I wasn't last.

Bucket List 

I ran 26.2 miles. Let's be real, I ran 20 miles hit a wall and walked like a zombie for the last 6.2 but I finished. I wasn't last and I never even saw the sweepers! :)

I feel it is important to be honest and say that I didn't train properly in fact I spent more time putting together the music then I did running.  I wanted to have songs in the mix that represented the people in my lives to help me push forward. I have found that in my adventures I have managed to find some of the kindest souls. I wanted to honor that. Every Mile had a Memory.. I'll share a few...

Mile 1-  For Mae, my mother without her I wouldn't have made it in to this world. I miss her and I find myself doing more Mae mannerisms as I get older. I had set up the start to be Miles Davis - Autumn Leaves a song my mother loved however for some reason This Girl is on Fire by Alicia Keys began to play God always gives me what I need to see not what I think I need. If I ask for patience he will teach me patience. I can't think of a better way to start out...

"Oh, she got both feet on the ground

And she's burning it down

Oh, she got her head in the clouds

And she's not backing down"

Mile 3 - I felt something drop but couldn't figure out what it was and when you are running in the dark with 25,000 other people there is no time to wonder... you just keep moving forward. 

Mile 5  - Pam: I thought about you and I thought about the strength you have and how grounded you are with God.  I can't imagine a life without you in it and I LOVE the fact that even after I left Nashville you've made it a point to come see me (ever year) I also thought about bread pancakes and when you laugh so hard that you snort. I was rocking to ELTON and laughing as I approached main street.

Mile 6 - I stopped to jump in front of Cinderella's castle. Like my buddy Ali says "It would be rude not to." :o)

Both feet off the ground!

Mile 7 - Katie F. You tell me the truth even when I don't want to hear but I need to! You also make me laugh and there is no one with your brunch skills. Thank You for being a super hero in a sea of villains.

Mile 9 - That volunteer group that "fired" me, I ran a mile for you I dialed past your toxic negativity and I ran for you. I thanked God for the lessons and the blessings. I thank you for allowing me to see what I never want to become, to keep moving forward not backwards and to NEVER allow anyone to Bully me. Ain't nobody got time for that! :o)

Mile 11 - TEAM BULLDOG aka I love the fire, the energy and the love that I feel. The kindness is strong and I know if I ever need anything you all could get it done. Here's to Less Bullshit & More Dog shit! xoxo ps I could use a cupcake about now. lol

Mile 13 - I've run two 13 miles for 13 years races for Biggie. I always wear a grape soda Ellie Badge in his honor  It turns what I lost on mile 3 was my grape soda pin that I wear for Biggie. It was in that moment that I realized that this wasn't his race and he was letting me know that this was for me. This wasn't about him this was about me. I love you my big friend!

Mile 14 -  I knew I would need a strong memory to push me forward so for this mile I focused on Colleen this mile was for her it was the first mile past the mark of my comfort zone.  I have confidence from The Sound of Music which prompted Laughter and was just the push I needed. I ran strong!

It tells me all I trust I lead my heart to

All I trust becomes my own

I have confidence in confidence alone

(Oh help!)

Mile 15 - Ironically this mile was for Rachel who has helped me ditch the toxic unhealthy stuff that can often cloud my mind and I didn't even realize that I would be struggling here seeing that I had 11.2 miles to go. The Darkness creeps in and you doubt yourself. Anyone who has ever told you couldn't shows up. I just laughed at them and left them on the pavement.

Mile 17-  for my father who just turned 70 on the same day I turned 39. On the 17th of October. I picked Keith Urban - Song For Dad.

The older I get

The more I can see

How much he loved my mother and my brother and me

And he did the best that he could

And I only hope when I have my own family

That everyday I see

A little more of my father in me

He's in my eyes

My heart, my soul

My hands, my pride

And when I feel alone

And I think I can't go on

I hear him sayin' "Son you'll be alright

Everything's gonna be alright"

Yes it is

Mile 19 - I realized I needed to start walking soon the course was getting really tight and everyone was slowing down when I would try to run I would get stuck behind someone and I was honestly losing the will to pass and my fingers were staring to swell up... I'm sure music was playing but I seriously have no clue what or how I was still standing.

