Marathon- copied from Phatty

"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible."

I will echo this saying about a 1/2 marathon.
Indeed my friends.. anything is possible!
I DID IT!!!

I'm going to let go of that nagging voice in my head today that says I could have done better. I could have ran more. I could have finished faster. It's time to quiet that voice.

Instead I will now tell myself.... I did my best! I ran as much as I could run! I finished faster than I have ever done before! And why?!?! Because before, I would have NEVER had done this! I achieved a goal. And I crossed that finish line leaving behind the old me that had never attemped a 1/2 marathon before.

The morning started at 4am to Rielly throwing up all over her and our bathrooms. Good Morning!!! My dear dear Jon took care of that while I went and got myself ready for one of the biggest mornings of my life. She was okay thank goodness!

I got to Kristys at around 5:15 and we left for downtown around 5:30.
So much excitement in the air for sure!!!!!

People everywhere abt to do what I was abt to do. Many have done this a million times and many doing it for their first time. We were all there to accomplish the same task!





(sooo clueless!!!)

Jodie Messina kicked off the party with singing the National Athem (LOVE HER) and away we go!!! We started off with a good jog along with the 5000+ other ladies. I was excited and nervous and just ready to get it done!

Kristy and I both had written on our arms 13 things we wanted to talk about each mile and it was the best way to keep our minds positive and moving! Thats what I needed.... to just keep my mind going.




What really helped me get through this was the support of my family and Kristys family. At around mile 3, I saw my family and Rob Barkley on the side of the park cheering for me with signs and smiles. What a beautiful sight to see!!

Only 10more miles to go!


They were also there around mile 6, 9 and 11! Even Kristys folks Glenn and Terry were there at mile 11!!

How amazingly blessed am I to have them there pretty much the whole way to cheer me on???!!!

Mile 6

Mile 9

(around mile 11)







I started hurting around mile 7-8. My feet felt like I was walking on burning hot Az pavement. I actually tried to walk without shoes on... but yeah that didn't help.

That's when I think I started slowing down and wondering if I could finish this. I really should have taped my feet. But having already done a 13miler before, I knew I could do this.

There was plenty of water and gaterade to be had and so much motivation and cheering from the sidelines.

I had to keep going!

The last mile I had to let my mind and will take control because my body was screaming at me to stop! My feet were on fire! It was hard watching people pass me up and all the while I worried that Kristy was going nuts having to go so slow.

Irrational thinking does tend to set in.

Kristy wouldn't have been there if she didn't want to do this with me!

So I just had to visualize the end.

This was also the point where I swore anyone who does this for "fun" is CRAZY!!! And I kept thinking.. why in the world would I even want to do this again?!?! I won't lie to you- it was hard! And it hurt!!!!

But it was all worth it for what happens next.

That last .1mile was so overwhelming! I had my family right and Kristys family (which have become my family) before the finish line and Susie Hawkins and her kids right after. I had the goal in sight. I was doing it!!!! I remember my chest tightening up and I had to control myself to not just bust out in tears!!!!

And when we ran through the finish line, the MC said "Here comes Kristy and Shannon in their sparkly skirts"!!


Then Kristy hugged me and I realized I have just ran my first 1/2 marathon!!!! Who cares if I had to walk a lot. Who cares that it took 3.5hrs to finish. At that moment, I was a winner!!!!!

I bought this shirt the day before and it is exactly why I started this whole journey!!!



I love this face!

And once again, I wanted to thank my best friend Kristy Barkley! She stayed with me every step of the way through this whole process. And if she didn't give me this challenge, we would have never become the friends we are today. Spending so much time together, we have become rather close. She has taught me and inspired more than she could ever know. I love her family too (even you Brobar!). I am truely blessed!

And I have to thank my husband Jon- he has believed in me more than I believe in myself. Just to know that he is proud of me makes all the pain and tears and frustration in life worth it! I love you baby!

Have you been following???

So... since most of you know I'm doing a marathon this weekend, did you also know I have a blog about it?
check it out!

http://www.runphattyrun.blogspot.com

I haven't been very good at updating but it's been fun to see my progress through the whole thing.

