Be an inspiration to yourself and others...

If you read my last post then you know I ran a marathon on Sunday. If you read my last post then you know that running that marathon was incredibly difficult for me, difficult and painful. If you read my last post then you know that running that marathon was one of the most incredible accomplishments in my short 25 years.

What you didn't read in my last post was the ripple effect. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a still body of water - your choice: pool, lake, puddle, glass, tub, etc. Imagine the stillness in the air, the calmness that surrounds you. Imagine yourself picking up a pebble - a pebble that can be labeled as anything you'd like. For me, this pebble is my marathon. Now, imagine dropping it into that body of water before you. Watch the still body of water ripple outward farther and larger until it consumes the entire space.

So what is my point? To me, my marathon was mine - something that I set my mind to accomplish. When I ran the race, I ran it for me. What I did not realize is how my running of the marathon affected those around me. The response that I received from my friends about how proud they were and how much I inspired them was incredible. It suddenly became apparent that my marathon was not just MY marathon - it was a part of my entire life, a part of every person in it...even those I had never met...

Enter George Julian - someone that I inspired on Sunday. George follows me on Twitter and reads my blog when I get around to posting something interesting. George recently blogged about me - yes, me. George and I have never met. George and I have exchanged some small conversations through social networking. George was inspired by me this week....so much that she is now signed up for her first half marathon.

George's blog floored me today because I realized that my actions, the things that I do on a daily basis, have an affect on those around me and sometimes even those far from me. Who am I to think I could ever be that powerful?

The truth - you ARE that powerful. You may think that the things you do only affect you. You may think that people do not care about your successes and your failures. The truth - people care, people notice, people ARE affected.

So I ask you this - if knowing that people WILL be affected by what you do, how you present yourself, what you say, etc. then how will you affect them?

I choose to leave each person I meet better than when I met them. I choose to continue to be an inspiration to myself and others.

What will you choose?

I completed my first marathon today...

I am officially home and on my couch. I don't plan on moving from here anytime soon. Today I officially completed my first marathon (http://www.thecoloradomarathon.com/). Not only did I complete it, I ran it...the whole thing...

I woke up at 3:30am, feeling a bit sleepy but ready for the race. My mind was ready. My body...well we were going to find out if that was ready very soon. I entered the race bus, ready to embark on the journey to the starting line. On the ride up Poudre Canyon (left) it was dark...most of the world was still asleep. I looked up at the skyline and to my great surprise I saw a shooting star...it was going to be a good day.

I didn't do anything fancy for my pre-race routine. I made my way towards the back of the line and waited to begin. 6:00am came and went and we were off...down the Poudre Canyon for 26.2 miles. The race started off great and I was running 2 minutes under pace for the first 10-11 miles. Unfortunately I started having some hip problems at 7 miles in. I started feeling angry and frustrated. How could I finish 19 more miles with this pain? I popped a couple of Aleve and tried to stay focused. Foreigner came on to my mp3 player about 9 miles in and that gave me enough motivation to keep on trucking. It is amazing how much 80's music motivates me!

At about 15 miles my legs were starting to hurt all over. I started my internal dialogue to keep myself moving. I had managed to maintain a consistent pace and was averaging about a 10 minute mile. Once I hit 17 I knew that anything past that was officially the longest I had run in my life. Twenty miles started some pretty abrasive internal dialogue - some language was used that is not appropriate for this blog. I was on the verge of tears due to the intense pain shooting through my lower limbs. I sucked it up, said out loud, "Are we done with the Erin Kennedy pity party now?", and I trucked on. Night Ranger's Sister Christian, though maybe not a song you think would be motivating came on and kept me "Motorin'..."

At 24 miles I had hit my max - I literally had no idea how I would be able to finish the race. My pace had slowed considerably and the pain was unspeakable. From about 18 miles it turned into a mental race. I was counting on my mental strength to get me through it. So many others around me had switched back and forth between walking and jogging. Some people that beat my time had walked considerable lengths of the race. I didn't care - I was in this to run it, and run it for me. And run I did...all the way into the end.

I crossed the finish line, took some water and my medal, walked outside the gate and it hit me. At this very moment I broke down into tears. It was a feeling that overwhelmed me and one I cannot fully explain.  

