Squeeze 'Em to Save 'Em 5K

Good day every one!  This is the first time I've had a chance to update since the weekend.  This past weekend was the first Squeeze 'Em to Save 'Em 5K in conjunction with Hootin and Hollarin; and my second 5K!!  Yes, I did it :)  It was such a beautiful, first day of Fall, morning!  Perfect strolling weather.  There was a nice turn out for the 5K and one mile walk.  It was nice to see several out for this.  Proceeds from this race go to Susan B Komen Race for the Cure.

We did it!  (L to R):  Amanda, Me, Teresa....best friends since elementary :)

I have to admit I thought I'd be a little more nervous for this race than my first one from the previous weekend.  It's a little more intimidating in front of people you know than in the company of complete strangers! But it wasn't too bad.  I post all my workouts on facebook as an accountability measure so this race was putting me to the test.....since many of my fellow racers follow me on facebook :)  

It was awesome running across that finish line to cheers!  For a second I didn't feel overweight :)  The rest of those seconds...well, I was full of enthusiasm, excitement, and knowing that what I'm doing is working; slowly but it's working! Oh...and I did much better this week than last; 50.04 minutes instead of just over an hour plus a little more running.  Probably could have been finished sooner, but I think I got chatty.  Right now my time isn't my focus, finishing is. But, I do aspire to medal one day :) 

**Sidenote**  I get so cracked up when people hear I've done a 5K.  Sure I get a lot of "good for you" comments.  But the comments that crack me up are, "REALLY?  YOU did a 5K?  Wow, I'm impressed."  I just laugh and respond with a, "Yes I did."

The next 5K is the weekend of October 6th and it's a virtual race.  So back to the trail I go. 

Until next time . . . Run for life!

I started, I finished, I conquered my first 5K!

Wow!  What can I say.  I'm still on cloud 9 from Saturday!  Smiling, beaming, happy, energized!

Saturday, September 15, 2012:  The day started early for me; 4am.  I needed to be on the road by 5am in order to travel to Springfield, MO for the race.  It was at the Springfield Lake Boathouse.  I like to leave 30 minutes earlier when I'm not sure where I'm going.  But, it was a breeze to find. It's a good thing because I left later than I wanted to.

I got my attire ready the night before so I wouldn't be rushed around.  Checked the weather; called for partly cloudy and misty skies.  But a towel never crossed my mind.  Threw in extra set of comfy clothes to change into when finished.  Well, the weather was WAY OFF!  It was kind of misty and cloudy when I left home.  But the closer I got to Springfield the heavier the rain got.  I remember laughing out loud to myself in the car and saying, "oh great!" But hey, I've always wanted to have a good walk/run in the rain.

I walked into the boathouse and everyone around were slim athletes.  But I'm still thinking "I got this!"  However I knew at that moment I'd probably come in last; especially when they told us about the course!  OH MY GOODNESS......HILLS!  I'll fast forward to line up.  We were all getting lined up and I knew by my company I definitely needed to find myself a spot near the back of the pack.  We're standing there, my nerves are beginning to talk....they were saying oh my gosh Lindsay I can't believe you're doing this and I was answering back I can't either! Not out loud conversations here.  Didn't' want anyone to think I was crazy! LOL  And there it was, the sounds I never in a million years thought I'd hear with me being apart of it.....Runners, on your mark, get set, GO!  Followed by the sound of the air horn.  Here we go!  The sound of feet pounding through the water; splash splash.  May have even heard my heart a little, too. 

The first 2/3 of the race was almost entirely uphill.  There were a few downhills in there, too.  Hills, let me just say, are my weakness.  Not to mention it was pouring down rain and the trail was slicker than snot!  I won't lie and say I never wanted to quit.  The thought did cross my mind at one point, but I carried on.  I knew I would be so mad at myself if I let fear conquer me.  So I just said "Lord, You're going to have to please carry me up this hill."  Yes, I said it out loud...why not?  No one was anywhere near to hear me.  I was out there by myself.  But oh what soul searching and mind cleansing I did.  As the other runners began to quickly go out of my view I just said, "Lord, it's me and You."

There were so many thoughts going through my mind.  My body hurt.  I was cautious with every step because it was so slick.  I was freezing, but hot at the same time.  My clothes were heavy and weighing me down from the rain.  I thought at one point it was good for my clothes to be wet...reminded me of the weight I've lost and how I do not want to be carrying that around anymore!  My clothes were sticking to me too; oh how I dislike that!  My mind was racing faster than my body was I think.  It was still saying I can't believe you're doing this.  Near the end of the race I remember thinking about how long I had been out there.  It felt like an eternity.  Every volunteer I passed at a trail turn I remember thinking, "oh, I'm the slow one making them have to stand out here in the rain waiting on me." But they were so kind, saying good job and telling me thank you for doing this to support the ranch. 

