It’s marathon week for Team Sutera. And it’s been a very emotional one for this half of Team Sutera in particular.
Every single time I allow my mind to wander to marathon day, my eyes instantly well up with tears.
…partly because the sheer thought of what we’re about to do is equal parts awe-inspiring and equal parts fear-instilling (don’t worry, it’s the good kind of fear – the motivating kind)
…also because I think about crossing that finish line, hand-in-hand with Scott, and seeing my sister, her fiancé (!) M, and my mom and her boyfriend all smiling and cheering for us at the finish line (see? Even typing these words has me tearing up…).
…but mainly because I am quite simply stunned by the love and support we’ve both been surrounded with since we started training. From friends, from family, from #runsherpas, from co-workers, from barre n9ne clients and fellow instructors, even relative strangers on twitter. All rooting for us. All pulling for us. All lifting us up with their words of encouragement and utter trust that we’ve got this.
So, as Scott and I head to Chicago today, I’m doing just one thing in preparation for Sunday: I’m showing gratitude. To everyone and anyone who will listen to me.
This is how I plan to spend the 26.2 miles we’ll run on Sunday – by lifting Scott and I up with words of gratitude. Every time we hit a mile marker, I’ll be dedicating that mile to someone or something that I’m grateful for. I may shout it out, I may whisper it quietly to Scott, or I may keep it tucked away in my mind.
But for every single mile we run, I’ll be grateful.
…and I’ll do my best to show that gratitude both in my actions on Sunday but also with words of gratitude, moments of prayer, and quieting moments running side-by-side with the love of my life. ❤
It’ll be 26.2 miles of gratitude.
Source: makemethink.imgfave.com via Jess on Pinterest
EatDrinkBreatheSweat 
i think those gratitude miles will carry you a long way!! SO stinkin excited!
You two are going to do great! I am so incredibly excited for your little team! Team Sutera is taking Chicago by storm!!!
I’ll be there with you ever step of the way in spirit! I may even switch my long run to Sunday just to run half with you 😉
Enjoy Chicago! I wish I were still back home to wish you well. You’ll do great!
Love this post! When I ran NY last year I dedicated the last 6 miles to my aunt who was battling breast cancer, this year the plan too is to send out some sort of intention for each mile. 2 more days!
This makes me so happy, and smile so big. I am so damn proud of you both, like I’ve said for the 15th time (or 350th!), and I am the proudest sister on the face of the planet, I do believe. XOXO sis!
GO TEAM SUTERA!!!
I am cheering you on (fiercely!)
I read this verse shortly before my marathon and I remember how much it meant to me at that moment. After reading this post, I thought of it again…..
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. –Colossians 1:11-12
Have fun in Chicago living your dream!
xo
YAY—>you are Chicago bound and hopefully the hour time change should work in your favor for a little more R&R time!!!
It is even crazy as a reader to know how long I have been reading your entries–from before your marathon training evan began!!
Will tweet you soon where I will be on the marathon course!!!
I absolutely love the idea of 26.2 miles of gratitude. No better way to lift Team Sutera up the entire journey. Safe travels my friend and they’ll be cow bells ringing for you in NYC!!
Goodness, your post got ME all choked up! Good luck on Sunday, with such a great attitude of gratitude your race will surely be a rewarding experience.
26.2 miles of gratitue!! I LOVE it. Good luck!
this gave me chills (again typing that!), made me tear up, made me Smile Big!
and when I read “good kind of fear – ” I read it as “the marathon kind” 😉
sherpa sherpa sherpa!! XXO!
So excited for you guys! I wish I was going to be in Chicago as well. I have friends that are going and will be thinking of you all. I am relishing in your training experience and totally know where your head is. BEST of luck and trust your training. You are going to do great! –Ericka @ The Sweet Life (sweetlifeericka.com)
I have been reading your blog for about a month now as I have been trying to take in, as much as is possible, anything and everything that has to do with marathon training and marathon running/racing. You see I am preparing for the NYC Marathon, my first marathon. I am very nervous and at times I feel a little burnt out. Today as I think about the 8 mile run I have to do and really don’t want to, I am glad that I read this post because despite how I may feel, overall I too am grateful. I am grateful that I am able to run and that I have made it this far in my training. This post reminded me of that…I’m re-inspired and tonight as I get my training run in I will be grateful instead of dreading it. I will finish what I set out to do. Thank you! Thank you and good luck to you and your husband as you wrap up this challenge and do it together. Quite lovely!
Jess, AMAZING! I CAN”T wait to hear about your marathon! I hope one mile is going to be dedicated to your readers- cuz we LOVE you!
That’s a great idea. I might just have to steel that one for my 1/2 on Sunday (if you don’t mind). It helps to have something to focus on. Good luck!!!
Beautiful post! You had me welling up with tears! I’ll be running the BAA half and will definitely be thinking of you both. I’ll be channelling my inner #runsherpa! I can’t wait for you to tackle this and enjoy every moment! It’s an amazing experience!
Um, totally tearing up with you…right now…at 11:17AM (10:17 your time in Chicago)…on Marathon Sunday. You’re running right now…you’re about to hit a major goal you’ve set for yourself, and I wanted to wait to write this until you were running.
You inspire me, Jess. I am so incredibly proud of you and what you’ve accomplished, and what I love just as much about this entire experience for you is that it’s you AND your husband…your partner. Your #teamsutera teammate. You guys are amazing. So strong. So connected. So together. Perfection.
I’ve loved reading every single post you’re written during this journey, because it reminds me of exactly how I felt throughout training for my first half. There’s a pride there that is unlike any other. A spirituality. The appreciation for what running can do for someone is very much seen in your words…and I love that about you.
Can’t wait to hear all about it…and I’m cheering you on from way down in VA.
Can’t wait to hear all about it! Hope you enjoyed every mile, every step. You worked so hard for.
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CANT WAIT TO READ ABOUT IT!!!!
Looking forward to reading all about it! Beautiful post!
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