This is my first post on my new blog :) I've been blogging on MySpace for a while, but I figure it's time to move on to bigger and better things (that aren't going to randomly delete my posts lol). I'm never sure where to start, so I figure I'll just begin with a little background...
I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon in a lovely little neighborhood called Felony Flats. I married my high school sweetheart on January 20, 2001 (yes, the day Bush took office lol). Chris decided he needed some major changes in life and he went to bootcamp October 2002. That spring we moved to Camp Lejeune, NC.
Because of the Marine Corps, I realized how much of my life I was sacrificing to fear and doubt. I was constantly telling myself this was impossible and I could never do that. I'd never be able to survive the 13 weeks of bootcamp without Chris. I'd never be able to move across the country. I'd never be able to live by myself. We'd never be out of debt. Running 3 miles is impossible.
Near the end of not only surviving but thriving during our first 8 month deployment, I looked at all the so-called impossible things I've done and entered an 8k. I finished that first mud run, then signed up for a 10k. When I finished that 10k, a flyer for a half marathon arrived in the mail. Everyone said that it was too long. I couldn't do it, I'll get hurt, it's impossible. And I agreed. I didn't sign up. Shortly after, I saw people wearing these beautiful blue long sleeved shirts from the race. I wanted one of those shirts and I realized that I didn't even try. I gave up on myself once again.
That New Years eve I vowed to do the most impossible thing I could think of: a full marathon. Long story short, that year I finished the 2005 Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon then the 2006 Disney World Marathon.
Last weekend I finished my first sprint triathlon. And I'm already making plans for an Olympic distance in August. Next month I have my 5th and 6th marathons. I eventually want to become an Ironman. I'm hoping this spring to climb Mt Hood. Chris is trying to talk me into going sky diving with him and I'm trying to talk him into going white water rafting with me.
I'm also working to check off another impossibility: college. The biggest regret I have in life is letting depression keep me from finishing my degree at the University of Oregon. I've made the difficult decision to return to UO while Chris is attending Oregon State. I don't expect anyone else to fully understand or accept my life, but just know that doing this is allowing me to forgive myself and move on into motherhood as a more complete, fulfilled person.
We're trying for our first baby this summer. After our graduation in the spring of 2009, Chris will commission as a second lieutenant and we'll be off to Quantico, Virginia. After Chris completes his training, we're hoping to be stationed in Okinawa, Japan or Hawaii.
I'm still scared and constantly questioning myself. But I try to fight the good fight. Some days I win, some days I lose. Welcome to my journey :)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Welcome to my journey
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2 comments:
Awesome new location - I used to blog here, I think Jasper still uses his blogspot acct (bad wife, I need to read his blogs!).
You are inspirational - good luck with the marathons & tri's. And who knows, if all the plans come together maybe we'll be neighbors. Okinawa & HI are both high on the list for when we leave here (right behind Germany which is a long shot).
just popped over from the completerunning.com post about new blogs. you're a duck! yay! the duck/beaver rivalry in your house must make for loads of fun.
former marine here, too. stationed in camp lejeune for my four years. i was enlisted, but spent a good deal of time in quantico on training.
virginia will be a change from oregon or from n. carolina, but, if you take it as a challenge like the other ones you've tackled, you'll find the details may be different, but they're all essentially the same thing.
good luck, and best wishes to chris. semper fi!
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