Hendrickson Family: 2013

Hallie started basketball in October which overlapped with soccer for a few weeks. At first she was a bit unsure if she liked it, not sure if she even wanted to play but now... we can hardly pull her off the court. She got a basketball hoop for the backyard and she practices diligently even in the cold and rain. This week she was the top scorer with 18 points. Her coached teased her after the game and started to call her "Turtle." He said, "when I first started coaching you I wondered if you'd come out of your shell. You're out of your shell and I don't think I'll ever get you back in your shell!"

It's true. She was amazing. She is tall. She is strong. She is so fast. It was so fun to hear people in the stands talking about her. Asking us about her experience. What a happy day for Hallie. I couldn't have been more proud.

Yesterday, I completed my first marathon. It was quite an incredible experience. I never wanted to run a marathon or so I used to tell myself because I honestly am not sure I thought I was capable of a marathon. In April, Michelle Barker signed me up to run a marathon with her. I didn't really feel like I could get out of it and I figured what the heck. At this point our 5 mile morning runs became a little more serious. In June we finally got really serous about this whole marathon journey.

When I ran my first 15 mile run I felt so good and I was very excited about a fast, Boston qualifying marathon time. Then each week as the speed and hills got harder and longer I began to hate marathon training. I hated that I could hardly walk each Saturday. I hated that I was gaining weight (and not muscle weight... we're talking nursing mommy body fat in my tummy and arms and chest). I hated that I was tired. I hated that my blood pressure was so low sometimes I found myself on the couch eating green olives with a blanket over my eyes because my head hurt so bad. During the marathon training I had planned to run Hood to Coast and I did terrible. I felt like I would be a complete failure during the marathon. My head was obviously taking a tole on me. I doubted my ability to complete such a big undertaking.

One day I decided if I didn't change my attitude I really wouldn't be able to finish such a task. I decided that if the marathon was too hard for me to complete for myself I would do it for people who inspired me to run a marathon or who got me to this point. And so the list writing began. I spent a good week coming up with this list. I spent a great deal of time thinking about the good people in my life who have literally carried me through the good times and the hard times of this marathon training and other times in my life.

And so this list was comprised:

MILE 1 - Katie (ME) because YOU have to start some where.

MILE 2 - Nicole Wagner, because she taught me 2 believe and got me a bracelet to wear on race day that said "believe". Nicole was there at the race cheering for me, taking pictures of me, texting and talking to my family. What a huge blessing!

MILE 3 - Kim Puzey (Dad), because if I finished my marathon in the 3 hour time I would let him post it on Facebook... if not I wanted it to go unmentioned!

MILE 4 - my 4 beautiful daughters who teach me daily through their example that we are capable or doing hard things.

MILE 5 - Kristi Smith because she was with me the first time I ever ran more than 5 miles and she encouraged me the ENTIRE way!

MILE 6 - Michelle Barker because we run during the 5 and 6 o'clock hours each morning. She inspires me to get out of bed when it's dark and cold and RAINY! Michelle is an amazing competitor anda phenomenal athlete. Her ability to push through things is incredible. AND, if it wasn't for her I probably never would have done a marathon.

MILE 7 - Julie Puzey (Mom) because she drove 7 hours in the rain to come watch me finish this race. She is always there at all the cross roads in my life and one of my biggest cheerleaders in all I do. How did I ever get so lucky! (the thought of her at the finish line brought me to tears a few times on the marathon)!

MILE 8 - Tommy Puzey because when I gained 8 pounds during this journey he let me call and rant to him about it and he assured me it would all work out. He also gave me so much advice about how important a happy, smiling attitude can make a race so enjoyable for you and for others around you. THIS PROVED TO BE 100% TRUE. And let's not forget Tommy is training for an incredible race in 2 weeks in Hawaii. He is a phenomenal athlete and a HUGE inspiration to everyone who desires to do hard things.

MILE 9 - Aaron Puzey because I was 9 years old when Aaron was born. This mile was one of my favorites. I was feeling good and I spent the entire time thinking about Aaron. Aaron does hard things. I thought about him as a baby, as a child, as a young man and now was a real gentleman... a grown man! He is a real Superman in my life.

MILE 10 - Saturday Morning Running Group (Wayne, Anne, Mike B. Mike T. Michelle, Suzi, Kekoa, Gayle) because when you've got friends who will get up early on Saturday mornings and run 10+ miles with you week after week, after week you sure feel blessed. Not to mention the early morning texts and emails the morning of the big marathon.

MILE 11 - Kim Puzey (Dad). As an 11 year old we took a trip to NY together that I believe set the course of my life. Dad has been a part of some of the most spiritual parts of my life. I spent this mile thinking about those times. He called me the night before my race and told me he would be with me anytime I cried and he knew I would. He was right. There were times I was in great pain and I cried. There were times I felt great strength and I cried and there were times I literally felt carried by a greater power and I cried. Dad and I have cried a lot of tears together. This was a great reminder!

