In the "Spotlight" with Aeedah

Meet Aeedah for North Carolina! She's cute, she's fun, she's energetic and her smile will brighten up your day. Aeedah stepped out of her comfort zone and into the Half Fanatics marathon club!!!

A year ago had you asked me if I wanted to do a half marathon I just may have laughed and asked if you knew me? But clearly I did not know myself. My father started walking marathons a year ago. Within that year he approached my sister to see if they wanted to join him in his hobby. I was the last to be asked for this was so out of my element and something I did not think I had the ability to do.

My dad wanted me to complete a half marathon and was already signed up as my number one fan. The support and encouragement of my father and family was totally apparent. I agreed because this was going to be a great way to spend time with my family and travel. Little did I know what would happen next? I did my first half marathon in San Antonio in the fall of 2010. While at the start line I was still questioning what I was doing and if I had made the right decision to attempt such a feat. But, I had the complete support of my family who were standing beside me getting ready for their respective races. That support and encouragement gave me the confidence and assurance that I was indeed doing the right thing.

I was blessed to be able to have a pacer for my first race. My sister who had already run several full and half marathons walked with me to help me keep my pace and to ensure that I would finish within the 4-hour time limit. The energy of the crowd at the starting line was exciting and absolutely amazing and as everyone was ready to go and awaited the sound of the starting horn. And, then with a last surge of enthusiasm, we were off and the race was started.

Throughout the race I still questioned why I was out there waking the 13.1 miles of torture. I constantly thought about how many more miles I had to go. This was proving to be one of the greatest mental challenges that I had ever faced. The runners, the walkers, the crowd and the volunteers are all giving you words of encouragement and support while you are on the course.

Then you approach the finish line and the crowd is getting louder for you and you may even hear your name. You see the finish line and you want to get to it and across it. As I reached the finished line I was overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment and tears. I did it!!! I did it!!! I walked my first half marathon!!! I overcame my own self-doubt and have a medal to prove it.

This year I knew I wanted to walk another half marathon. I thought completing another half marathon over the course of the year would be another accomplishment. Little did I know that my goal of one half marathon was going to be eclipsed in a big way. I recently completed 2 half marathons within 16 days which made me eligible to join the Half Fanatics half marathon club. But, I was not done with the two half marathons and just recently added my third half marathon in 30 days to my incredible journey. And, I have three additional half scheduled for this year and my first full marathon is planned for the fall.

My humble advice to anyone questioning their ablility is simply this, take your first step and keep stepping until you get to the end. Attempting to complete a half marathon is challenge directed at yourself and reaching the finish line will give you an amazing sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction.

-Aeedah-