you can rest on the bus.

By the time you see this post, I will be running the Cape Cod Marathon! Though Hurricane Sandy may have derailed my year-long plans to run the Marine Corps Marathon, I couldn't be more grateful the wonderful folks at CCM let me join their fold this weekend. After months of training, I knew I had to get the 26.2 miles in somewhere. Running one of the most scenic {albeit hilly} marathons in the country makes up for the fact I won't be running by my favorite sights in DC.
In preparation for my race, I had a few t-shirts made. After my first marathon in 2004, I learned how important it is to have your name on your shirt somewhere. Spectators are fabulous human beings--and when they see your name and yell for you, it gives you a little extra spring in your step. On the back of my shirt, it begs the viewer to pretty please say "you can rest on the bus" to me. It may sound random {and maybe a little strange} to you, but these few words mean the world to me.

I ran cross country during all four years of high school and loved every minute of it. My parents were incredibly supportive of my running adventures, traveling all over Indiana to see me race. As a runner himself, my dad was notorious for running all over the course and cheering on our team. Just before every race, he always whispered these six words in my ear: "you can rest on the bus." It was his way of encouraging me to put every ounce of effort into my race because I really could rest on the bus ride home.

{Fast forward seven years to our wedding day} As we were turning to walk down the aisle, my dad whispered this little phrase in my ear. I knew exactly what he meant when he said it: he wanted me to soak in the day but also to remember what great adventures awaited {cv} and me as we started our life together.

This phrase has always been tattooed on my heart...and my dad always says it at just the right moment. Sadly, my parents are attending a wedding this weekend in Tennessee and couldn't make it to my race. Though it won't be exactly the same to hear strangers yell this catchphrase to me, you better believe it will give me a smile and the courage to keep on pushing.
---------
Today, I'm focusing on completion--and not my time--because of the hills which await me. The only thing I could ask for are your thoughts and prayers as I run on my robo-leg. I promise a full race run-down very soon! If you want more up-to-the minute info, I am @amv529 on instagram, so you can get a few glimpses of my sweaty self there. The Cape Cod Marathon is so small {think 1,300 runners compared to the 35,000 in DC!} that they don't have "text alerts", but I'll be sure to tweet when I finish. The best part about today? I know I can "rest on the bus" once I'm done.


P.S. Mom + Dad: I can feel you cheering all the way from the Midwest! Thank you for being a constant source of support--and for loving me to the moon and back. The same goes for {cv}: I know his face will be a shining light throughout the  entire race. I am so lucky to have him as my lifelong cheerleader! And to my friends who have put up with my crazy schedule for the past few months: I'll be back to normal soon! Love to you all :) 

17 comments:

  1. Best of Luck on the race Hun! And stay safe! :) Can't wait to hear about it.

    Alissa
    FeelingGoodFashion.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Best of luck today lady! You'll do amazing! But most importantly, have fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great source of motivation. Good luck today!

    ReplyDelete
  4. aw that story is so sweet! i am sure you will do great today and i can't wait to see pictures of your shirt, etc.

    http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. good luck today! I hope your knee holds up without any problems.

    ReplyDelete
  6. YAY. I know this wasn't the plan, but I'm so glad you are getting to run anyway. When I watched the end of the half yesterday, I thought of you - what a beautiful place to run! congrats on a huge accomplishment :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good luck running today, I hope everything goes according to plan! This is such a great accomplishment!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great post & lovely words on inspiration. They are so true!
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  9. what a sweet story! my dad and I have a similar thing about looking at the moon wherever we are because it will always be the same moon. it originated when i went away to summer camp for the first time! anyway, hope you did excellent today and were able to rest easy on the bus back home :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just did my first half marathon! It was tiring, but I was so proud when I finished!


    http://www.etsy.com/shop/OwlEyeVintage

    ReplyDelete
  11. WELL DONE!!!!! So proud of you special girl.
    Can't wait to hear all about it? x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, I found you from "Here & Now"'s blog link to your Friday Fancies. This post is so inspiring. My daughter just walked a marathon this weekend for the Avon Breast Cancer walk. I was working crew so I got to walk the last 2 miles with her. This was her first walk. OMG I am so proud of her. It was a wonderful experience to be part of the cheering squads to cheer the walkers on! My daughter said the people that dressed up and rode from rest stop to rest stop and cheered and did funny dancing, etc., really helped her "get through". I love your idea of creating a tee shirt to help the cheering section shout out something special to keep you going. And great idea to have your name on the tee shirt. This is a long comment to say...your blog is inspiring. I'll be back for more inspiration :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congratulations on such an amazing accomplishment! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. You killed it! Amazing. How much of a PR was that? And would you mind sending me info about where you got your tshirt made? I want to do that for my first marathon in Disney in January!

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is such a great idea! Your dad sounds wonderful, and full of wisdom. As a spectator of races, I'm happy to cheer for people. The fact that you gave them a specific phrase is so cute :) Congratulations!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello Every One Out Here
    I'm from United States North Bergen(US). I read some testimony about Dr. Iyaryi on how he has helped people in bringing back there ex within 48 hours i was just thinking if that was real,And decided to call a lady who made a testimony and also dropped her number,So i called her and ask her about Dr. Iyaryi she said Dr. Iyaryi is a trustworthy man and he his ready to bring back my lover for me,i was just so happy and a little bit relief that my lover will be back to me soon,Then i decided in contacting Dr. Iyaryi which i did,And before i could share him my problem he has already told me what i came for,And he said everything will be okay within 48 hours that my lover will be back to my arms,So he said he would be casting the spell and that within 48 hours my lover would call me,So i hoped so truly before the 48 hours i got a call from a man who has left me for the past 6 years saying he is sorry and he wants me back,i was happy and i said i also want him back,Then i traveled to Canada to meet him up,And he apologized for what he has done to me now he proposed to marry me and we are both preparing for our wedding soon,All thanks to the great and World best spell caster, Dr. Iyaryi His private mail driayaryi2012@hotmail.com you can also add Dr. Iyaryi on whatsApp +2349057915709

    ReplyDelete