We Can Do Hard Things
That is a family motto of ours. Jason and I did a really hard, yet fun thing this past Saturday night. We ran a half marathon, on a trail, in the dark. 🙂
Jason and Christa at the start of our race, before the sun went down.
The race started off at dusk and we were required to run with headlamps so we could see our way once the sun went down. I had been having a particularly rough day and wasn’t quite in the mood for such a stroll, but I was determined to see it through. After all, this race was a goal of ours, and if you know me, I like to set pretty high expectations for myself.
How the Online Community Saved My Run
I had shared the above picture on Instagram just before the start of the race. A couple of miles in I wasn’t feeling so hot, and was entertaining the thought of giving up right then and there. I took a walking break, checked my phone and had this nice outpouring of love and support from my IG followers, cheering me on. It was just the support I needed to keep going and to not quit!
View of Las Vegas at night, as seen from my run.
Then, about 4 miles away from the finish, I hit another wall. It was fairly dark at this time, but man, I got a beautiful view of the city lights off in the distance!
I usually like to listen to audio books or podcasts while I run to help distract me. I was listening the latest episode of Modern Sewciety (which had been broadcast earlier) when all of a sudden, Stephanie the host gives a little shout out to me during the show! I couldn’t believe it! Little did she know that was like an extra spring in my step at just the right time. 🙂
Date Night
Jason and I train together, but when we run races, we go at our own pace. He was able to finish his run, and then he came back for me and ran me in to the finish. He’s not a competitive person with running (like I am with quilting), but he ended up finishing in 2nd place!
Our medals from the race.
Another one of our family mottos is “Work Hard – Play Hard.” We have a lot of hard but good things coming up in the next year or so, mainly due to some intense goals I’ve set for myself.
The next time things get tough, or I feel like giving up on my dreams, I’ll just remember back to this night, and how I was able to make it through with the support of so many of you!
Christa Quilts 
Such a sweet post! I am so happy for you! Thank you for the reminder to all of us – not to give up on ourselves. I feel like setting high goals is something that quilting is all about! Making seeing a quilt to completion still seems like a daunting task for me as a beginner. We can do it! You are awesome!!
Congratulations on your race Christa! You can’t beat the feeling you get once you’ve accomplished something so difficult! 🙂 Thank you for the inspiration, and congrats to your husband as well! 🙂
Christa, you inspire me in so many ways! Good for you! I’m so happy for you!
Great mottos, Christa! And great job : ) I’m more in the C25K tier of running myself, and I still need a lot of motivation to finish – I can’t imagine pulling out enough stops to do a half marathon – go you!
Wow running in the dark ! Is this because Vegas only comes alive at night ?! I was there last Xmas and I loved it ! Anyway congrats on another achievement 🙂
Well done. A half marathon, in the dark no less, is a fabulous achievement.
Congratulations! That is our family motto too. I hope it continues to help you achieve all your goals. 🙂
Way to go to both of you!
Congratulations on finishing, Christa! I can’t even imagine running that far! 🙂
Awesome! one step at a time and before you know it, you’re at the finish!
good for finishing your run. having friends to cheer us on is really what we need sometimes. so glad this happened for you.
Very cool! Glad for the support you received and impressed with your accomplishment!
What a wonderful man Jason is. He’s a keeper. Really good to read this inspiring blog Christa. Moments in time are precious and keep us going when we just need that boost. Thanks foe sharing, and the visual was great.
High fives to you, Christa, and to your caring husband, too! I am an Avon Walker and know how important the cheering is to help us along the way. How incredibly neat it must have been to hear that shout out on the Modern Sewciety podcast while running!
Not only do I enjoy your sharing of quilting knowledge, but these personal challenges you conquer. Very inspiring, Bravo to you!
🙂
Congratulations on your finish!! I can’t imagine running that far – you are amazing!! It is really awesome that you get to run with your hubby 🙂 Amazing how we are given support and encouragement when we least expect it and from the most amazing sources! Considering where you live, I can totally see why you ran this race at night!!!!! Keep the bar high, shoot for the moon and even if you miss, you’ll be among the stars!
Congrats, Christa, on yet another achievement. You are so inspiring!
That is a great story. Support and love comes as a surprise when we need it. Thanks for sharing this story.
Good for you! I am so glad you finished and what an interesting event. Your guy is lovely to come back to finish with you!
I love your family mottos–we need some of those! A few years ago we set to make a family business plan, or statement, but I think it is still unfinished and possibly lost in the move. You look great in that photo! I am so impressed you ran a half marathon! A night run sounds really neat, but I bet you’re even more alone with your thoughts with even less to look at. You overcame it though! Great job sticking it out!
Well Done!!! Congrats to both of you!
Oh my word, well done to you both. Love reading your blogs. An admirer from South Africa!
Congrats to you on finishing a half Marathon and to Jason for a second place and for coming keep you company and give some encouragement to you on the run. Very Nice Story.
Impressive! Well done to both of you! Super achievement!
It is is important to have goals. The ultimate outcome may be so different to one’s dream, which is why it is so exciting to take on new challenges, who knows what one may find! Well done to you both.
Two of the many things I like and admire about you is your determination and your joie de vivre…congratulations (& to Jason as well!)!!!
Oh well done Christa. This inspiring post brought a few tears to my eyes!