The last volunteer I met I asked how much further and he told me I was 2/3 there.  WOOHOO I'm going to nip this thing in the bud!  By that time the trail was starting to taper off to short little hills and the ground was beginning to level a little.  I had told my friend before the race he better be out there waiting for me to cross.  I was wondering how long he had been finished and how long he'd been waiting on me...in the rain.  I come out of the last little bend and valley and much to my surprise....there he was!  He had finished his race and came back to meet me to finish with me.  I think the sunbeams were shining on me the rest of the race because I was beaming!  That meant so much to me.  He was mouthing something to me and I just kept saying, "I'm coming okay."  Then he told me I had this, I was almost finished, the finish line is just around the corner and down a little ways.  So we finished together.  I only hoped he'd be there waiting on me to finish.  What I go was so much better!  Just before the finish line he reached out to grab a high-five and congratulated me on my completion.

I may have finished today's race last, but I had so many personal "fear" victories in this day.  One, I signed up for something and finished it; not just anything, a 5K.  Two, I walked into a boathouse with my head held high knowing I could do this and didn't let the 'athlete' card intimidate me into quitting.  Three, I feel like I conquered the fear of coming in last!  Four, I FINISHED!!!  I crossed that finish line with a smile on my face knowing I had completed something that was the steps in the right direction toward my future; HEALTHY!  I was and am so incredibly happy.

Great day!  Awesome day!  Excellent day!  Ready for more :)

Until next time . . . Run for life!



 

Tomorrow is the Day...My First 5K!!!

It's so hard for me to comprehend I am doing my first 5K!  It's tomorrow at Springfield Lake Boathouse and a benefit for the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch of Springfield.  I'm excited and a little nervous; only nervous because I have no idea what to expect.  And I will be jogging really for the first time in public!  If you know me you will know that's a big deal!!

There are so many things zooming through my mind.  Here's some of them....."I hope I don't come in last, finish strong, don't worry about what you look like even if you're the only heavy set person there, don't care who's watching you, who cares if you come in last as long as you finish, please Lord don't let my legs cramp up like they occasionally do when walking hard, DON'T FALL DOWN, keep smiling, positive thoughts, look how far you've come since April, you can do it, your dear friend is going to be there cheering you on."  My mind is constantly going from one of these statements to the next, nonstop.

Never before would I have even considered doing a 5K let alone exercise in public!  If someone would have told me in January I'd be doing this I would have laughed at them!  Seriously I would have!

But now, even though I'm still not up to running the entire distance, I am so unbelievably pumped for tomorrow...despite a few nerves.  I have no idea what to expect, but it doesn't really bother me.  It's kinda like faith and my walk with the Lord....give it all to Him and he'll guide me through.  He is my strength and my guide.  I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but through faith I know God will be there with me.  I guess that's what makes everything okay and puts me at peace.  I feel God pushing me to do this so I know it's right and I know everything will be awesome!!!

Until next time . . . Run for life!

Today Marks a Milestone!

Today - Monday, September 10th, 2012; your typical day.  Awoke to a cool fall-like morning of 50 degrees, blue skies and a light breeze.  Oh, and it's my first day back to work since August 31st.  Took advantage of a long holiday weekend (Labor Day) and some vacation time....stayed home to work on my house remodel projects.  Anyway, that's not the milestone.

So what's so special about this day?  Why is it a milestone marker?  Well let me just tell you . . . . I signed up today for not only one, but two 5K's!!!  My first and second ever!!  I'm stoked, pumped, side kick toe touch excited!! 

my announcement to the world!

I'm a beginner and walk mostly; this I know.  But you know you what?  That's okay.  One has to start somewhere....get my feet wet.  In my mind I think, "Goodness, there are going to be fast runners there.  What will they think of me?"  Then I think, "Hold your head high and know you're making a difference in your life and supporting great causes at the same time.  Maybe you'll inspire someone who has the same fears Lindsay."  So I did it.  I bit the bullet.  I overcame fear and submitted those registration forms! 

You know really...fear was the furthest thing from my mind when I hit that little magic button that said "submit registration".  My mind was full of joy and anticipation for great things to happen.  God is pushing me in ways I never imagined or dreamed possible.  Scripture tells us in Matthew 9:29, "According to your faith, it will be done unto you."  Our faith in God's abilities is the key to seeing our dreams come to pass.  I have faith I will be healthier, but I have to put forth effort.  I have to keep the faith that God is my strength to get me through the days when I feel this is too hard.  "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." (Psalm 28:7)  And, I must keep the faith and trust in the people that God has put in my life for a reason, a season or a lifetime....to push me and cause me to work harder in this journey.  

I'm excited...already said that but wanted to make sure you caught on :)  I'm so happy with how God is moving in my life.  Even though it's a little race God still gets the glory in all that I do. I'll be taking Him with me on race day, too :)

Until next time . . . Run (or walk fast if you're on the same level as me) for life!