Thirteen Point Freaking One!!

So for the past 3 months (July 28th to be exact) I embarked on a journey that I thought, in my head, was crazy and impossible. I started "running" merely out of peer pressure and the secret want to be a runner.

So two friends of mine (Leia and Casey) convinced me to go to this Jeff Galloway (olympian marathoner and runner guru....look him up...hes pretty genius) and Soldier Marathon information meeting. Long story short that meeting inspired us and made it all sound do able so they signed up that night. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I had to think about it. 13.1 was crazy to me. I could hardly get through a mile now....the 2 5ks I had done I thought I was going to die! But something clicked and I decided to sign up.

When I did the girl asked me if I could run 3 miles...I kinda laughed in her face cause the true answer was no....But I could run/walk 3 miles....I took me a while....but I could do it.
So on July 28 my two friends and I met the group down on the river walk to run our 3 miles. It was hard....but I wasn't exhausted like I had been before! Ok...I CAN do this. Another long story short Casey couldn't make it because they wouldn't let her bring her stroller and Leia got hurt....So both of the stinkers that got me into this dropped out!! I still love them though! But I was so bummed.
I was forced to meet new people and depend on them for encouragement and conversation during the runs. They were a GREAT group of women though! Very encouraging and knowledgable and a "were going to finish this together" attitude! Love them!

So as the weeks progressed the miles increased. I hit a serious "wall" right before we increased to 10 miles
-I dont want to do this anymore
-this is crazy.....everyone thinks im crazy
-ugghh i hate this
-how did I get into this again
- but its too hot to run
- I'm not as good as everyone else and always come in last
-I suck at this
-This sucks
But then I did it!!! And it sucked!!! But I did it!!! I was further inspired....plus the weather got colder....that helped. But I knew if I could finish 10....I could get to 12....and if I could get to 12.....whats one more mile!! I was going to do this!!

So race week comes. My friends and family were planing to come....so I had no choice at this point. Luckly I had to work Wednesday and Thursday so that occupied my mind a little.
Friday I went and picked up my bib and packet. Eric had a wedding so I went and picked up some pasta at Olive Garden (probably not the best choice but its what I wanted) and went home and watched some tv, got my stuff out  and called it a night.
I slept well that night which was a blessing. I woke up at 5 (almost threw up in my mouth. Way too early!) ate some toast and half a banana. Got dressed and was pulling Eric out the door.

Got to the infantry museum and found a parking spot around 6:45. Found my running group and made our way to the start line.  We left and turned on to Ft. Benning. This was my favorite part. There was one or 2 soldiers every so often, drill sargeants lined up the hills with their drill sergeant like voices to get you up the hill. Some where around 6 miles I started to feel bad... cramping and out of breath. I stopped a sec to take off my shirt and re strap my phone. This is where I went wrong. I lost my group and started freaking about about catching up and the fear of having to do the rest of this alone! Handed my clothes off to Eric and kept going. Had to calm my self down, but keep going at the same time. When I nervous I start talking to myself.
-Oh crap.....They are way ahead of me....oh crap
- Where's the next water station
- I can't feel my hands....
-I hate this
- Wheres the beep so I can walk
-Why am I doing this again???
-Wheres the next mile marker??
-Oh there it is....did it say 8....crap!
-I want a coke
-I hate this
-I can't feel my hands
- Wheres the beep??
-This minute is lasting an hour
-Just how do you set fire to the rain??
-OMG I just dropped my cup of water ( I had to ask this poor guy to poor water into my mouth because my hands were SO frozen I couldn't hold my water....I know...how embarrassing!)
-did I really just ask that guy to pour water in my mouth????....poor guy....
-Did that just say 9......CRAP!!!
- I want a coke
-I can't feel my hands
-Where's the beep??
-Where do we turn around
-I bet Casey is already done....(she was :)
-I hate this....I HATE running
-I'm so hungry
- PTL there is the turn around!!
- I am NEVER doing this again
-Where's the water??
-I dont think Taylor Swift EVER wants to get back together....like EVER
-Did that just say 12....OMG that just said 12....
-Hey...I can feel my hands....GREAT
-Forget the beep....Im running the last mile
-Forget that....I'm walking
-I CANNOT let these two old guys beat me!!

