Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Something worthy of a post. . . . finally!

Well, it's pretty obvious I haven't blogged in 3 months or so. I guess I didn't think I had much to blog about. But now, I do!!!
About 8 months ago, a good friend asked me to run a half marathon with her. For those of you who know me, I HATE HATE HATE running, with a passion far more than those who actually have a passion for running. That is, I used to. In March, I started to run. I was overweight and it was hard! A week or two into it, I decided that I was going to run a whole mile without stopping (I know, pathetic, right). It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But that mile changed my life, that and getting new shoes. I decided that I would start training for a half marathon, one that I never verbally committed to, for I am a non-committal kind of person (in unimportant matters). The half marathon came and went. I couldn't run it because I was on a trip to Idaho/Utah. I found another race to train for. 15 miles. To some, it seems impossible. I was one of those back in January. To others, 15 miles is just another long run on Saturday. But to me, it was a milestone that told me that I actually CAN commit and ACHIEVE! It was hard and time consuming, but I did it! I finished! And I actually want to keep running. The race was difficult, the uphills about killed me. Any race with a sign at the bottom of an endless hill that says "Capital Punishment Hill begins" should be seriously considered before running! But I ran my "half-marathon + 2 miles" (and I've lost 32 pounds in the process-extra bonus!!)
So for any of you out there thinking you can't do the unimaginable, unthinkable, impossible. . . . . . . . YOU CAN, because I did!

I can't go ANY further without thanking my personal cheering squad. Derrel has been extremely supportive of my crazy aspirations. He is my rock (well one of them=). And I couldn't have done it without Lydia and Kate, for showering me with flowers 11 miles into the race. And Grant learned how to clap at the race. I've been trying to get him to clap for MONTHS. Never would until the day I ran the race.


Here's Grant learning how to clap from seeing people clap for HOURS on end!
Notice Lydia was ready with her shower of flowers for me. What a great support group I have!! Love it!
OK, so my running form is kinda weird and I look a bit silly, but hey-I just ran 15 miles!

24 comments:

Phillip and Mary said...

That is truly amazing! And you look awesome!!!! You make me want to do that! I am so happy for you that you have such an awesome thing to chalk up as something you've done that was darn hard. You are an inspiration to all of us! WAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Jami Jackson said...

Kim!! I am SO proud of you! I can't even express how proud I am of you in words. I was just smiling ear to ear as I read that post. And I LOVE all the videos! Your girls are so cute and I loved Grant's clapping! Seriously Kim, that is an AMAZING achievement and I hope you never forget the feelings you had running it. I'm going to have to call you to get all the details, but just know I am amazingly proud of you. Oh, and you look SO skinny! Wow!

Knudson Family said...

WOW! WOW! WOW! 15 miles? You are insane, but awesome!!!! What an inspiration! You look great! I think I'm going to add a few more !!!!! just because!

Courtnie said...

What a great achievement. And self esteem booster. Maybe someday I will get up the gumption to do it too!

You deserve to be proud of your accomplishments. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow...you are an inspiration to me. Remind me again how you started this? I need to get off my hinny!!! I'm really proud of you. And you look great!

Love, Annie :)

Amy Tuck said...

You made it look so easy! What a woman! You have inspired me to get into shape and start running...okay...maybe I'll just walk til the baby comes. Love you SO MUCH! YOU ARE AWESOME!

olsens said...

Kim, you are so awesome! You did it! I thought of you on Saturday and was wondering how it went. Looks like it went pretty good! Congrats!

Julia Kelly said...

Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones...but this post put a few tears in my eyes! :) Seriously, that is so awesome! You're so lucky to have such a great cheering section! Your kids are too cute. Half maraton next June??

Oh, and Valley World's of Fun is in Fairmont. My kids LOVE it.

McArthur Family said...

Kim, I know I could say this a million times, but you are my hero! I admire your ability to set a goal and achieve above and beyond what you thought was possible. You radiate love and light and I think you are a wonderful daughter of God, wife, mother, YW leader, and runner. You give hope and inspiration to us all.

Love bunches- amber

The Pingels said...

Kim, that is so awesome!! I got into running too last year, and I have grown to love it. Now you've inspired me to jump from a 5k to a 10k, and maybe, someday, I'll be right along with you running crazy marathons and such. And can I just say, that you look awesome!!! Way to go!!

Elizabeth said...

I am so impressed and so proud of you! What a great accomplishment and you look so great! Nice work, seriously!!!

Sister Tara Bowen said...

You are awesome! I need to go do that too! I just love that you made yourself do it!

Karrie said...

Way to go Kim!! You had me in tears. I'm so proud of you and glad to hear it has been a good experience:)

Jen said...

Wow you are my new inspiration! You look HOT too! Ok, I think you've convinced me that I need to try training for at least a 5k and then we'll see if I could make it more. Any chance you would want to drive up to Akron every day:) and train me? Some time we'll have to come down and see you guys. Let us know when would be a good time. Great job!

Abby said...

I am so SO happy and proud and impressed! Congrats--that is huge.

Melanie said...

Way to go! I think even if I started running I would never enjoy it. You are amazing. Your dedication is admirable. And how cute that Grant learned how to clap so he could cheer you on too. So sweet.

kira said...

ah. You rock. 32 freakin LBS!! Whoo hoo! You gotta be feelin' super hot! :) Miss you guys.

The Ulibarri's said...

That is so awesome that you did that! I admire you and think that you are one awesome example. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Kirsten and Steve said...

Kim!! I can't even tell you how it felt to read that post and see your videos. I totally just cried!!! I am so so proud of you! Keep it up!

Love you!

Natalie said...

After reading that, I remember the days you would run all the way from your house to my house. Haha! I thought you were so crazy! But, if I would have known you were gonna run 15 miles, I would totally believe it! You are SO AMAZING!!! Good job! Maybe you'll be my inspiration for a half marathon after my 5k this November. :)

Anonymous said...

Holy Cow! Kim you are awesome! That is such a great accomplishment. You're my hero and reading your post gave me that boost of motivation that I have desperately been needing, so thanks and good luck on your future runs.


Ps. you look fantastic!

literaqueen said...

Hey, nice water belt . . .

You rock!! I'm so glad you did this (the run-- although the post was nice, too).

Natalie N said...

GREAT POST, Kim!! Loved this update and all the pictures. You look AMAZING, and I'm SO proud of you!! Thank you for posting your success story. It truly is inspiring!! :)
xoxoxo

Stephanie said...

Woohoo!! Congrats! That's quite the accomplishment :) And what a cute family, too.