So the Outer Banks Marathon weekend is upon us.  I will be running a half marathon in less than 72 hours.  Am I nervous?  Well it depends on the moment.  I’m excited half the time and scared to death the other half of the time.  I just have to keep remember why I’m running this.  I’m running for Charlie.  He can’t run.  Heck, he can barely walk now.  And even though it’s painful for him to move around a lot, when I need him to get up, he does it and doesn’t complain…well, not much anyway.  So who am I to complain about the fact that I have the ability to run 13.1 miles?

Really at this point it’s all a mental game.  I’ve been training for this since April, I just didn’t know it!  Matt made sure of that…he’s sneaky like that you know.  If I can just keep my mind in order until about mile 6, I’ll be golden.  I know physically I can do this.  There’s no question.  It’ll hurt some for sure, but it’s supposed to hurt.  Anything hard to get is worth the pain to get there.  Shoot, so much of what we do hurts anyway.  We don’t let that stop us in other areas of life.  Giving birth, that’s a real doozy but women purposely get pregnant all the time, some even for a second and third time!!!  Drinking too much wine hurts…the next day, and yet I still partake in that exercise more often than I should.  When will I learn?

The point is…things in life that are worth having usually don’t come easily.  They’re not supposed to.  What makes it all worthwhile is that fighting spirit and sense of accomplishment when it’s done.  That’s why I’m going to fight through the pain, fight through the mental challenges, get my medal at the finish line, drink a beer and then go home to show Charlie that I did it all for him!

I know the title of this blog is about support, so I’ll get to it finally.  There is no way one takes on an endeavor like this without a support system.  In my case the support system is the only reason I am able to take this on.  My family at Outer Banks Bootcamps is…well…there’s really only one fitting way to describe them…simply AMAZING.  The Outer Banks is a special place to live.  God made this place special through the beautiful ocean, sky, nature and also the people who occupy this island and call it home.  I’m sure there are great people in many places…I’ve had the good fortune to meet some of the greatest people here on this little barrier island.

The strength, commitment, enthusiasm, community spirit, diversity and compassion that our little (growing every day though) group of bootcampers possesses is….well…once again…simply AMAZING.  I have never in my 37 years been a part of something like this.  There is a true sense of family and community amongst us.  We are fiercely loyal to Matt and Jay and they return the protection to us as well.  That’s what the strongest families do. 

I shudder at the thought that I almost didn’t stick with it. That would have been a big mistake.  God has a plan.  Things happen for a reason.  Sometimes we don’t see it until later, but when we do how can you help not looking back, smiling, nodding your head and knowing something much greater than you is in control and always has your back!  I now realize that going through all the discomfort, the growth, the connecting, the sweat, the cursing (well maybe he didn’t plan that) I was in the right place all along with the absolute right people.

From the bottom of my heart I can never thank you all enough for the lifting words. The quiet prayers. The delicious food. The endless encouragement. The smiles. The hand squeezes.  The shoulders to cry on.  The delivery of bed pads.  The text messages. The facebook messages.  The beautiful birthday surprise party.  The 20 minute drive to do a 2 minute limb removal.  The bottles of wine followed by truth or dare.  The running partner.  The reassurance I can do it.  Oh, I could go on and on.  In a nutshell, it’s the SUPPORT.   I am so blessed and grateful to be part of your group, your family.

And lastly, the support from our fearless leaders Matt and Jay has been off the charts.  If you don’t have someone like these two in your life, you’re truly missing out. You’re missing out so much that once you have them you can’t imagine life without them.  I’ve had many mentors in my years and have loved them all.  These guys take it to that next level.  I can’t even finish writing this without the tears streaming.  I hope you know how deeply important you are to us.  You are the head of this family and its strength is a direct reflection of you as leaders.  You surround yourself with the best of the best and I’m so blessed to be a part.

So, to sum it all up…Thank You.  Love You.  See You Sunday at the finish!