MILE 12 - Dallin Puzey (My DalBear) because I was 12 when Dallin was born. This was an awesome mile because the terrain was getting more difficult. I was pretty alone in the race at this point and I spent this time thinking about Dallin and how he has taught me to love so deeply. He has taught me through his example to keep on keeping on. He has taught me to never give up. And so during this difficult mile thoughts of my sweet baby brother kept me putting one foot in front of the other and I actually ended up with a decent 1/2 marathon split just after this mile (1:42)

MILE 13 - SheraLynn Murray because I have only run my 1/2 marathons in my life with her. In fact in our very first we crossed the finish line holding hands. In my life I look for her a lot to hold my hand and get me to the finish line.

MILE 14 - Starr Thompson because we have trained for a 1/2 marathon together. Starr is a great cheerleader. She and a few other dear friends were also running the 1/2 marathon on the marathon course on the same day and it was fun to think that as I was coming up on the 14 mile mark they were probably cooling down from their 1/2 marathon.

MILE 15 - Kim Cimmiyotti because I ran my first 5K with Kim shortly after Taylor was born and so began my "running career." Kim and I have been friends for 2 decades. I love her like a sister and my children love her like and Aunt. Mile 5 was a good time to think about Kim.

MILE 16 - Ashley Perkins because she runs marathons like it's no big thing. Mile 16 is when my body was getting tired and I just kept thinking of Ashley running marathon after marathon. She encourages the people around her to be healthy. Ashley is amazing in every way!

MILE 17 - Jen Puzey because she is Jen Puzey the Incredible. Jen is humble. Jen is SO strong. Jen is smart. Jen is kind. Jen has encouraged me so much for so many years with so many runs. It was a good time to think of her and the woman she is and the gift she is to Jake and to her children and to our family.

MILE 18 - Jake Puzey because he told me if I listened to him and did what he told me to do I would not hit a wall between mile 18 and 20. HE WAS RIGHT. Jake is always right. Through my entire life Jake has been right. Jake's ability to set his mind to something and accomplish it is amazing. Jake's mental capacity while running inspires me. He was my coach through this whole marathon training. He listened to me complain, question, get excited, feel discouraged. I am lucky he always has and continues to put up with me!

MILE 19 - Anna Landin because I always call Anna when I am about to hit a wall. We talk each other through so much. When I haven't talked to Anna in a day or two I miss her. Anna is a rock in my life. She talked to Nicole several times during the race and Nicole relayed messages to me from Anna. They gave me a renewed energy. Anna is who I hope to be someday.

MILE 20 - Julie Puzey because I always all her when I hit the wall. I don't know what in the world I would ever do without my momma! She is strong in every way. All through mile 20 I thought about things she does to be strong. She is immovable when it comes to keeping her covenants. She has taught her children to take chances. She has taught us to do hard things. She has taught us to expect hard things of ourselves. She expects us to do hard things and then she loves us and encourages us through it all. Sacrifice is something she understands very well and has given so much to me. I was strengthened knowing she'd be at the finish with me.

MILE 21- Taylor Hendrickson because she is my 1st daughter. Taylor is determined and by mile 21 I had to be determined to finish. I just kept saying over and over in my head, "we can do this Tay! We can do hard things!" Taylor is determined to make good choices and help those around her do the same thing. It was fun to think about her and the things she teaches me each and every day!

MILE 22 - Hallie Hendrickson because she is my 2nd daughter. Hallie does hard things quietly. She is humble. She is kind. She is patient. Hallie and I ran this mile together (in my head). I kept saying, "We've got this Hal!" Hallie is so good at literally and figuratively holding hands with people and making them feel loved. I was so excited to meet Hallie at the finish line.

MILE 23 - McKenzie Hendrickson because she is my 3rd daughter. McKenzie has taught me to slow down and enjoy life. I had naturally slowed down by mile 23 but I tried very hard to run as if I was with Kenzie and notice the things she would notice (the big leaves, the small leaves, the slugs, the moss covered branches, the slippery bridges, the bright colored tank top worn by the girl in front of me.)

MILE 24 - Evelyn Hendrickson because she is my 4th daughter. Evelyn is a fighter. She fought to stay alive while I was pregnant with her. She makes me run faster than I have the strength sometimes because she is so intense and determined and so mile 24 I fought and I ran faster than I had the strength and I smiled thinking about how beautiful my life is because Evelyn is in it!

MILE 25 - Rendell Hendrickson because I can't wait to see him at the finish line. While he won't say much I know this finish line means a lot of sacrifice on his part. Rendell helps me finish all the crazy things I think up. He is a strength and help in all I do. He encourages me to spread my wings and FLY and I am so thankful for him.

MILE 26 - (those last .2 have to go to someone) and so I gave them back to me so I would remember that I can do hard things for myself too!

So when I woke up and it was pouring rain the morning of the marathon I was strengthened by the phone calls, texts, FB posts and everything else but also by this list I would have with me.

During the race I felt GREAT most of the time and when I didn't I thought of these good people and the bad feelings went away. I literally felt carried by angels for large parts of the race.

Thank you, thank you, thank you my earthly angels for literally being with me one step at a time on this journey! When I reached the finish line I was overcome with gratitude for each of you. AND of course I cried some more!

AND here I am at mile 26 with my "I am like a Star" face that Tommy told me to wear the entire race. It felt good to smile after 26 miles and almost 4 hours of running!