Monday, September 12, 2011

It is Finished - For Real!

I wasn't the last one!
I didn't ride the bus!
No emergency personnel were summoned!

I'll begin at the beginning.
Left late Saturday morning and checked into a lovely hotel in Chicago -
The W Lakeshore

These aren't my photos, but photos from their website -




Spent the day in Chicago at a fitness expo, walking around Michigan Avenue and dining at the
Grand Lux Cafe.
It was such a change from my 'everyday' life, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

One of my friends from the Leanness Lifestyle came down to pay a visit - this is Laura, and her husband Joe.
Laura's lost over 55lbs!


Since we had a 3:30am wake up call set for Sunday morning, we bedded down early - like 8:15ish - I didn't fall asleep to somewhere around 11pm - when I did I had odd dreams that my sister was having another baby and she told me 'you aren't taking this one'. 
Ha!  Did I 'take' Aaron? 
I think I did.

I woke an hour before the call came in, because I kept thinking I was oversleeping.

I do believe I may have gotten four hours of sleep, and they weren't sound.

We boarded the shuttle bus to the race start at 5:30am -


I was seriously a tired, nervous wreck.
I kept thinking - 'why am I a doing this? I can't do this. I'm going to die.  I won't finish. How embarrassing.  I should have trained more consistently.  Holy crap, I want to go home'.

By the time it was light out, and we were all lining up, I was getting a serious adrenaline rush.


Exactly how cute are we?
Super cute, that's how.

Music was blaring, the crowd was getting pumped, and we were moving like cattle to slaughter to the start line.

Pure bliss.
Pure joy.
Pure excitement.

For the first five miles.

Our time at the five mile marker was 1 hour 12 minutes.
We were smoking.
We were talking how we were going to do this again and again!
Let's RUN it next time!

Mile 8.
Seriously?

Mile 9.
Mommy.

Mile 10.
Jesus.

Mile 11.
Joseph.

Mile 12.
Mary.

Mile 13.
It's almost over - finish strong.

We did run over the finish line as they announced our names.
I got the medal put around my neck.

I got a little choked up.


I did it.
I finished.
Quite a few people behind me too -
At one point, I kept looking behind me - and then I realized if that's not the way I was going to go, quit looking.
For a fleeting moment, after I crossed the finish line, I wanted to go to the last person and cross it with them, I really wanted to.
The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.

As of the day of the race, I was down 100lbs from my highest ever weight.

What I've learned from this?
Anything really is possible - if you want it bad enough.

Starting the race?
Exciting, motivating, fun.

Finishing the race?
Deeply satisfying.

Life is beautiful.

58 comments:

  1. Way to go girl! Along the way you realized that it didn't matter if anyone was behind you, cause you've made it to the front of the pack... in more ways than one! A great way to celebrate life on a day when we all should be so thankful for the ability to run a race.

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  2. I have a puddle of proud tears in my eyes, all for you, my friend!

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  3. I am so awed by you. You are beautiful -- always have been, always will be, inside and out. But you know what I see now, in those photos? JOY. Pure bliss. Deep satisfaction. Hey ... there's Jayme!! And she is one smokin' hot, determined and happy lady. You make me proud to know you ... even if it's virtually! Have a LOVELY, lovely day!

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  4. Totally awesome! What a challenge you set for yourself and you accomplished it! Woohoo! AND, you are looking quite FAB darlin'! Keep up the amazing work! (Because we all know, at least those of us who have ever had to diet, that it IS work!)

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  5. Oh Jaymes, you ARE super cute. I feel like a proud mama. You are a truly amazing girl.
    Walk on, sister friend.

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  6. Jayme, you are so wonder-ful! You go, girl!

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  7. What an amazing thing! Congrats to you and all who participated.

    I was in Chicago, but for a different reason. Our son is moving to Europe for a year, and we went to spend the day with him. Tears...

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  8. I'm just glad you are still alive after this. I wouldn't be!

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  9. APPLAUSE....APPLAUSE...{insert standing ovation}...and more applause! Well done...you look wonderful.

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  10. That is so amazing! YOU are so amazing. And inspiring. And awesome! So proud of you.

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  11. I am so proud of you. You looked beautiful. Are you now at your goal or do you have more you want to lose? I just started on a low carbohydrate high protein diet. I have lost 10 lbs
    Pray for me to stay steady on this journey!

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  12. I have to agree with the above & say that was a.m.a.z.i.n.g!!! You are inspiring! You are inspiring me!!! Thank YOU!

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  13. my half marathon is on sept 25th. i am a nervous nellie, but whatcha gonna do?

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  14. w.o.w.
    I cried just reading about the race...GREAT job finishing! You ARE an inspiration!
    Rene

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  15. I am so proud of you, Jayme. As a person who has had ups & downs with weight my whole life- I know the feeling of accomplishment. You are an inspiration to all of us- young, old and everywhere in between! xo Diana

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  16. That is truly amazing...good for you!! You were already a winner...just so you know!

