These are the words of “wisdom” I give to my sister as she looks at me (white as a ghost) two Sundays ago as we were getting ready to run her first 1/2 marathon in Maui.

It was 3 a.m. and in my still sleepy head it was the only thing that made perfect sense, you just keep running and don’t stop until your finished. As my words came out her big green eyes looked at me eagerly searching for more as I finished braiding her hair. I smiled as I reminded her that she was going to be fine, she was healthy, strong and perfectly capable of running 13.1 miles no matter how long it would take or how bad it would suck. She nodded and gave me a half smile as my father in laws Tahoe pulled into our driveway.

It was 3:45 a.m. and Mark was right on time. I couldn’t believe he was willing to wake up so early on a Sunday to come hang out with Colt and watch us run. It was nice to know we would have both of them waiting for us (holding us accountable) at the finish line. As we drove the 45 minutes to Lahaina we talked excitingly and nervously about the half marathon. I was excited, it was my second time running the half in Maui so I knew the course and felt strong. I had faith in my training and I knew 13.1 would be mine. I was also stoked and ready to cheer my sister on as she completed such a huge goal for herself.

As we pulled into whalers village the butterfly’s & nervousness started to kick in. We still had a little more than an hour to get our bibs on, music ready and stretch but I knew all to well that once that happens time starts to fly. As we prepared it was nice to have Colt and Papa there to make us laugh and keep us distracted as the reality started to sink in; 13 point freaking 1 miles here we go.

Listening to Papa Bear’s “last words of advice” as he warmed us up…LOL

We lined up as the one minute count down began and I saw the anticipation in my sisters eyes as I asked her if she was okay, she half nodded to confirm she was. I can still feel her energy and the energy of all the other runners around me as I listened to the gun blaze and the clock started ticking….we were off.

The first mile in my opinion is always the toughest in any run. Colt & I always call it the “bob and weave” mile as you try to find your stride and pace amongst the other hundreds of runners beside you. I mentally prepared for the miles ahead as I tailed my sister who was cruising along. I remember thinking the pace felt fast but I figured our adrenaline was pumping and we would even out.

We cruised through Kāʻanapali and hit front street hard, I was feeling great and thinking “damn if we keep this up we will be done in no time” and then I saw her, my sister. She had been keeping the pace the whole time so I never even thought to ask if she was okay until it happened, she started puking. At first I thought there is no way she’s puking as I physically watched her start heaving which was immediately followed by my next thought of there’s no way she’s finishing, MILE 4 GAME OVER.

At that point I had to stop thinking like “runner Jenn” and start thinking like “sister Jenn.” I quickly transitioned as my head began to spin, what did she need, what would she do, what would I say? I had to be prepared, ready, encouraging for anything she needed or wanted and as the reality sunk in that we probably wouldn’t be finishing she started to run. It was as if moments ago she wasn’t even puking her guts out. I wasn’t joking when I said unless you puke, faint or die keep going. Puking counted (oh it totally counted) it meant you could stop and bail, you puked!! As I got back in my stride beside her I couldn’t help but laugh my sister just totally “puked and rallied ” what a a freaking bad ass. We made it another mile and a half just as her second round of puke came up with little to no warning. Another 1/2 mile and more puke. The third time was it, I knew we would not go on there was no way I would have kept running after throwing up three times but she grabbed some water cleaned her mouth and kept going.

The turn around point (6.55 miles) came quicker than anticipated and I was happy to see the excitement in my sisters face. Three pukes and 6.55 miles in there was no turning back. The next few miles we found a good stride and made up some time until mile 9 hit and so did my sisters wall. It was like slamming head on into a brick. Watching someone hit their wall is a very interesting thing. As a runner we have all been there, but when you’re not there what do you do? Do you encourage, do you push, do stay silent and try to respect that place? [It’s a fine line] so I did what I do best opted for “D” all of the above. I encouraged when I thought I should, I gave her space and silence when I saw she needed it and I pushed and pulled, yelled and screamed when she felt like giving up.

As we pushed through the last mile and neared the finish I began to feel the extreme excitement of accomplishment as I grabbed my sisters hand and sprinted for the finish. This was it, 13.1 was ours, she had done it, she was here, failure was never an option.

As I crossed the finish line with my sister in hand it was one of the happiest feelings of accomplishments I’ve had as a runner. My eyes swelled with tears as I heard the announcer say “…and here comes the sisters, Jessica Carvalho & Jennifer Stewart in pink…” SHE DID IT!

We did it, 2 hours and 39 minutes, 13.1 miles, puke, sweat and tears we did it, we were there, our first half marathon together DONE!

To say I am so proud of you Sis is a a major understatement because I am truly [still] beyond words! You are without a doubt a freaking rock-star!

Sister Team 2013