I’m thrilled to participate in a sweepstakes sponsored by Investigation Discovery’s new series Surviving Evil, which premieres Wednesday August 28th at 10/9c only on Investigation Discovery
Distance running is not something that comes easy for me. Volleyball, yes. Basketball, yes. Running anything over 200 meters….negative. This fact is interesting considering that I have to date run two full marathons and nineteen half marathons, with many more on my race schedule. How did it all happen? 
I did something courageous. I took a leap of faith and dove head first into an unknown world to me. I was scared. I didn’t know if I could do it. I was afraid to fail, and was afraid of what others would think if I did. Regardless, I decided to take my chances and attempt to overcome the odds that were stacked against me. I WOULD become a distance runner. Let’s take a trip down memory lane. It all started when I was visiting with some friends in Florida and spectated them running the Walt Disney World marathon in 2009. A friend and I staked out a spot in front of Hollywood studios to watch the race…no particular reason for this spot. Keep in mind I was NOT a runner at this point! We waited for our friends to pass. The place we were standing was around mile 24. As all of the people passed by, and as I watched everyone cheering them on, all of the sudden I got really really emotional. I thought of the hard work and dedication these people had put into their training for this race. I didn’t know them, but I was so proud of them as they all passed me by. I cheered my little heart out, and decided I COULD do this, I HAD to do this! I vowed I would be back to run the next year.
Fast forward to January 2010. My husband and I ran the half marathon in Disney World, our very first. I felt so accomplished as I crossed that finish line hand in hand with my husband. We had done something I never thought possible, but we had not yet reached our goal. What? That’s right. My goal was the Disney full marathon. 
Fast Forward to January 2011. It was a tough training cycle. I was struggling with an IT band injury, and Bobby and I were not even living together because he took a new job and we had not yet found a house. It was tough training basically on my own, and I was under a lot of emotional stress. But, we made it to Disney! This race was amazing and will forever be one of the best memories of my life. We had SO MUCH FUN with the race, stopping and taking pictures with every character, goofing off and enjoying the time together. I remember very distinctly when I ran by the spot I stood two years earlier, my “inspiration curve” outside of Hollywood studios. I got really choked up remembering where it all began. I could not believe I was about to accomplish my goal, and finish the race. Crossing the finish line was amazing, I had done it. Two years later, I accomplished what I had set out to do, what I didn’t even think I could do, and it felt wonderful. I beat the odds with courage, and a huge smile on my face. 
Investigation Discovery’s new series Surviving Evil is all about beating the odds too. But the stories in the show are told by people who faced real evil when they fought back against their attackers, and survived.
Want to win a $500 spa finder giftcard? Share with us: What is an obstacle or fear that you’ve been able to overcome?
This sweepstakes is sponsored by Investigation Discovery’s new series Surviving Evil, premiering Wednesday, August 28 at 10/9c. Told in their own words, victims reveal how they fought their attackers and survived against amazing odds. Learn more at InvestigationDiscovery.com/SurvivingEvil and empower yourself with five life-saving tips at IDFiveToSurvive.com.
Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: 1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post 2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post 3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post 4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 8/14/13-8/28/13. Be sure to visit the Investigation Discovery: Surviving Evil brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ true stories of courage and survival and find more chances to win.
I had the same emotional experience while cheering at mile 12 for the Princess Half in 2012. It’s been a bumpy road since then, but I am not ready to give up. That day, those runners, and those walkers changed my life.
I, too, defied the odds by running. My goal was to run a Disney half. I’m still to scared to attempt the full. However, I’m not the slightest bit athletic and I’m overweight. So where running is hard for you, it should be impossible for me. The first day I trained almost 2 years ago, I only could manage 10 minutes and all but 30 seconds of it was walking. I still can’t run the whole thing but I run more than I walk. I’ve finished 2 halfs including Princess, the Tower of Terror 10 miler, and I have 3 halfs planned for thus fall, including Wine and Dine. More importantly, I’ve inspired friends to get moving and 2 are doing their first half with me in December. A year ago I would have said that would have been impossible, too. So I’ve defied the odds and am saving myself from the evil of my old sedentary lifestyle.
As someone who has never been involved in anything athletic at all (no sports, dance, etc.) I am extremely proud of myself for running 4-5 days a week this summer (in the Florida heat no less!) and for blindly taking a leap of faith and signing up for the Princess Half in Feb. I am in the midst of overcoming my fear!
I always love your “inspiration curve”, it must be so cool to have a place that reminds you of what started it all!
As much as running has been a major challenge/ accomplishment for me, I think my biggest fear was leaving my full time job to go back to school for a major career change. One year later it’s going great and I’m so glad I did it even though I still have 4 more years!
