"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start,
anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." ~ Anonymous

Monday, April 5, 2010

I Finished The Run


This past Saturday was my first 5K race.

It was a beautiful day to run, with normal winds and not the howling blowing winds that brought in our rain storm on Friday. Whew! I felt much better about jogging once that storm passed.

However, I was still nervous all morning and kept myself busy with Easter dinner preparations. I kept telling myself that I was just going to workout in the afternoon, hoping to trick my nerves out of thinking about the race. That only kind of helped. Then I made some calls to my mom and then one my close friends just before the race to talk off some nervous energy. My husband had to study for an exam, but he met me and the kids at the race site.


Everyone took off and I found out pretty much in the first yards that I was going to be the last one. Step by step people passed me until I was jogging alone This thought was a little sad to me, but then I reminded myself that I was working on my own goals and not competing. (I found out later there were a few people walking it behind me.)

After that I just kept placing one foot in front of the other. I thought about my brother who is not well right now and thanked the Lord I was healthy enough to jog. I thought about how the road had a few hills in it and though I was bummed for the inclines I would just keep going. I did even wonder for a minute why the heck I was doing this? Then I reminded myself that I've run the distance before and I knew I could finish. :)

There was only one portion that was difficult and it was a slight incline on my way back to the finish line. But I would find things along the way to be little mini goals. "Just to the fence post. Okay, now get to the next cone. "

Suddenly off in the distance I saw this guy standing there at the last turn back to the finish line. It was my husband! I just grinned at him and passed him heading back towards the finish.
Upon reaching the finish line people were clapping and "Woo Hoo'ing' and it made me feel so good to know that I had finished it. I grinned real big and after crossing the line (and hearing the 'beep!' of my timing chip) I just cried for a few seconds.

My son asked,"Are you happy or sad?" I told him it was a happy cry that I finished. My family was very supportive of me and I felt wonderful knowing I had accomplished this great goal in my weight loss journey.

I finished it jogging the entire time, and my official time was 43:44.

My goal was to try and jog it in 45 minutes, so I came in under my goal by just over a minute. That made me very happy. Though, I'm sure the guy chuckled when at the halfway mark he says, "22 minutes" and I replied in a rasping voice, "Perfect!" .

Of course, there were many that got in faster than me, but a handful them all stopped and walked for portions. So, I was very content that though my time was slow I jogged the entire distance without stopping.

Yes, it was perfect -- an afternoon event I won't soon forget. :)

14 comments:

  1. Congrats on completing the 5K Leah! That's great work. I think it's great that you jogged the entire thing, I know I would have walked some! Way to go girl!!

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  2. Way to go!!! It brought tears to my eyes when you wrote that you could see your husband...that support must mean so much to you!!!

    Congratulations!!!

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  3. Hooray! I am so proud of and happy for you, Leah! You are such an inspiration to me. I appreciate you sharing your experience and thought process with us.

    On another note, I noticed you won Trisha's kettleworx give away. Awesome! I am so jealous! I can't wait to hear all about it from you.

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  4. congrats to you! you rock!!

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  5. I'm so proud of you Leah! You did it and I bet six months ago you never would have thought it possible. There is nothing stopping you now!

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  6. That is amazing, #12! You really hung in there with the mini visuals at the end. A tough goal achieved by a tough gal. BRAVO!!!

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  7. Yay!!!! The first of many races to come! That is an accomplishment for sure - bask in the glow :D

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  8. You have my in tears. I can only imagine the feeling of triumph as you crossed the finish. I'm so proud of you! (and, yes, only compare yourself to yourself...way to go!)

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  9. Congratulations to you Leah! This is nothing short of awesome!

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  10. Thats fantastic, you must be so proud. congrats! :D

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  11. Way to go!! You are doing amazing things :) What a great role model too!! Have a great week!

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  12. I would love to follow your family blog too, will you send me a link please!

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  13. CONGRATULATIONS! That is wonderful! I got teary eyed reading this - you are such an inspiration! Keep it up - nothing is going to stop you!

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  14. Every time I jog on the treadmill, I daydream of the day you just had ... running a 5K and finishing. You must be so proud. Keep it up because you're such an inspiration.

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