I had an opportunity to take a drive down memory lane yesterday – and it brought back a flood of emotions.
…of Pride.
You see, I was back in the same area that the Green Strides half marathon was held earlier this fall and as soon as I drove down the street that made up the last 3 miles of that race, my heart skipped a beat.
I was right back in that moment.
…of pushing my body to go, go, GO.
…of feeling my legs just move, moving faster than I’ve ever felt them move.
…of seeing Scott’s beaming smile and watching him arm pump everytime he looked back at me.
…of whizzing by runners left and right, the wind hitting my face, my eyes blurry from the wind whipping into my eyes.
…of turning the final corner and seeing how close we were to finishing and thinking “this is it. just GO.”
…of crossing that finish line and seeing 2:05:32.
…and thinking “holy hell, I had no idea I had that in me.”
And now? Just revisiting that area, seeing that route again, re-living the final 3 miles of that 13.1 and I am feeling even more proud than I did on that day.
It was that day, that race, that gave me the confidence in my running ability that I never had in me before. That I didn’t think even existed.
Most of all, it gave me the confidence to commit to 26.2. The minute I crossed that finish line, I knew. I want to be a marathoner. Just once. I want that.
As we near the end of 2011, I can’t help but think about how this year has shaped up for me. It’s been one helluva good year, I can’t lie. And in thinking of a way to recap the year, I thought about doing a “memories” style post or a “resolutions/goals” post for 2012.
But really? I’d rather think back on this year and honor proud moments. So that’s what I intend to do in a mini-series I’m calling “proud moments of 2011.” (so original, I know)
…and for starters, I’m definitely calling the Green Strides half my proudest moment of 2011. Without a doubt.
**********
I’ll be back with more “proud moments” in the next couple of weeks leading into Christmas and the end of the year. But for now – I urge you: think back on your year and pinpoint your own moments of pride. And once you do, bottle them up, harness them into continued pride, strength and confidence as we start a brand-new year.
2012: I have a feeling you’re going to be a goodie…
EatDrinkBreatheSweat 
I just love celebrating victories…over and over and over again!!! You will rock the 26.2!!! Go for it!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes to repeatedly celebrate – I’m always up for a party, afterall, hehe 😉
Love this. Congrats again on your amazing 13.1. I love remembering such great races. Can’t wait to read more of your memories.
It feels good to look back on a recent race day victory – and I probably wouldn’t have been inspired to do so had I not revisited part of the race day route the other day. It was such a fun little drive, I must say (way faster than running it, haha)
I love remembering old races and moments. I revisit my race photos often enough so that I never forget the pain, hard work, and GLORY when I crossed the finish lines. I’m so glad I have lots of pictures. 🙂
Love this series, girl!
I’m so glad you’re digging this little series – I was hoping I didn’t sound silly repeating my “yay me” moments from 2011. 😉
This definitely made me smile b/c I do the same thing all the time when I come to certain spots of the LR half marathon route. I live on part of it and walk by the mile 9 marker pretty much every day. And every day I remember passing that sign and feeling so proud of myself. God, going to cry typing this! I can look out over the bridge that I crossed from the gym too. Just an amazing sense of accomplishment isn’t it?
LOVE that you walk past part of the LR half marathon route everyday, how awesome to constantly remember your victories on that race? You ought to be VERY proud of yourself my dear, you’ve rocked that race (and will do so again!!).
I love proud moments and this little series!! I would say that was definitely a moment of pride for you, I could see it all over your face and in every movement you made that day. And I was just as proud OF you 🙂 I would say one of my proudest moments was the b9 challenge, of course, by far, and also, this race, quasi-running it and LIKING it!
Aww thank you sis – it was by far the best moment of my year, running-wise for sure. I still can’t believe how I felt in those last three miles – it felt like it wasn’t even my body running, you know?
I’m also really glad that this was a day that you’re proud of too – I love that we can share that sense of pride, albeit for different reasons, on that day 🙂
I love the idea of remembering and embracing our proud moments of 2011 – it’s such a positive way to lead into the new year! You should feel so proud of yourself about that race, you worked so hard & it showed!!!
I felt similar in Philly…the last time I was in Philly I was starting my weight loss journey. I ran up the Rocky Steps on my first run ever in 2004…just a few weeks ago, I was back in Philly , 7 years later, 80lbs lighter and running a 1/2. Very sweet moments!
That was my goal – leave this year on a high note and head into 2012 feeling proud and confident and READY for anything thrown my way.
I love that Philly holds that special place in your heart — and um, how did I miss the fact that you’ve lost 80 LBS?? You are even more amazing in my eyes now than ever before!!
Yup…80 pounds. You probably didn’t pick up on it because I have never posted any “before” pics to my blog 🙂 I burned them all when I met my goal weight with Weight Watchers I lost it between 2004 and 2006. I gained 15 of it back when I met Eric, but lost the 15 again prior to my wedding. Now I’ve been maintaining for 2 years. The best thing I ever did for myself was go for a run on a whim while in Philly…I got hooked 🙂
I want to give you a HUGE high five. Dayum girl. you have every reason to be proud.
Ha, I love it, thanks friend!
Love this… SOOO can’t wait to see what you do for 26.2!!! xoxo
I kinda can’t wait either 😉
xo!
I love this post!!! It’s funny that when time passes by you almost forget the amazing things you’ve done…but once you can actually reflect back on them it feels so awesome! Like, I think I keep convincing myself that I didn’t actually run a marathon this year, but then I see the pictures or a reread my recap and I fill up with pride again!
I’m glad this year has been great to you, and I’m sure that 2012 is going to be even better! You are going to be a marathoner!!!
Girl, you *are* a marathoner, believe it!! I would look at that race day recap about a MILLION times if I were you. That was the best marathon recap I’ve ever read. I seriously cried. 🙂 )
What a great idea! Reflecting on the proud moments from the recent past will surely impact our outlook and empowerment for future actions. An awesome idea 🙂
I’m glad you agree – it sort of dawned on me as I was writing this post that we don’t do enough of celebrating our own personal victories. Who says we can only celebrate them once?
what a great friday down memory lane! one full of confidence and now even more determination for that 26.2
It was a nice little trip down memory lane, I’ll say that. 🙂
You deserve to be proud.
thanks friend!
Agree with everyone else! It’s perfectly fine to feel pride for your accomplishments!! Especially a marathon! You ROCK!
I hope I can count a marathon as one of my proudest moments in 2012!!
I love this motivational post! What a great accomplishment and a positive memory of 2011! I think 2012 will be a great year for you too!
Yay, thank you my friend! I’m really excited about 2012, I think it’s gonna be a damn good one. 🙂
I loved reading your race recap on that half! It gave me chills! Look at all that you have accomplished….you should be so very proud:-)
Can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for you friend….26.2!!!!
Aww thank you so much friend! I heart you!
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