I’ve worked to overcome my fear of failure. Sometimes it’s hard for me to try new things because I’m afraid that I suck at them–but I’ve found those can be some of the most enjoyable experiences!
It’s weird to say anything I’ve done was “surviving evil.” The toughest thing was graduating in 2008 with very little hope for a job and student loans. Living at home and working temporary part time jobs was at worst unpleasant, but life goes on and eventually I found something.But running has helped me channel my (oftentimes nervous) energy into something productive and healthy when things otherwise looked bleak and distinctly unpleasant.
just has to be a challenge or fear you overcame doesn’t have to have anything to do with evil 🙂
Running my first half marathon was the most terrifying experience. Even though I had trained with Team in Training, up until the day of the race I had never completed a 13.1 mile run (we trained only up to 12 miles). I was scared that I would not be able to finish, worried what my supporters who had made donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society would think and I was terrified of letting everyone down. Crossing the finish line was AMAZING and confirmed the fact that I was stronger than I realized!
I overcame my fear of organized sports – I was always the kid picked last – and took up rugby for about 3-4 years. I wasn’t great, but I learned a lot, made great friends, and did okay.
Recently, I’ve overcome a broken hip. After training for my first half marathon, I started having pain 2 weeks before the half. I thought it was just tight hip flexors and pushed on….ran the half (actually RAN the entire 13.1!) and then went to Disney for a week with my family. Once back home, I went to the dr. It took 4.5 months on crutches and non weight bearing, but I got the final MRI last week and news that it was clear and I’m HEALED! I cannot wait to run again!
Like others, I too have overcome my fear of running. Five months ago, I wouldn’t have even thought about it, but after being inspired by my husband’s finishing of the Disney World Marathon this past January, I started running in March with the goal of running my first half marathon this coming January at Disney World. My pace isn’t great, and most of the time I have to use the run-walk method in order to not exhaust myself too quickly. Since I danced throughout my childhood and college years, there’s always been the expectation that I would never run since “dancers don’t run.” However, I’m doing it and I cannot wait to further “defy the odds” and further prove that I can do anything that I put my mind to.
Running is actually a fear I have been able to overcome. I went from being afraid to run outside where ppl could see me to joining running groups, track meets (with people much faster than myself), races, relays etc.
I have also overcome a fear of running. My husband was a runner in high school and has always tried to get me to run with him. It usually ended in me coming home mad at him for trying to push me when “I can’t run that far! That stop sign is too far! We need to slow down!”. I wanted to, but I just told myself that I couldn’t and left it at that. One day while I was on Pinterest, I stumbled across your blog. It was the recap of your Princess Half (a pic of the Belle costume is what caught my eye, she’s my favorite!). I can’t remember what it said verbatim, but at the very end of the recap there was a paragraph that jumped out at me. It was a very strong message that hit me: YOU can do this, don’t wait, if this is your goal then sign up for the next Princess Half! It was so inspiring that I started on the C25k program in January, have since completed a few 5ks with my family, and I’m now training for my first half, which will be next month. AND- I did sign up for the 2014 Princess Half! I have come farther than I EVER imagined that I would and it’s been an unbelievable journey that’s taught me that I’m more capable than I give myself credit for, and to always keep pushing forward.
I was at a youth retreat teaching kids on fear… & then we had to do something I NEVER wanted to do… climb a tree in a harness & do a team building exercise on ropes about 4 stories tall… it was terrifying… but I just told these kids that God is with us no matter what & he reminds us to not fear… so up that ladder I went onto this flimsy rope & did the exercise… most amazing experience of my life…
Four years ago, I was hospitalized for 4 weeks with an eating disorder, on the verge of death. Since then, I have made a full recovery, and I thank running for that. It inspires me to do and be the best me possible!
I am a domestic abuse survivor. That’s what I have overcome, the feelings of powerlessness, worthlessness, weakness and fear.
You are amazing. I usually do not comment but you are always inspiring me. Today is no different. I have never considered myself a full time runner even though I run half marathons. I consider myself a finisher. Thanks for being a inspration to us all.
This may sound very silly, but I overcame my fear of having children and now have the sweetest little 2-year old daughter. I guess I was afraid of not only the pain but also my life changing and not getting to do whatever I wanted. I prayed about it for a long time and knew I was meant to be a mother. It was the best decision I ever made!
I tweeted – https://twitter.com/RunSweetPotato/status/367675025794412544
Almost immediately after the horrific event in 1989, I knew the most important priority in defeating my attacker was to survive and THRIVE. I headed to the police and the hospital with that agenda. I was married and started a family without him haunting me. Not suppressed, but with the full knowledge that I had something better to do and I would not let him waste a day of my life. And now, having this strength that continued to prevail through a recurring hip injury, I run for the sheer joy & celebration of the fact that I CAN.
