There are only 5 days until the Little Rock Marathon. I feel a whirlwind of emotions. Nervous, anxious, happy, scared, pride…I could go on and on! Through some advise from other members of our local running club I am going to let go and let god take care of the things that are out of my control. I have trained hard and I am ready. I am going to go out there and enjoy every minute of the 26.2 miles. Well, maybe not enjoy, but I am going to take it all in! I will run with purpose. (1 Corinthians 9.26)
I have been reflecting on how I got to this point in my life.
In March 2010 I joined the Women Can Run Clinic. I have said it before and I will shout it again THIS CLINIC CHANGED MY LIFE! Women Run Arkansas
In April I ran my first 5k. I struggled through it! I was slow, tired, hot, and nauseas, I threw up. Not once… twice! But, I kept going and completed it! I think I was more proud that I didn’t stop then actually finishing the race. For a long time after that every race I did I threw up! I told myself it was because I was pushing so hard and it might have been that. It could have also been the humidity or my nutrition or shall I say lack of nutrition. That day my two leaders of the run clinic were there to run with me and cheer me to the finish line. They will never know how much they have influenced me!
The next year in the same clinic we were running a timed mile. I really really had to use the restroom and again thought I was going to puke. Almost the entire mile I was keeping pace with Trina Crumpton. I had no idea then that she would become one of my sole sisters! She encouraged me to keep going and our friendly competition to the finish line meant a lifetime of running memories!
The following year I was talking to a friend at the hospital I work at when a girl ease dropping on our conversation heard us talking about running. She said she was looking for a running partner and we lived in the same town! Score! We met that next week and Rebekah Gilbert has been another one of my sole sisters since that day!
We have now all three completed 4 half marathons and in 5 days a full marathon together! 
These girls have heard it all! I love them more than they know!
Our first half marathon was the Little Rock Half March 2012. Two weeks before I found out I was pregnant. I never thought twice about whether or not I should run it. * I did consult my physician who gave me the ok!
That day my family was there showing me so much support. They made me feel so special! They drove around to various locations along the path. I never knew where they would be. It was so wonderful to see their faces each and every time! My sole sister Trina and I ran the entire race together. When my back started hurting at mile 3 Trina said “No it’s not! Keep going” and I did! At mile 11 Trina was having foot pain. So, I said ” it’s fine, there is Kerri (Seigrist) she can’t beat us!” We finished together and we beat Kerri😉 That day I swore I’d never run a full marathon! Any runner knows to never say never! 
Along the way I have met some of the most inspiring men and women! Most of these people I do not only consider my friends, but family! These women inspire each other and have given me countless amounts of advise! Some of them do not even realize how much they have touched my life. A few of them know some of my most embarrassing moments (Missy Grande/sole sister) and with running there are many embarrassing moments!
br />
On Sunday when I gather with thousands of people we will not be there to just run a race. We will be there to test our strengths and push through our weaknesses. Each step I will remember all the people who have inspired me, trained with me, supported me, and I will especially remember those who we will run with again in heaven! I ask God to wrap his arms around all the runners, volunteers, and supporters on Sunday!
momwifetrainer 