Anniversary
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Today is my 11th SparkVersary. Although I have yet to reach my weight goal, I have learned many lessons from SparkPeople and I have made many Spark friends. I am grateful for finding the site quite randomly 11 years ago.There have been changes to the site over the years and there have been changes in my life. I was still working 11 years ago and my mother was still living. Although I am not at goal, I am 40 pounds lighter. I am more active too. Back then, I did not visit the site every day like I do now.
Today I accomplished something I had not even considered 11 years ago. I finished my first half-marathon. When I signed up early in the new year, I planned to run. Although I can run a little, I have not become a runner and I made the decision to walk today. I am grateful my daughter was able to come home for the weekend and walk with me.
Here we are before the event. My doctor was there with his medical team and he took our picture with K's phone.
I was doing well until about the 18th kilometer. I could feel the threat of cramping in my legs and just as we reached the corner, it happened. Both calves were cramping so bad I didn't know what to do. I don't really remember exactly what happened but I sat on the ground and there was a lady who 'pulled my leg'. She said she does it for her father. It helped and I was able to get moving again. I had been drinking gatoraid at every water station but apparently I could have been dehydrated. By then we were pretty much at the back of the pack. In fact, four of us were following one of the officials in his slowly moving vehicle until we got to the finish. He kept checking on me.
My daughter found a motivational message my son had posted earlier in the week and played it on the last leg of our trek. One song I have been listening to this year that I find motivating is "We Come Running" by Youngblood Hawke. She was able to find that and I sang along as we came to the finish. My friend and her mother who had seen us at the 13K mark were waiting for us on the other side of the finish.
By then I could barely move. The massage tables were still set up so I moved to the tent and someone massaged my calves. It helped. On the way home, I told my daughter I was glad she was driving because at that point, I didn't think I would have been able to if I was alone.
I had a nice epsom salts bath and took an ibuprofen. After Kathryn left, I had a nice nap. I finished and that was my goal. All is well.
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Member Comments About This Blog Post
- vHUGS2015
Happy 11th Sparkaversary! I loved seeing your race pictures with you and your daughter. Music really does help to get you over the "I want to quit" hump during exercise. You are such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing! 
2093 days ago - vMAYIE53
This is such a wonderful success story in so many ways. 40 pounds lighter. More active. Having finished a half marathon. That's HUGE. I doubt that before hearing your story such a goal would have even been on my radar. Congratulations to you! And happy Sparkversary!
2093 days ago - vDAISYBELL6
Fantastic! You should be so proud. You are definitely an inspiration.
2094 days ago - vSTRONGDAWG
You are an inspiration! You didn't give up and you made your goal! Well done!
Enjoy your well earned rest.
2094 days ago - vONEKIDSMOM
What a great story of "never quit", the spirit of Spark and of runners everywhere. Proud of your accomplishment! One thing I find as now a (surprisingly) veteran of five years of athletic endeavors... I get SO thrilled by each and every person who overcomes adversity on their own way to a goal/dream.
on this one.
Now on Monday, move gently throughout your day. If you have compression gear for your calves, now would be a good time to use it! I didn't discover compression sleeves until about my third HM, and would not be without them now. I started out with one pair of Medical grade sleeves, and now I have two of those and two "active" pair I wear during training and events. Helps a LOT!
Happy recovery. Oh, and if you are like me, the hunger demanding that you restore what you spent? Hits on the day AFTER the effort.
Finishing IS winning, my friend! And Happy Sparkversary, too! 
2094 days ago - vLINDA!
Congrats!
2094 days ago - v1HAPPYSPIRIT
Congratulations! Happy Sparkversary!
2094 days ago - vCD15603816
That is amazing! Such a great goal to be able to accomplish! A nice secret of mine for my Friday hikes is rosemerry mint Epsom salt ;) I find it helps me recover faster that day
2094 days ago - vMISSLORI5
Totally Awesome! That was a terrific accomplishment! Many congrats!!!
2094 days ago - vFABULOUSLIFE40
Wow!! Congratulations to You and Your Daughter! Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
2094 days ago - vDIANEWITHASMILE
you are amazing! I am in awe...I plan on doing a 5K next year, maybe one day I will also be able to find the courage to attempt AND finish a half! Great job!!!
2094 days ago
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