Sat Sept 11th

Our day of remembrance is definately one to remember. Just not in the way I have for the last yrs.
Sept 11th this year I accomplished another feat. I "practised" a 1/2 marathon. Meaning I went 13.1miles that day starting at 5am! It was tough- I'm not going to lie. Kristy had been doing a fitness bootcamp that week and was super sore and I just hate early mornings and it was soo muggy.... which made it for a miserable morning. But with a lot of moaning and whining, we finished! That last mile was truely brutal!!! And my hands looked like Feona from Shrek!

To reward ourselves (okay it was already planned but a reward non the less), we spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening on Kristys dads boat. We started at the regular boat dock and cruised into downtown where they parked for the night to watch the Titans game the next day. Such a perfect day! One gal got quite a bit WASTED and that was annoying and entertaining and we all had a great time! Kids got to swim for a few minutes as soon as we docked before the rain came tumbling down.
Here's a few pics from the day...

Rielly, Rob (Kristys hubby), Reese, me and one of their friends kids
Awwwww!!!!!!!
And our captain for the day...

Reese decided to take Terrys (Kristys mom) camera

And Terry takes some great pics! Rielly loves her!

My gooberette

And Goober

Kids were just bribed with $1.00 to smile. Apparently Jon missed the memo

Kristy and I hanging on the boat

On the way back to our parking garage, we walked a bit downtown and played the tourist role!

The beautiful view cruising into downtown Nashville!

Not just another pair of shoes....

I just want to write a post about my son, Reese.

I tell him everyday how much I love him. I make sure he gets so many hugs and kisses. And still I don't think it's nearly enough.

He is a handful at times I will admit. He makes me want to scream and pull my hair out at times too.

But he has taught me things that I should be teaching to him.

He has a good heart. And it's a loving heart. And it's a giving heart.

I just wanted to share an experience we had this weekend that taught me so much in one small act of service.

Jon and I ran the 5k at the South Nash Dash. At this event, there were 30+ vendors and one of those vendors was a wonderful company called Soles4Souls. They collect donated shoes and distribute them to those in need all over the world. I learned and was touched by this company by promoting it through Social Media for the South Nash Dash. So Jon, Reese and I were walking around these vendor tables and stopped at the S4S table where Derek, the guy collecting the shoes, started explaining to Reese why they would want to collect peoples used shoes. He told Reese that as an example, his shoes could be given to another little boy who didn't have any. Without even a 2nd thought, my son removed his shoes and put them in the box. Jon and I along with Derek were stunned and Reese just looked like it was no big deal that now he would have to walk around the rest of the event with just socks on. Derek looked at us to make sure it was okay and I know for myself, it was beyond okay. Who am I to deny him this act of charity and service and complete selflessness. He didn't care that he just gave away his only pair of tennis shoes. All he knew was that another little boy was now going to be able to run and play in these shoes.

Later that day after Jon took Reese to pick out a new pair, we were talking a little about it and I was telling him how proud I was and what a blessing he is to another kid in this world. And Reese said "maybe someone was praying for the shoes." Yes- maybe they were.

I am just so glad that he was able to experience this. And that it was his decision. Because he was able exercize his free will to do good and what more could I ever want?

I sure love this special boy of mine!!

EFY- 1996

6-30-96

Guess what? I'm at BYU for EFY! Today was the most exciting day. I went on a plane ride for the first time and EFY starts tomorrow. I met the coolest girl. She's a counselor but I can't remember her name right now so I'll have to tell you later. I just got here and I'm practically broke! It's crazy. Beccas a coolio roomate. More tomorrow

7-1-96

This place is awesome. The bookstore at EFY is like a regular Wal-Mart. It's huge! Our company is rad. Oh my counselors name is K**** C****. She's the best. Oyr companys name is Green Jello. I wrote our theme song. hehehe. I went to 2 work shops. One on talents and one on finding good in people. The spirit is so strong here. The dance was fun. I danced with J** and E***- both roomates from Minnasota. They're in my company. I don't remember who else. Our devotion was so spiritual. I feel as though this place just may change my life for good!