My sweet friends were waiting for me...I felt like a loser when I realized they had been waiting there for an hour!!! Casey finished in 2 hrs!! Go Casey!! Shes amazing! But I finished!! And 2 seconds under my goal!! It was awesome! I was crying because I was in so much pain and I couldn't believe I had just finished something I never though I would ever do. But then I was delirious....I was SOOO hungry and in so much pain I din't know if I was happy or mad. I didn't like any of the food they had but I DID manage to find a COKE!!
In the end I was so glad I did it. Everyone ask me if I will do another one (probably because I complained so much!) and the answer is yes. I dont know exactly when, depends on what the next year brings... but eventually I will.
If anyone is a new runner or never really have done much more then a 5k I highly recommend the Columbus Galloway program. Its a run walk program and it worked beautifully for me! It made the whole thing do able and manageable. I would have been able to do it otherwise.
I have found a new love in running. It's definitely a challenge...maybe thats why I love it so much! But right now I really need a massage!!!
Cant forget to mention that a part of this run was running in honor of a fallen soldier. I ran in honor of Jordan Schumann who is best friends with a childhood friend of mine who was KIA in 2011. He left behind a wife and a unborn son at the time. I prayed for them multiple times through out the run....knowing that I am lucky enough to be able to run. It was an honor to run for someone who served our country in the most honorable way.
As for a marathon.....ummm....no.... not right now!

My name is Dara Alizabeth Crouch....and I am a scared little girl

It is officially 1 week away from my first half marathon. I know I have prepared myself for this with the training program I went through, but for some reason I still feel very unprepared. I know I can do it though. I did a 12 mile run and even though I was hurting around mile 11 and could hardly walk when I was done because of my knee I was able to finish running....so even if I have to walk the last mile...I will be ok with that! I haven't had any problems since with my knee so hopefully it was a one time thing. I am also hoping that the adrenaline and atmosphere  will get me through those last few miles. I know from this point on its just a mental game. I am no stranger to mental games.....I have been through nursing school....it took me 3 hours to take my boards to get my license. I had to answer all 265 questions....that was a mental challenge. I know that I can physically do it...I have already done 12...at this point 1 more mile is just another mile. I know.....you dont have to tell me....I know I have lost my mind.
Part of the solider Marathon is choosing someone to run in honor of to put on your bib. I did want to choose someone off a list that I dont know or have any connection too. I have a friend I grew up with in Ft. Riley, before we moved back here permanently. Our fathers were both in the Army. He is now serving as a MP in the army stationed in Germany. He was serving with is best friend in 2011 when he was killed in action. His name was SPC Jordan Shuchmann. He also left behind a wife and a now 1 year old son. He died before his son was born. He never got to meet his son. So that is who I am putting on my bib.

This week at work has been rough. All I can say is I am happy to know a god that is merciful, and shows us grace even is the worst of situations. I happy that pray puts me at peace. My doctors dont know it (I think I have told one) but I pray the instant they come in the room for a delivery/epidural. I pray over my patients when my baby is looking bad....I pray a lot. Mostly because once I have done everything I can from the outside thats all I CAN do at that point. So happy I can depend on that is a sticky situation.

I have my 3 month check up with the hematologist this week. Praying everything is pretty much the same....but hopefully a little better.

I am currently, as I type, drinking my last coke for this week. After today its 2 liters of water a day. Only good food....no fast food. I can't have anything holding me down. I got one more run before next week. EEKK!!

Congratulations to my friends Camille and Stobhan who finish their first Half Marathon in Savannah today. They both finish in just under 2:15.....which is fantastic! I know I am going to be at least 45 slower then that....but to be honest I don't really care about the time! I just want to finish alive!!
Hope everyone has a good week! Don't forget, change your clocks tonight an your president on Tuesday!! Hope this doesn't offend anyone...just my stance! But honestly, whoever you vote for, just get out and vote! It's part of our American duty and like my mother says "If you don't vote you can't complain!"