The pride that I felt after crossing that line, finishing 26.2 miles, consumed me. There are not many moments in my life that I can remember feeling this way, but I will never forget this one.

I finished up my marathon day by celebrating with some pancakes and a 90 Schilling Beer. What a fulfilling, satisfying, and delicious meal!

I may never run faster than a 10 minute mile. I may never be able to compete with most people that run in races like this. BUT, I achieved something today that I dedicated myself to for 5 months. I achieved something today for me. Erin Kennedy, I am proud of you.


What have you achieved for yourself lately?

My First Marathon

Pre-Race

It is Saturday at about 1:00pm in the afternoon. I'm waiting for my laundry to be done before grabbing some lunch and heading up to Ft. Collins for the evening. Tomorrow I will be completing my very first marathon. 26.2 miles awaits me starting at 6:00am in the morning. I figured it was necessary to blog about what this experience is like for me. 

I started an 18 week training program at the beginning of the year. I was sticking strong to the program and completing it with ease...or at least I was before I went to Singapore. While in Singapore I did not get a chance to adhere to the recommended runs, as we were incredibly busy with meetings and different activities. I figured that it wouldn't be a big deal because I could just get back into my training upon my return to Colorado. Little did I know what I was in for...

After returning from Singapore, for two weeks straight, I suffered from what I can only assume was extreme fatigue with a side of over training. I pushed myself pretty hard before my trip and when I got back, I couldn't walk from my bedroom to the kitchen without needing to sit down. I had absolutely no energy, my appetite was off, and trying to run made me sick to my stomach. I went to the doctor and took blood test after blood test, all to hear that I was perfectly healthy. Following the two weeks I was able to get back into it for a week before I was hit with a sinus infection. Three weeks later and here I am.

 So where am I at now? Cardiovascular-wise I know I can run this thing. I know that I am in good enough shape to withstand 26.2 miles of exertion. However, I am not sure if my body is strong enough and ready for this. Mentally I am so incredibly determined I could probably give Lance Armstrong a run for his money (mentally only of course!). 

So there it is - I'm nervous, I'm scared, I'm determined. My goal for the marathon is to run it - finish it - no walking. I don't want to have to walk any of it, I literally want to 'run' a marathon. This may be the only marathon I do and I want to cross that finish line proud of what I have accomplished. 

I am proud of myself right now for doing this. I am proud of myself for committing to 18 weeks for this accomplishment. Whatever happens tomorrow, I know I'm strong and can do anything I put my mind to. 

Tune in for how I did.... 

99 Days until the YOG

Best Sports Memory

Today I was answering some interview questions and one of the questions asked me about my favorite sports memory in relation to rugby. I answered the question with the time that I received 'Rookie of the Year' after only playing for 3 months. It was a fun moment for sure, but it definitely got me thinking about my 'favorite sports moments' overall.

If you asked me to name you a favorite moment from every sport that I played, the first one that comes to mind is always centered on scoring or winning. In cross country it was the moment I got 2nd place overall at a meet in Cardinal Brennan. In basketball I remember hitting a 3 point shot against Shenendoah before the buzzer at halftime and it felt amazing. In softball I hit a home run against Mount Carmel my senior year. So as I think about these moments today I ask myself, "Why these?"

Why is it that our favorite moments involve our personal successes? I mean, I get it, I do. We are taught that success is defined in these terms. However, I started to think today about the other successes I had in sport. Here I am, promoting the fact that sport is an amazing avenue for developing yourself as a whole person, and I define my favorite moments by these personal things.

So let me rewind and answer that question again... (For the record this was really hard because there were so many great moments)

My favorite moment in rugby doesn't involve me playing, but when I coach a child in rugby and see them smile and light up with pure, raw enjoyment - it fills me with a sense of pride that is beyond words.

My favorite moment in basketball goes back to junior high when I played with my best friends. We may not have been the best players but we had so much fun in those retro uniforms.

My favorite moment in softball was our spring break trip to Florida my junior year. The friendships I formed on that trip would last a lifetime.

My favorite moment in Cross Country was a combination of moments in my junior year. The team that year had the most amazing chemistry and the long bus rides full of singing songs and spending time with Coach Benyo amazing moments.

Looking back on all of my sport experiences, the 'favorite' moments are endless.

So I challenge you today - what are your favorite sport moments that do not involve personal success, scoring points, winning, etc.?