Welcome to Atlanta

     Yesterday was one of my favorite days in a long, long time.  The things that I accomplished as well as the things I learned watching others accomplish big, BIG goals will stick with me for a very, very long time.

     The back story.  Several months ago, one of my very best friends, who had been contemplating running a marathon for a while decided she was going to do it.  But she wasn't going to do it the normal way, she was going to do it for a cause and accomplish some major things along the way.  Those major things being sponsoring the education of 26 girls in Nepal.  Here's a post by my friend, Erin Leigh, about the race, about the money she raised, and about She's the First, the organization the money went to.

     I don't know about you, but if you are like me, when one of your best friends is about to accomplish something huge like this, especially if it's endurance sport related, you have to be there.  So, I planned a trip and made my way to Atlanta this weekend.

     Never one to miss out on the running-related action, I couldn't just solely spectate.  Although I wanted to run the half marathon, my coach had already told me that would be a no-go and I should plan on running the 5k.  So I signed up to do just that...and I also convinced my brother, who happened to be in town, to run with me.

A little too early for fully opened eyes.

     After wishing Erin Leigh luck, and promising to see her on the course in an hour or so, we headed off for a warmup mile and then to the start for the 5k.  This being the last run of a long training block, I was nervous about the race.  I haven't raced for time in a while and was questioning whether my running fitness had improved at all.  The course was tough for this beach girl.  We don't have hills here.  We have bridges and that's about it.  The course in Atlanta?  It had some pretty big, and relatively steep hills.

     My brother knew what my time goal was and he said as soon as we hit the start of mile 2 and could see the long climb ahead, he was questioning whether a PR on that course would be possible, he thought probably not.  After the climb that was essentially the entirety of mile 2, we both realized that a PR was possible, and probably in a big way.  And I did PR, by 1 minute and 50 seconds.  I guess this means my training is actually working and my coach knows what he's doing...who would have thought?

Post-race PR high

    After running, I had a one-track mind: change clothes and get out on the course and cheer for Erin Leigh.  And that's exactly what I did.  I put on my #26miles26girls shirt, grabbed my grumpy cat sign, and hopped on Marta to go find my friend on the course.

How cool are our shirts?  Also, please forgive my crazy eyes...
too much excitement for me to handle, apparently. 

My Grumpy Cat sign.  Erin Leigh always says that Grumpy Cat reminds her of me, so I figured if
she'd be happy to see me on the course, she'd be happy to
see Grumpy Cat on the course too.  And let me tell you, that sign was a hit.
People laughing and stopping to take pictures with me.  It was so much fun

      Let me tell you, if you are ever feeling uninspired regarding your training, go out and spend the day on a marathon course and cheer for complete strangers (and people you know).  It will make their day and it will give you a renewed sense of passion.  But let me give you another little tip (and this may not be true for everyone but it certainly is for me), don't go to watch the front of the pack amazing runners, hang around and wait for the middle of the pack every-day Joe runners.  Those people?  They are inspiring.  To see these people pushing themselves, testing their limits, and realizing how much they are capable of: truly inspiring.

     This is Charlie.  Yesterday, he completed his 100th marathon at the GA marathon.  I cheered for him and said hello, and he was so joyful.  Such an inspiration.

That's Charlie in the middle at mile 21.  

     I spent the day cheering my heart out, smiling, laughing, and spending time with my family, Erin Leigh's sweet family (who I hadn't seen in far too long), and some new and old friends.  And I got in a fight (not physical) with a man yelling at people (runners, police officers, and spectators) because the streets were closed an it inconvenienced him...but that isn't what this is about, so I won't dignify people like him with any more of my time.   And then, we made our way back to the finish line to watch Erin Leigh become a marathoner.  And she did.  And she cried, and I cried (good thing I had my sunglasses on), and everyone cried.  Because not only did she accomplish something huge for herself in completing a marathon, but she did something so amazing for girls in Nepal.  She gave them a chance at an education and at a better life.  And that?  Well, that still give me goosebumps.

Crossing the finish line and hugging her friend, Brooke, her coconspirator in the
#26miles26girls campaign.

Tammy, Erin Leigh, and Brooke.  Tammy is the President/Founder of
She's the First and ran the half marathon yesterday.

     We spent some time celebrating with Erin Leigh and hugging and a little bit more crying, and then, it was time for me to jump in the car and head back home.  I still had a 9 hour drive in front of me.

     Although it was a long drive home last night, I wouldn't have traded being there for for the world.  It reminded me how strong and amazing people are and gave me a renewed sense of passion for running.  And words don't even begin to describe how proud I am of Erin Leigh.  So when's the next one, EL?!?!  JK, kind of.

     I had no idea until yesterday what a great race this was.  Huge shout out to the GA marathon race directors, volunteers, and the City of Atlanta.  This race was so well organized, had the most helpful volunteers, and went off without a hitch.  My brother accidentally left his race bib in another city (long story) and didn't have it race morning.  There was no problem getting him another bib.  There were several people doing the same for the half and the full.  There was no line and the volunteers helping were friendly and efficient.  After hearing of what a nightmare Rock N' Roll was yesterday, it was nice to be a part of a race that cared about the runners and not the profit.  I will definitely be running this race in the future.