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  17. Congratulations! You are so inspiring to me....and I love to read your 'drivel' Just wanted you to know that!

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  18. Was your husband along to root you on? You are inspiring girl. You look fabulous might I say.

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  19. you know what I think...inspirational! I am soooo proud of you. I am in training for our excursion... Counting the days!!

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  20. You look so radiant in those pictures and so happy even after the long race. What, you did not even break a sweat gal... May face would have been red as a beet but you look awesome!

    Doing a happy dance for you! Onward to the NY marathon....right?

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  21. I know I don't know you from Adam's cat but I sure wish I could give you a big ol' hug or at least a fist bump/high five.

    Congratulations on finishing 13.1 miles--that is a huge accomplishment and you should be so proud of yourself!!

    What a difference a year makes, right?

    Our minds are so powerful and our bodies will usually follow through once we make up our minds--but it is often a battle.

    You are inspiring so many!

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  22. Yay! You did it!!! I do a 5k on 10/16 and I am terrified!!! Don't laugh.

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  23. I am so very proud of you, friend!! You are lookin' amazing as well.. and such a true happy healthful glow you have :) Congratulations - you're truly one of the most inspirational people that I am honored to know (even if only in blogland ;)). Hugs, Tammy

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  24. Jayme - you've come a long way baby! Congratulations on finishing the race! We're all proud of you and for you! You look great, and you should have a heart full of self-satisfaction for a job well done! You can accomplish anything you want to! Just think how much confidence you have now!

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  25. Congratulations Jayme!! Way to go, you really should be very, very proud of your accomplishment!

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  26. So proud of you! And I agree, you are super cute.

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  27. I tip my hat to you! Congratulations!

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  28. Oh Jayme, you rock!! Congratulations! What a milestone. You're such an inspiration! And you look FABULOUS!!!!

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  29. Congratulations Jayme! that is awesome, you should be so proud of yourself!!! Have a wonderful week! Hugs, Jennifer

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  30. I'm struggling with my weight right now, a measly 20 lbs, and your story has been hitting home for me, big time.

    You are an inspirational woman, great job!

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  31. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
    Velvia

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  32. Jayme, YOU ROCK!!!
    You should be very proud of yourself .You look amazing,I think every time I see your picture you are smaller than before.You are a extraordinary woman and should be very proud.

    Brenda:)

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  33. Congrats Jayme! You are inspirational. Have a great week!

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  34. Jayme, I found your blog from FPFG and kept coming back because you CRACK ME UP! I am so inspired by your journey into health and fitness. I know we could be great friends if not separated by several states!

    Laura

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  35. Whoa!!!! I am so happy for you!!! jan

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  36. I got a little weepy - like proud of you weepy!

    Congratulations! Well done! So excited for you! :)

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  37. I just love reading your blog, it gives me so much hope. Not that I am not happy with where I am, it is just that sometimes I just forget how happy I should be and get a little down in the dumps, well today was one of those days, and guess what, the adrenaline just ran through me reading this, I feel so much better, the lights just came back on, thanks so much, life is beautiful, especially having you around! :0)

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  38. You are so inspiring! Not to mention you look absolutely stunning. Congratulations on your amazing achievement.

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  39. I am so, so, so proud of you!

    xo, Cheryl

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  40. Congratulations!! You look fantastic!

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  41. YAY for YOU!!! So exciting and so encouraging...

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  42. Amazing. Congrats. Just found you. Debi

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  43. Oh Jamye you are my hero. I can just imagine your adrenaline as you cross the finish line. You must be so pleased with yourself. What a gutsy thing to do and do it so well you did.

    Congratulations!

    You deserve the week off.

    Bridgemor

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  44. CONGRATS!!! What an achievement! You are looking great - my hero! Wish I ha dhalf of your "gumption"!!!

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  45. Oh Jayme! I just want to CRY! This is SSOOOO wonderful and I'm so proud of you! You cannot possibly know what an inspiration you are to the rest of us. Once again, SO SO proud of you! A. Farrar

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  46. What a wonderful accomplishment...so happy for you! You look amazing as well!

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  47. Congratulations! I agree with everyone else, you do look amazing. I'd wear that medal all the time if I had one, so go ahead and accessorize with it - you deserve it!
    Renee W.
    Austin, TX

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  48. Jayme, I am so happy for you. You truely are inspiring.

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  49. Way to go Jaymee. . .you're my idol!

    To think you were just making silly videos about disappearing cinnamon buns,(myfavoriteÜ) and now you be running a marathon. . .you take my breath away! love you girl

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  50. I am sooooo proud of you. It seems you just keep racking up the achievements. Nancy

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  51. Way to go Jayme! I haven't visited for a bit and I have to tell you I was just floored by how great you look!! You are a Skinny Minnie:). Wow! You are an inspiration!

    Blessings,

    Julia

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