November 2, 2013 – THE END

This is my very last blog about training and running my last half marathon.  The journey has ended.  This is the last stop.

My mom said the other day when one door closes another one opens…I usually have a plan for what that other door looks like and now there is no plan.  I feel like I am losing piece of my identity tomorrow, piece of that essence of “run carrie run”

So to old traditions that come to an end:

1. Being nervous all day today
2. Being super diligent about my carbs, salt and protein intake
3. Being super lazy and taking care of my legs
4. Laying out the “outfit”; no one is a race fashionista like I am
5. Having 2 glasses of wine night before even though I haven’t drank in a month (only pre and post nike race)
6. Waking up crack of dawn having quinoa, eggs and coffee and getting ready for 13.1 miles
7. Geeking out about my run list for the entire way
8. Loving texts and emails about how inspiring I am on the course

These things I will miss greatly, the runner’s high after a half marathon…So tomorrow will the end of an era, the end of long running career and I am truly sad.

I will enjoy the race tomorrow, all 13.1 miles of it…it will be the race of my life…My favorite run, Crissy Field, running over the GG Bridge all while Missy Elliot in the background will be singing “work it” followed by “remember the name” and the finale “don’t stop believing”… I will savor every moment of the race..

So this is my final blog about me training, about me running a half marathon…I know why I am doing it, I hope others truly appreciate why I am…It takes months to get ready and then it’s over in 2.75 hours…

I want to thank Suzie and Carolyne for putting up with my crying, my ups and downs all day…and I am waiting for one more text from John asking me what time the race starts tomorrow.

So how do I feel?  Excited, Sad, Empty, Clean, Blank Slate…

I hope all of you that were inspired keep on doing what you were inspired to do…I hope many others that Google  “Dystonia” read my blog and are inspired…

Many times, I am not at a loss for words, but today, right now in this moment I have tears streaming down my face…For those that knew I could thank you, for those that supported me thank you….I was 11 when I got struck with the disease called Dystonia that changed my life forever, but for all the scientists and all the people hard at work at Dystonia I became a living miracle…thank you…I lived many more lives than I thought I would….I want to keep on writing but I know this too has to end,,,so…

There are so many I want to thank, so many that ran the longest race with me called – Life…please keep on spreading my mission and  all that is left to say is Thanks and as in the words of Boyz to Men…

How do I say goodbye to what we had?
The good time that made us laugh
Outweigh the bad

I thought we’d get to see forever
But forever’s gone away
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday

I don’t know where this road is going to lead
All I know is where we’ve been
And what we’ve been through

If we get to see tomorrow
I hope it’s worth all the wait
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday

And I’ll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday

And I’ll take with me the memory
To be my sunshine after the rain
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday