All great success stories start with food poisoning, I think

So, food poisoning. That was one hell of an unexpected curve ball of the weekend. The weekend -- in case you didn't know -- when I had planned to run my first 5K. The 5K I had been training for since early January.

Mike lovingly brought Kyle to have lunch with me on Friday and since we're 1) off meat for March and 2) trying to save every last penny we can, we decided to split some spinach and mushroom enchiladas.

Listen closely: eating vegetables will bring you nothing but actual pain.

We both woke up Saturday morning, hunched over in pain and, well, hunched over the toilet, too, if I'm being straight with you. I was supposed to leave for Austin (where the 5K was happening) hours later and I didn't know how I was supposed to do that. Or how I was supposed to leave Mike (still hunched over himself) to care for Kyle.

I decided to go anyway. Even if I had to crawl across the finish line, I wanted to finish. It wasn't how I wanted this weekend to go down, no, but I wouldn't let that stop me from strapping on my shoes and finishing, somehow.

And, people, I was convinced "somehow" would include lots and lots of walking and lots of lots of kicking myself for those damn enchiladas.

I felt better by the time I got to Austin, but I didn't feel great. Not even close. But, still, finishing. That was my goal.

I woke up at an ungodly hour this morning, an hour I don't want to ever see again, quite honestly. My stomach was killing me, but I couldn't tell if it was lingering enchilada issues or nerves. At that ungodly hour with that knotted-up stomach, I could have easily been talked out of running. You could have suggested just about any alternate activity, and I would have jumped at it. Doing the dishes? Sure! Laundry? Bring it! Tax paying? Sounds fun! But, I was running with some friends in a relay, and not one suggested doing anything but getting in the car and going to do what I had been training to do for months. Damn them, I kept thinking.

When we got to the race, we had some down time, so we stretched and shivered. Funny, it's colder before the sun rises. Who knew! Also: runners are an annoyingly perky bunch. There was far too much chattering at 6:30 am for my taste.

I was the first in the relay (each relay runner did the same 5K course), and until the gun went off I wasn't sure how it was going to unfold. I was talking nicely to myself: do what you can, it's OK if you walk, just finish just finish just finish. 

And I repeated your running advice to myself over and over. I started off sloooooowly. I started off so slowly, speed walkers were zooming right by. But I didn't get discouraged. I didn't get frustrated. I just kept going.

I ran the entire damn time.

I know! I was shocked too!

The first mile was a breeze in that I didn't want to die. Success! The second mile was tougher in that dying wasn't an unreasonable thought. Also, I couldn't shake these two seven-year-old kids. Children! Giving me a run for my money. So, mile two wasn't my favorite. The third mile got a lot better because I was close! People were starting to cheer! I hadn't puked once! The seven-year-olds were in my dust!

I sprinted to the finish and felt as fantastic as I can remember feeling apart from giving birth. And this time there were no stitches in my crotch! And there were also bagels at the race. That's one thing Kyle's birth was missing: carbs.

I have to thank Julie personally for suggesting Melissa Etheridge's "I Run for Life" as the perfect finish line song because it was just that. Also, to Lizzie, for suggesting I repeat some motivating words to myself throughout. Other than all the great advice and all the training and the incredible atmosphere, this is what I credit with helping me check off this huge goal. For the entire three miles I repeated the same thing, over and over and over.

I said this:

I am a runner.

**

Thank you so much for all your support and encouragement and faith the last few months. You were a huge part of this, you have no idea, and I wish I could have gathered you all there at the finish line to celebrate together. 

I'm already planning my next one for May.

Also, I got to have lunch with Natalie after the race, and it was one of those amazing couple hours that restored my faith in the Internet. She is adorable and funny and refreshing and she was a perfect person to toast my success with.

Comments

[Laurie]

Way to go! And with food poisoning, you are such a trooper! I ran a race this weekend too & I was just looking for a reason.

[jodifur]

congrats!

[Lemon Gloria]

Congratulations! And yikes! I'd definitely have opted out of the race with the food poisoning. Also, glad it felt better than having stitches in your crotch.:)

[merrymishaps]

If you can run through food poisoning, you can run through anything. Congratulations!

[natalie]

Yeah!! Fantastic accomplishment and I had so much fun with you. Congrats on working so hard and achieving your goal... you are awesome.

[Katie]

Congrats!! You make me want to try a 5K, and I HATE RUNNING!

[Marie Green]

Funny that Sundry had food poisoning too, on the morning of her big goal-achieving race. Also: weird.

Also-also, I'm signing up for a 5k today. Don't know which one yet, or where, or even when (May? June?), but you've inspired me. Thank you.

[Jill]

Great job! What an accomplishment!

[pickles & dimes]

Yay - congratulations! I'm so happy for you that you did the whole thing without stopping!

When my husband ran his first 5K, he picked out runners in the crowd that annoyed him (guy with super tight shorts, guy with overly tanned, chiseled chest, etc.) and made it his goal to beat them.

[Roz]

Congrats! you are so insipring!!

[Jen]

YOU DID IT!!!!

[Life of a Doctor's Wife]

Congratulations!!! You ARE a runner. Such a wonderful, inspiring story.

[Jessica]

I am SOOOO proud of you, seriously! That is SO SO SO cool. Congratulations!

[Jenn]

CONGRATULATIONS! What an awesome accomplishment, Jennie! You should be so proud!! I am so happy to have read this on a Monday morning -- you have inspired me to take on an impossible week :)

[Elizabeth]

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you - but I never once doubted you could do it! It's all down hill from here, baby.

[Jess]

You ARE a runner, and this is awesome! And you aren't just a runner, you're a HARDCORE runner, because you ran through food poisoning! Congratulations!

[Home Sweet Sarah]

You are awesome, lady! And yes, you are indeed a runner!

By the way, you never mentioned (at least that I saw) that this was a relay. That would have scared me even more shitless! People are actually relying on me to finish this thing? Gah!

Congratulations again, you rock!

[Heather]

Oh man...I teared up reading your post! I am so proud of you, and so happy for you that, despite the bumpy start, you had an awesome finish. So sorry about the food poisoning, but I am sooooo pleased that you didn't let it slow you down. You are one tough mama. HUGS!!!!!!!!!! And tons of high fives!

[Kristen]

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you, doing it even with food poisoning. You are a runner!

[Jenny B]

Wow that is totally impressive - congratulations!!

[Candy]

WOOOOO!! Welcome to the Club :-) That finish line changes you in such a good way, doesn't it?? That first race is one you will always remember (some parts for better, some parts for worse). I'm so happy for you! I can't wait to see how you progress!

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are.

Joan Benoit Samuelson "

[JennyL]

Awesome! Inspired me, seriously. I want to be a runner too!

[Kristabella]

Congrats lady! That is awesome! You should be very proud of yourself!

[Katy]

You rock! Are you addicted now? They say running is addicting, but so far I'm immune.

[angelynn]

Congratulations! You are my hero. I can't imagine willing yourself to race and then actually getting through it. I am amazed. Great job!

[Steph]

YOU did it!!! YOU did it!!! Hurrah, hooray, WOO-HOO!!!!

*throwing confetti, followed up by some FUNFETTI (cupcakes)*

SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!! :)

[sensibly Sassy]

Wow, congratulations!!
SO happy for you!

[K]

Congrats on finishing your first 5k! And after having food poisoning! Incredible!