A fear that I overcame recently has been swimming half a mile. It seems silly, but I never learned how to swim until recently. Last second I signed up for a sprint tri and had a month to learn. With the help of doggy paddles and who knows what else, I made it through the half mile. I always almost last, but I didn’t drown or DQ!
A few years ago I got really sick, at first no one believed me that something was wrong. Finally the symptoms got bad enough that I ended up in the hospital. At the ripe age of 21 I found myself hanging on for dear life, and not knowing why. After spending weeks in the hospital, being heavily medicated, and 4 surgeries later, I was on the mend. They didn’t find out until a few weeks after I was discharged that I had a very rare deadly bacterial infection that should have killed me. I had to fight my way back to being a normal person, gain the weight back I had lost, re-learn how to do day to day things that were now a struggle. I woke up a few months later on my 22 birthday and told my mom “I’m just glad I made it here”. I spent a long time afraid of not waking up, afraid of some random illness getting me again (to this day still don’t know where I got it). My weight rebounded a little too far, and I started running to lose that extra few pounds. I had always been a runner but this took it to a new level. Since that point (4 years ago), I have run 13 half marathons, 5 marathons, a 70.3 tri, and many other races…each time pushing myself more and proving to myself I can fight anything that comes my way.
I am currently working with a Dr. to help with my anxiety attacks! Running has been my therapy but I need a little something extra.
I posted on twitter about the giveaway.
http://twitter.com/knittingmamaof2/status/367749438267088896
I’m a huge introvert and have such social anxiety. When I started running, my goal intially was just to run a 5K with a group from my workplace. I got hurt the week before so I couldn’t run that particular race, and my first 5K ended up being one that I did by myself.
Standing around, waiting for the race to start, I teared up on more than one occasion. I was so afraid of running by myself, of coming in last, of not finishing the race. Right before the start though, some random girl started chatting with me about how it was her first 5K too and had a laugh or two over our nerves and I’ve never been afraid since. I’ve since completed 5 different 5K races, plus 2 obstacle course races this year, all run by myself with no team or anyone to do it with me. That’s a huge fear that I’ve overcome (and admittedly still work at overcoming sometimes).
I was always the last person to finish running the mile in school. I discovered about a year ago that I actually love running, and am doing my first half in 3 weeks.
One of my biggest fears that I had to overcome was open water swimming. I’ve never been the strongest swimmer, but doing my first triathlon that involved swimming in a lake was a big accomplishment!
I tweeted your giveaway
I had some major health issues when I was first married. By the grace of God, they’re under control.
I overcame an injury and was super sick for my first half (Princess of this year). I was a new runner of only 5 months when I did it and managed a 3:04 time which I am hoping to blow out of the water next year! I am also currently going over an obstacle that I know I will make over and be a stronger person than I was before! My husband is currently deployed, I have moved on my own, I take care of our 2 young kids, I have a chronic autoimmune disorder that I battle with mentally, and I am running over 60 miles a month training for the numerous races I have this upcoming race season. Most of my runs happen on the treadmill at night after I put the kids to bed. Dedication!!!! I also just started blogging in hopes to be a rock star blogger like you one day. 🙂
My hubby and I struggled with infertility for years. We overcame it and now have 3 wonderful kids!
Bravo! What an amazing story. I totally admired your effort and will power. I’m not a runner myself so I know how hard it is to run those long distance course.
The obstacle or fear that I always have was giving birth. I guess I heard too many “horror” stories from my mom so I decided I’m not going to have any kids since I was young. I always imagine I would adopt if I ever get married. LOL…. Now, I’m a proud mother of two beautiful angels. Isn’t love powerful and amazing?
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/368269213493780480
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I blogged about my own “defying the odds” experience.
http://dancingtorunning.com/2013/08/16/five-months-and-counting/
i overcame the fears our culture gives women about childbirth and had a homebirth
pryfamily5@gmail.com
tweeted
https://twitter.com/pryfamily5/status/368445596719271937
pryfamily5@gmail.com
i deal with my dad death in 07 it was hard and he was sick most of my life i miss him every day
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/371379219101532160
Getting over my horrible shyness was a big obstacle.
I’ve overcome speaking in front of people. It has always really scared me. I still struggle with it from time to time but I work on it
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/372751395394289664
I was always scared to fly but I forced myself to get over because I was missing out on to much fun.
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/372815923045867520
I have overcome the fear of escalators. I was terrified of them as a child!
runningmatey at Hotmail dot com