7-2-96

This place rocks. WE had the best service project. It was helping PALS- handicapped people and children. It was beautiful. I just can't describe the feelings that I feel here at EFY. It's remarkable. I've learned so much just about everything. The people are awesome. We made up the corniest skit for Green Jello-cute though. I love this place. We had a concert tonight. The guy was totally awesome. Also a great singer!

7-3-96

Today had to have been the best day of my life. I don't know how to begin. It wasn't the best because of any events of guys or even dances. It is all the feelings I feel right now. I've never felt the spirit so much in my life and I pray this place will stay with me forever! I prayed tonight- but not just any prayer. It was so sincere and honest and true. I know that Im never alone and that I truely am a daughter of God and he loves me very very much. I could never doubt thst or that this church is true. How can it not be when I would give everything I have-even my life for it, the gospel, even Jesus Christ as he did for me. I love this place so very much. I've never been with so many young men and women who feel like I do and kmnow and beieve what I do. This is where I need to be and it was all planned out for my group and I so many years ago- before we came to earth. I feel as though we were all the best of friends before in the pre-existance. I don't want this to end or these precious peaceful feelings to leave my heart and soul. I made a goal now to become so much of a better person and friend and daughter and sister. I want to make my life pleasing unto thee and worthy to achieve all my hopes and dreams that I long for.

7-4-96

Today went by real fast. I met tons of guys. A couple good looking football players, 2 FINE J*****. It was funny with them because we were in the dinner line and they were singing "Lean on me" and so I did and they both hugged me. Then as all sand it. It was way cool. I think J**** B**** is the nicest best looking guy ever! Tonight for the 4th we went to Stadium of Fire. It was so awesome! Donny Osmond sang and the fire works were spectacular! Our guy counselor K**** M***** is the absolute BEST! He's a looker too and so nice and funny. I'm sad that tomorrow is the last day :(

7-5-96

Tonight was the last night! It was so much fun. I met a famous actor. He's duck face on Full House! He was on Jurassic Park and stuff. I got a picture w/him and I danced with him. Am I famous now? hahaha. I LOVE J**** B***!! He gave me the biggest hug. The dance was fun and I met a lot of people. I'm gonna miss this place so much! Michael Christiansen is THE BEST speaker I've ever heard! He was roommates with John Bytheway. Awesome!! It's like 2:30am now so I'm kinda tired.

Posts from the past...

I found 3 of my old journals from when I was super young. So I thought it'd be fun to repost some of the entries from them since I'm already SOOOO behind on blogging about the here and now (I'll do it.. no worries). I may have to hide some names because I was quite the crusher and it makes me laugh but I still know a lot of these people! Enjoy- or not because I was quite troubled at times. Like this entry.... now sure what was going on but I was quite depressed it seems.

5-5-96
I had this feeling that I really needed to write in my journal. I'm not feeling very good right now. I feel so weak. I don't know what's happening to me but whatever it is, I hope it goes away soon. I need to say how much I love my family. I didn't lead the greatest life and maybe I wasn't the best example but I tried. I have so much to live for yet no future. My vision of life to come is blurred and all I want is to be happy and free of lifes pain and burdens. I'm scares. I can't see tomorrow. I love all my friends. They're a strength to me. I wish I had it right now. I hope that I'm never forgotten and I've made an impact on someone. Please- remember me forever. I'm scared to be alone and that's how I feel right now. Righting this is taking away so much strength and my heart is breaking. I hope Jesus stays with me always and helps me through my trials that face me now and to come. Thank you everyone who was my friends. I love everyone. I need to get some sleep.

6-11-96
It sure has been awhile since I last wrote. Well, since the last time I thought was going to die. Obviously I didn't. Right now I'm in my dorm room at Girls State. (Girls State was a week long camp learning about government- I think it was between my Jr and Sr year). Yesterday was so freakin boring. I totally wanted to go home. All we're doing is learning about government and it's really not my thing. Today I was elected city magistrate and the city shrink. It's great. I'm gonna run for superior court judge. My roommate is pretty cool. We don't talk much but oh well. The food here sucks! I'm homesick- that's crazy! I've met the coolest people here. My neighbor is Amanda **** and she's so awesome- I love her! D***** N***** told me that he wants to marry me again. He's NUTS!


Stay tuned for more!