be possible after all. So I sat down a made a list of all of my road races dating back to my first race in 2000. After multiple drafts, this is what I came up with...
- Dallas YMCA 33rd Turkey Trot – November 23, 2000
- Max’s O’Hartford 5K – March 14, 2010
- Max’s O’Hartford 5K – March 18, 2012
- Ten Penny Ale Shamrock 5K - May 20, 2012
- Amica Ironhorse Half Marathon – June 3, 2012
- Color Me Rad 5K – September 8, 2012
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Miler – September 29, 2012
- ING Hartford Marathon – October 13, 2012
- Double Trouble 5K & 10K – October 27, 2012
- Foam Fest – November 3, 2012
- Mighty Mud Dash – November 10, 2012
- Walking Dead 5K – November 17, 2012
- Dallas YMCA 45th Turkey Trot – November 22, 2012
- Metro PCS Dallas Half Marathon – December 9, 2012
- Electric Run – January 19, 2013
- Texas Half Marathon – February 3, 2013
- Hot Chocolate 5K – February 9, 2013
- Race 2 Rescue - March 2, 2013
- Dallas Rock n Roll Half – March 24, 2013
- Hero Rush 5K – April 6, 2013
- Big D Texas Half Marathon – April 14, 2013
- Vampire 5K – April 26, 2013
- Cinco de Miler – May 5, 2013
- Drenched 5K – May 25, 2013
- Run or Dye 5K – June 22, 2013
- Hottest Half Marathon – August 25, 2013
- Mud Factor – September 7, 2013
- Patriot Games – September 21, 2013
- Tyler Rose Half Marathon – October 13, 2013
- Ugly Sweater 5K – November 30, 2013
- Metro PCS Dallas Marathon – December 8, 2013
The marathon that I would be running on my 31st birthday was indeed going to be my 31st race! It was POSSIBLE!
When I found that out, I was excited. It was such a cool idea. When I determined that this was actually going to happen, I tried to think of ways to get friends involved to help me celebrate.
Sure, I could have them all cheer me on throughout the race, holding up signs and being at the finish line (which has maybe happened 3 times in all of my races...and honestly, those were the most special). But, I've run a marathon before and I know how hard it was for me. It's just as much a mental race as it is a physical one. When you are out on the road, even though you are surrounded by people, you feel very alone and it weighs you down. I know where I needed the support. I know where I needed the extra nutrients. And I knew how to get it this time...
One of the features of this marathon is a 5-person relay team. I knew I would never get someone to run with me for the full marathon, but I thought that maybe I could get 5 friends to run the relay along side me, as a sort of birthday present to me, if you will.
Each person would take a leg of the race, running anywhere from 4.4 miles to 6.5 miles, and run beside me, keep me motivated and give me things to keep me going. And I was lucky enough to find those people!
Leg 1 - Mel - 5.7 Miles
Leg 2 - Megan - 5.0 Miles
Leg 3 - Kelcee - 4.6 Miles
Leg 4 - Leia - 4.4 Miles
Leg 5 - Patricia - 6.5 Miles
I also have Linda running her first half marathon, so she'll be with me for the first 7.5 miles before she turns back to finish her race and I keep going to finish mine. Ashley and my goddaughter, Jordan, along with Shannon, Stephanie and Blair and hopefully many others, will be out cheering for us throughout the course. My parents are even coming out and they have never been to one of my road races. I don't know how much they will see (as I anticipate a finish between 5 and 5.5 hours) but the fact that they are coming out to support me and celebrate my birthday means a lot.
I'm actually extremely excited about this race, compared to the daunting feeling I had during my first marathon. I know that I can and will improve upon my marathon time. I can only get better. And even if I still struggle through this race, I have my girls to keep me going. What I've learned through coaching them this year, is that when I focus on them, not only do they do well...but so do I. I wouldn't trade any of my time with them for the world.
So think of me on the 8th. Think of us. Think of the teamwork that will take place and the accomplishment of us combined.
Stay tuned as I will put up Part 2 to this post after the race and let you know how we did!! :-)
