13.1

Still working on the arms. Okay."The Boy" throwing a tantrum as we take a Happy, celebratory family picture.
The Devich Family. Alyssa is used to those medals.
Tired Baby...missed her nap for this.

My Skinny partner just makes me look not so good.
13.1. That is the amount of miles I RAN on September 11, 2011 (who knew 10-years after the worst day we have ever seen in our country, I would TRY to be an athletic example for the futures of our country (my kids)). Now, I am not an athlete. 1 mile. I couldn't even run 1 mile 4-months ago. It all started during a conversation I was having with my Little Sister, Karen (THE Marathon runner of the family). The conversation can be summarized a bit like this:

Me: I am just fat.

Karen: No. Your not (because that is what everyone says to make me feel a little better)

Me: K- so anyway, I'm totally getting lipo in my stomach.

Karen: What? You're crazy!

Me: K- but, why do you care? You are skinny.

Karen: Because it's stupid. Are you planning on having anymore kids?

Me: Well at this point, the way I look, I couldn't get pregnant if I tried (totally being sarcastic- I am not planning on any addition anytime soon or ever, I SWEAR).

Karen: Well if you think you might, then that would just be stupid. How about this...Run with me. A mini marathon - its a half marathon

Me: What?!

Karen: 13.1 miles....

Me: Umkay....I'm just going to stop you right there. I don't run. I'm not a runner. Never have. Never cared to be. So thank you, but no thank you.

Karen: Listen, I guarantee you will LOSE the weight. If you don't lose the weight, then I will support you on Lipo- even though I don't want to-

Me: Right. Umkay...

Karen: If I can do it, so can you...

Me: Stop it!!! You are a runner. I am not.

Karen: I never ran before I trained for the Chicago.

Me: But your skinny

Karen: I challenge you. Just do it for the training. I PROMISE you will thank me

Me: (thinking- she's skinny) Can I walk?

Karen: You can if you have to- try to run as much as you can, do whatever you can. I have a training schedule (12 weeks) and we can run together- we will make it fun. Just do it for yourself. Forget that it is a marathon

***All I could do was look at Karen's flat abs, skinny butt, long legs, and I thought...well, I will try this....but, I am so going to walk it.

The day of the marathon, I did not walk. At all. We finished in 2:51. Not the best time. But, I finished. Completely trained religiously for 12-weeks...walk/run/run/walk, etc. And I finished. I was so proud!!! SO Proud to have a Little Sister to want to do this with me, believe in me, and love me enough to put up with my whining. We did it. I like running now. It is addicting. After the training, etc. it becomes a lot easier. I am not an athlete, but I did this. I lost some weight too...still losing.

I Love you Karen Jane. Thank you for believing in me!!!