Vegas=success

It has taken me a bit to post about Vegas but I can honestly tell you it literally took me almost a week to feel normal and to not be totally exhausted. I had so much fear and trepidation going into this team challenge race! I seriously was almost to the point where I felt like I couldn't go because there was no way I could run 13.1 miles with little to no training and being post op a bowel resection!!! 

We'll guess what ladies and gentleman.......... I'm SO glad I went and loved every second of it. This group of people that wears the orange and blue I officially call my family. They are my family that truly understands mostly everything about this disease and can look at you and say "yes I know"!  I can't even tell you how much I love being around these people. I feel "normal" for a weekend and that is a word that isn't used to describe me. 

So let's get to the juice of it.... That dreaded 13.1 miles!!! I didn't run the race to prove anything, either to myself or anyone else. I ran it because "being part of it" is so much better than being in the sidelines. No matter if I had to crawl, hop, skip, jump, dance, or walk the Vegas strip!!  I had an amazing group of people that surrounded me the entire time. We ran as a South Dakota team for almost the first 3 miles which was great. Then I got to be surrounded by my Jen sandwich!! These 2 gave me the strength and support to make it the entire way. They walked when I had to walk, talked when I was talking and just pushed me and my strength. I felt like the last 3 miles I could have died but they didn't allow that and made sure that my hands were up in the air as we crossed the finish line. I was thinking as I crossed that finish line, it didn't matter how long it took me to get there, I'll still have Crohn's disease, still feel sick and no medal would change that. But what mattered was having all the love and support around me!!

I can't put into words how much I love each and everyone one of you!

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!! Remember you have so much to be thankful for.  Your family, your health, your strength and your spirit!!

I will end this with a few pics :))

T-1 day to Vegas

Well let's just say that I'm very excited to go to Vegas with my husband and dear friends!! I am also really excited to hang out with fellow crohnies and feel normal for the weekend. Even though I don't know what will happen with my legs and body on race day... What I do know is that I will run, walk, skip, crawl, be carried across that finish line with my hands held high and a smile on my face!! 

I have been mentally preparing for this and thinking about how I will endure each of those miles so here is my motivational list for Sunday. 

Mile 1: Brian- since the day I met Brian I have never been normal aka healthy and he never ran away.  There have been days I know he wants to hide from it but he doesn't. I am so excited that he can see me cross the finish line 

Mile 2: Lily, Lucas, and Lane: these 3 wonderful children are amazing and give me a reason to get out of bed in the morning, especially those days I don't want to! 

Mile 3: My parents: they have supported me since the day of my diagnosis. However there are many times they think I'm crazy with all my ideas but even if they don't agree they still smile and say carry on!

 

Mile 4: My amazing family: we have been thru a lot this year but I know that they love me for me and will always take care of me no matter how old I am.. My family is as thick as glue

Mile 5: My friends: especially these 3 awesome ones running with me on Sunday. Jen, Dan and Trav!  And to those cheering on the sideline .... Travis, Miki, and Matt. I expect to see sparkle and lots of noise!

Mile 6: My grandma Helen: I miss her dearly. Her birthday is on Monday the 18th.. She always support my advocacy towards finding a cure and always pushed me towards whatever goal I was pursuing. She always told me I could accomplish the world. 

Mile 7: God: without him I wouldn't be here.  I use to question him and why he gave me this ugly disease but I have since realized its because he knew I could handle it and wouldn't give up without a fight!!

Mile 8: People with IBD who can't run: I'm grateful for every day I can do my normal routine as I know there is some days I can't and there is many who can't do anything 

Mile 9: All those crazy people cheering for me: thank you!

Mile 10: Sparkle: I love glitter and sparkle. It is so beautiful and brings me such joy

Mile 11:Crohns: I love you and I hate you. You have allowed me to meet some amazing people but you have also made my life a living hell  

Mile 12: The kids I met as a counselor at Camp Oasis: these children are warriors and bring me such joy in having the opportunity of meeting them and talking with them for that 1 week 

Mile 13.1: Me!!!!!