I FINISHED!!!!

I will try to post some pictures later...but I finished my first 5K. What was my time? Let's just say by the time I finished I am thankful that the finish line was still up. No...it wasn't that bad...just not the time that I hoped for. I have to admit that for the first time...since I have been training...I walked. My coach, Ashley, was very reassuring and not to give up. I was a little overwhelmed at the beginning of the race. We had to walk a little bit before we even made it to the starting line. It was very crowded and hard at times to even find a place to run. I think I went out way to strong just trying to keep of with the mob.

Would I do it again? I am not sure. I enjoyed the training months much more than the race itself. I have to say that coming through the finish line was pretty cool. My family was cheering me on and I think I even passed a few people. In the beginning I tried to bribe a few runners if they would agree to come in behind me. HA HA. Half way through the race I even asked a policeman for directions to a short cut. It was a fun afternoon and I can now cross this off my list of things that I wanted to do in life. What's next? I'm not sure. I am always open so if you have any ideas...pass them on

WHY AM I RUNNING?

That's a question that I ask myself everytime I leave to run. I am training to run a 5K October 14th with my best friend Sandi. Oprah has Gayle...I have Sandi. She asked me to do this with her and I said yes without thinking. When I began...I could barely run 1 minute...now I am up to 24 minutes. Each time I leave to run, I ask God to give me feet with wings because I know there is no way I can do this on my own. Usually, in the middle of my run, I think about quitting. Who would know...I would...and of course God. So why do I do it?

1) I do it first and foremost for God. Everything I do... I need to bring glory to Him. It's a time that I spend in worship as I listen to praise music the entire time. There have even been times that I have ran a short distance with my hands stretched out to him. He energizes me.

2) I do it because it has taught me to be disciplined. I know I have to do this if I want to finish the race. You can't train for one day. Especially if you are as out of shape as I was.

3) I do it for all the women who have been and who will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Each time I think about quitting, I think about each woman, in the midst of her chemo and radiation, who wants to quit. I think of my mom who faced her cancer with grace and with determination. She didn't quit and neither will I. I am excited about running the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer run on October 14th. I am excited to run alongside women who are the most courageous and awesome women you will ever meet. I am excited to run in the midst of pink shirted women who's shirt symbolizes their survival of breast cancer.

I AM LOSING MY MOTIVATION

I am currently in my 6th week of training. I can run 13 minutes. I have also found that it is getting harder for me to feel motivated to run.

I saw this picture and it suddenly mad me feel motivated to run.

Enjoy

BACK FROM VACATION

We have returned from our beach vacation!!!For the first time in many years, I wasn't ready to return. I enjoyed the slower pace, the time with family and the beauty of the beach. I wasn't annoyed by the sand or the messiness of the ocean. It was a breathtaking view from our deck each morning!!!

I will post some pictures later.

I am happy to say that I was able to continue my 5K training at the beach. My personal trainer (Ashley) ran with me each night. I liked running with a running watch so I knew just exactly how much more was left on my run. Last night, Ashley was wearing her watch...so I ran with my cooking timer in my pocket. It worked. I don't know if that sounds really sad or resourceful. When the beeper went off...the only thing overheating was me.