15K Conquered!!

Today was about the most challenging physical activity of my life. At least in childbirth you get drugs! Let me start by saying I respect anyone who can run/walk Percy Warner Park. If felt like I was climbing Mt. Everest. Dude!! And there wasn't just one hill--I lost count b/c there were so many. The scenery was beautiful--minus the mosquitoes--but I will never do that course again, as God is my witness (in my Scarlet O'Hara voice).

Let me back up. Today I completed the ALKALI-Project Athena 15K at Percy Warner Park. This is in preparation for the half-marathon on Sept 25th (for anyone who doesn't already know this). I arrived at about 6:30am and immediately felt alone and out of place. I found a secluded area and did some warm-up and stretching and retied my shoes. No one else out there looked like me--my size or my hue. My stomach was a ball of nerves, or maybe it was my bladder. While in line for the port-o-potty (one word: YUCK) I met Rebbecca. She was also alone and she was a walker/jogger. We talked for a minute and she said, "now neither one of us is alone."

At the start everyone ran, except me. When everyone passed me I panicked and started running too--which is a no-no. That lasted for a hot second then it was back to my walking pace. Mile 1 seemed to take forever and I was a little discouraged b/c my clock said 7:27, but then I remembered that we didn't start exactly at 7am. At mile 2 my clock said 7:43. That marker also served as the 5 mile marker and two runners passed me. The lady said "Good job" to me and before I knew it I was crying. I just wanted to raise my hand and say "I quit. Just let me go home and eat some collard greens and dressing." And that's when I saw my buddy from the port-o-potty line. She was about a 1/4 mile ahead of me. All of a sudden I felt like maybe I could do this. I kept her in my sights--seeing her ahead of me kept me moving.

Around the 4th mile I caught up to her and we chatted. At mile 5 she was ahead of me again but mid-way through I passed her. From that point on I stayed ahead--even when I wanted to stop. I know now why they say on races stick with those who are about the same pace or a little better than you. These people keep you motivated but realistic.

The 6th and 7th miles were by far the most arduous. I felt like my lungs were going to give out on me. Once I passed mile marker 8 my body started aching so I stretched a little and kept going. When I saw the marker for mile 9 I started crying. I couldn't believe it. My longest distance to date has been 6 miles. I went into this not sure if my body could take it.

Victory was so sweet. I wasn't first (wasn't last either) but I finished and have the medal and photo to prove it.

To anyone out there who is hesitant about setting a goal or worried about what others will say, I say DO YOU!! At 200++ lbs I completed a 15k in under 3 hours!!! You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you. To trust in Him is to be assured of victory--and victory is so sweet.