LOVE MY FISHIES

I am so emotional today and I feel the need to blog about it! All those who know me know I'm pretty awkward when it comes to emotions and crying and feelings. I'm just awkward. But I'm feeling so many different things as this marathon approaches in less than 48 hours! Running is so much more than running to me. I have been thinking about the reasons I even started to love running to motivate me for Saturday.  When I was little I was always a short distance sprinter and had a lot of speed. I would race all the boys at recess and loved beating them. I still remember not being able to beat Brandon Brown... but that is besides the fact. Anyway, that was my thing as a young child. I was fast and liked to show off to the boys that I could beat them.  Haha.  I never knew my biological dad growing up and it was kind of always a mystery to me.  Nobody really spoke about him but one of the only things I did know was from my grandma. She told me he was a "great runner". Once I found that out it was always in the back of my head for any sort of run. From my fifth grade track meets to track and cross country in high school, I would always push myself to the breaking point in hopes that if I ever did meet my real dad I could tell him I was a "great runner" too and that he would be proud of me. So in thinking back about why I ever started to run and what made me like it so much was the fact that maybe it was something I had in common with my real dad. And now here I am! I am about to run 26.2 miles. A marathon! My first marathon! Something I said I would never do! Ever!

 
This journey to the marathon has been incredible. I never knew training for a marathon could have so many highs and lows and different emotions. I couldn't have asked for a better group of friends to run with. Even though I have been a lone ranger and haven't experienced real long runs with my girls like they get to do with each other.. I still feel like we are on this journey together!

 
Today April wrote to the newspaper about us! How sweet is that? Even though April is not actually running the marathon, I feel like she is a huge part in my marathon journey. She's been the best cheerleader and participated in so many of our runs that I feel like she is running the marathon! I will miss not seeing her face when I cross the finish line but I know she will be thinking of us! She's the sweetest girl. She's always so funny and caring. I've loved getting to know her. April really does think about people and I admire her in so many ways! She's done some pretty remarkable things herself throughout this journey. Running 15 miles just like that! Wow!! I love you April!

 
It's been so fun to get to know Candi. I knew her a little from the bank and different things but now I just have a better sense of who she is! She's the sweetest person ever. She brought me the yummiest cake on my birthday and is always so happy. I don't think I have seen Candi in a bad mood. She's always so nice and I can tell she is just a genuinely caring girl. I can't tell you how much I admire that in people. Candi you are the best and I've learned so much through your attitude! The world needs more sweet people like you. You are always just up for anything. You never complain or make a fuss about stuff. I just think you are incredible!

 Lexie... she's amazing. Not only did she say yes to running TOZ with us like a day before the race.. she signed up for a marathon halfway through the training! Her willpower and determination amazes me! I'm so proud to say we share the same name and I've gotta say there is not too many people that I would switch over to LAX for. But I would for her! Lexie has also brought me embarrassing items from the store when I was too embarrassed to go...(in brown papered bags haha) chia seeds and just always built up my confidence! She's always so willing to drop anything and help me out. I have told everyone I know "You know who I just love... Lexie Doss". Then they correct me and say you mean Lexie Little.... haha. Anyway, Lex I'm so glad we have become friends through this.

 

MaryAnn... Our superhero! I'm so grateful for all the hardwork MaryAnn has had to put in for our long runs. She was always our command center having to do the hard work of figuring out mileage and who needed to be dropped off where. A job I definitely didn't envy. Her busy life of a new job and a family plus running a marathon simply amazes me! If I ever felt bad for myself I would think of MaryAnn and all that she was having to do plus run a marathon. I also felt comfort knowing that MaryAnn had to do a lot of the runs by herself too. I have to admit, sometimes I would get jealous of all the fun that the other girls seemed to have on their runs but it was nice to know MaryAnn was a loner like me too. :) MaryAnn and I shared some great talks during a couple long runs we got to run together and I'm very grateful for her friendship. I'll never forget when I was going through a really hard time last year and I get a text from MaryAnn telling me let's get out and run. Those are the things you just don't forget. I love you MaryAnn!

 

My mexican sister holds a dear place in my heart. Becka is amazing. Her uplifting positive attitude is definitely catching and she makes these running experiences that much more fun!  I think of all the things Becka has done for all of us during this training (let alone all of our other runs) and I get emotional. I've gotta say she is one of the most selfless people I know. She makes us calendars... designs our shirts...makes us aid stations and does it all so effortlessly. (seemingly anyway) She never does anything for the praise of others and I just think she's one of a kind. She also is totally cheesy like me and finds symbolism in everything. I love it. Plus our age difference is 13 years and we both love the number 13 and it's 2013 and we are Mexican and we drive black cars and married very white men. I mean what more can I say? I look up to you in so many ways Becka! I love you!

 

Ebbi Lou. I get emotional just typing her name. In fact I'm just sitting here crying as I type this. I could go on and on and on about Ebbi and our experiences but I'm going to keep it short. She's honestly one of the most amazing, incredible, inspiring, caring people I have ever met. And she's basically my lifeline. She's my go to girl for everything and I couldn't even imagine this life without her. She's my number one cheerleader and just always has had so much faith in me! She builds me up and I can always count on her for anything. Ebbi makes everything fun and I can always count on her for a good laugh. I feel so lucky to have her as my friend and I just love being around her all the time.

She is not only raising a family of five but one of them happens to be under a year old. That's so hard! She is building a house and running kids around all the time. She amazes me. I can't wait for the day when Ebbi sees what she does for other people and how important she is in everyone's life! I love you Ebbi!

 

So this has been a long emotional post but I wanted each one of you to know how much this time has meant to me and what you all have meant to me! And since I'm awkward in person I probably won't ever say this to your face! They say people are put into your life for a reason and I feel like each of you has individually taught me something throughout this marathon journey. I hope I can take a little from each of you and become a better person myself.

 

This is it girls! This is the fun part! This is where we enjoy all of our hard work and training. I hope you guys all have the race of your life and always remember this. I love you all!