Mile 21 - CAKE - I will Survive hit my ears and I started crying... I knew I was going to finish and I just became overwhelmed with emotions. I don't remember much from here until Mile 25... I'm pretty sure someone else was driving my body in a forward motion at this point.

Mile 25 - At this point every part of my body was hurting but I was still smiling on the outside. Typical Angela. For some reason they put more cameras in this section which let's be honest this is not the place or the time you want photos of you taken. Seriously so it was the perfect time to throw out deuces to my haters. I started this for Murph who is my brother from another mother. We fight like brothers/sisters. He's the only person I will share a six foot table while working 18 hour days back to back in 100 degree amphitheaters settings. I was sitting next to him when I signed up for this race in Virginia Beach and when I said I signed up his response was. "yeah you did." He never doubts me and always trusts me to do what needs to get done. Truth.

Deuces to my Haters!

Mile 26 was for Nate and although I had told him to just go ahead and return the rental car and meet me at the hotel he was there at the finish line to help me walk to the car. Just like he was awake at 3:00AM to drop me off at the starting line. He's always there for me and he's not afraid to call me out on my crazy. I crossed the finish line listening to Ray LaMontagne - You are the best thing.

Baby, we've come a long way, babyYou know, I hope and I pray that you believe meWhen I say this love will never fade away

Oh because, you are the best thing!

Never doubt yourself if you think you can you will. 

6:40:32

Na'cho

Random Stranger's always ask me... "What's your dog's name?" I always reply with a giggle "Na'cho. He was a foster fail. My boyfriend kept saying. 'Have you met my dog' and I kept saying.. that's Na'cho Dog so he named him Na'cho and he is our dog."

Na'cho who entered our home as "Zeke" a name he never responded to. He was being fostered by the amazing Deb Douglas who noticed he wasn't getting enough puppy play time with his older foster siblings. So a post went out with a request of a home where he could get more play time in. One thing I LOVE about the passion of animal lovers is the constant awareness of what an animal needs. It's so great that animals that use to only know a small cage now have these beautiful voices to lift them up. but I'll save that for another blog post. Back to "Zeke" He was scheduled to be neutered and was dropped off at the go to vet for Bulldogs All Pet's. Nate and I would pick him up after his surgery. We told Miss Lexi we were going to retrieve her a buddy and we made the trek out to Lockport. On arrival we were greeted by the amazing staff who we knew well from weekly trips with Miss Lexi. We were placed in a room. Then in a flash a small chubby silly 11 month old Bulldog ran past the door and Nate looked at me in complete horror as if to say oh no not that one that can't be him... the vet tech rerouted him and in the room here ran wiggle butt shaking and straight into Nate's lap. I listened as the vet tech gave us the run down on his issues and things to keep and eye out for and off we went. First stop was Target this little guy needed something to chew on and was in need of some pamper wipes for his tush. I return from the store to Nate who's first words on my return "Have you met my dog Batman Octavius Ditka?" and my reply that's "Na'cho" dog.

I feel like Biggie sent in Na'cho to be the healer for Nate. You see three weeks after Biggie's passing Nate went through what I can only say is a living nightmare.  I can't actually tell you that story as it's not my story to tell. Na'cho gave Nate something to focus on. Na'cho had a Luxating patella. A condition in which the patella, or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. A successful but tough operation was done by Dr. Paul Navin at All Pets. Na'cho had the bone carved down and two medal pins placed to keep him together.  Two months after surgery Na'cho started physical therapy at Integrative Pet Care. Na'cho completed eight weeks of swimming, exercises, lasers, and chiro. He was a little machine. A few weeks after completing treatment one of his pins starting pushing out and after a visit with Dr. Navin he returned to have one pin removed.  He was actually so strong and active that the smaller of the pins was pushing itself out. Once that pin was removed it was if he had magically been transformed. I was on the road for a majority of this and Nate did a great job on seeing him through and getting him healed. 

Anyone who has met Na'cho knows what a sweet gentle soul he is. He's full of love. When my dad met him turned to me and said you know who would have ever thought you could find another dog that had just as big of a personality. 

Na'cho you know I wasn't ready for you but I am so glad you choose us.