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Tell Us About You >> Post-Race Stories 2009
Hello,
My name is Jenifer Judy. I just finished the Commit to Be Fit 1/2 Marathon on Saturday, May 2, 2009. In the fall of 2008 I broke my foot at a popular
venue downtown. The next morning I had to return to pick up my driver's license so that I could use my medical insurance at the hospital. During this
time there was a marathon going on in downtown Columbus. I had never been a runner at all, not even able to run a mile, but something about the looks
on everyone's faces sparked my interest. I have always been one to set strong academic and professional goals, but this was a new challenge. After
months of resting my foot and being unable to exercise, on my 26th birthday I finally made the decision to run in the 1/2 marathon in May. I sought
advice from a friend who recently completed her first half marathon and she gave me a training schedule to follow. It took me 2 whole months to get
up to being able to run 1 mile! I felt like the day would never come that I could do this. Through many tears and sore muscles, I kept to my training
schedule and ran long runs on the weekends, mostly alone. As the race drew nearer I got more and more nervous. I had never wanted anything so badly in my
life. I felt like all my hard work in itself was such an accomplishment, but I wanted to cross that finish line. I got up to 9 miles a couple weeks prior
to the race, so I was so nervous that morning knowing I would have to top my best by 4.1 miles! As I stepped up to the starting line I got such a wave
of excitement and adrenaline from all of the other runners. I ran with a couple of my veteran runner friends and kept up with them for the first 9 miles
at a strong 10 min. pace. At mile 9 I had to let them move ahead and slow down a bit, which was discouraging. When I finally made it to 10 miles and
heard the people's cheers that didn't even know me, I had a renewed energy. I gritted my teeth and tried my best to make it up the hill that came soon
after. A man who had already finished at this point saw my anguished face and ran with me up the rest of the hill, rooting me on the entire time.
Finally I turned the corner at mile 12 and could see the sea of people cheering all of the runners on. I sprinted faster for this last mile than I have
ever run before. Crossing that finish line sent a wave of emotion that I have never felt before through me. I accomplished something that everyone,
including me, never thought I could do. I truly was, committing to being fit.
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