I have a box of cards, called
Food for Thought, which contains some very thought-provoking questions. I've decided to use these cards several times a month, possibly more, for my post subjects. Sometimes, I have difficulty coming up with different ideas to post about, so maybe this will help.
The question of the day is:
Share a time when you worked hard at something and finally achieved your goal. How did you feel?Well, not long after my mom passed away in November of 2000, I made the decision to start running. I think it helped me cope with a lot of the emotions I was experiencing at the time. Perhaps, I was trying to "run" from the pain and grief of losing my best friend. Whatever the reason, I was very determined to do something I never thought I could do...compete in a 5K.
I recall when I first started out and could run on the treadmill for only 10
mins. or so without becoming winded. At first, I was discouraged, but with a little time, I was able to run for 3-4 miles, sometimes even 5! I ran 6 miles with Chris in our old neighborhood,
once, and was completely blown away that I had MADE IT!!! I was so sore the next day or two, so I paid the price!
Chris has always been a runner...he ran cross country and track in high school. I, on the other hand, was athletic, but I was a cheerleader, so it was a bit different. He encouraged me to enter my first 5K not too long after I began running. I thought about it, then thought about it some more. I decided to take on the challenge because I wanted to prove to myself (and to everyone else!) that I could finish! I had never, at that point, run anywhere other than the treadmill. What in the world was I thinking???
Race day came and I was a nervous wreck! There were a lot of people lined up to compete. We all stood there sizing each other up and down. "
Yeah, I can take her", I said to myself.
Umm,
SHE was about a 75 year old woman! :) We were instructed to listen for the gun to sound...my heart was pounding out of my chest!
POW!...we were off!
We ran all through the streets of our hometown with people lining both sides of the road. The muscles in my legs felt like they were on fire! When I reached about the halfway point, a daunting feeling came over me..."
Why did I ever agree to do this?" Had there been a perfect opportunity, I might have taken a leap and exited out of the race in a hurry, but I stayed with it! The competitive spirit in me was taking hold. I think what really made me want to keep going was when I heard Abby yell out, "
Mom, you're beating a man!" I'm telling you, as soon as I heard those words, I got a second wind and I poured on the juice!
Well, I came across that finish line and it was a moment I won't soon forget...
pure exhilaration! I felt like I had just won the Olympic marathon! Chris and the girls ran over and hugged me and told me they were proud of me. Then, Chris said, "
April, I think you were the first woman to finish!" I asked him for clarification because I couldn't believe my ears! Yes, I ended up placing first for my age division! I was so excited! I had just won my very first 5K! I came home with a nice trophy to show for it...I think I even slept with it that night!
LOL!
Since that time, I've run in numerous other 5K's and have won several more for my age division. I've proven to myself that I can do just about anything I put my mind to, with a little hard work, determination, and lots of sweat!
Here I am with Brittany in May of 2007. We both ran in a Memorial Day 5K. Brittany was the first female finisher, overall, and I won first place for my age division. Woo
Hoo! It was such a great day because we reached our goals together. We ran in the same race last year. Brittany, once again, was the first female finisher, overall. I, on the other hand, placed third in my age division. I gave it my all, so it was still a fun experience!
Chris has tried to talk me into running a half-marathon. I enjoy running...just don't know if I like it enough to do it for 13.1 miles!!!
"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
Let your Thursday be one filled with
thankfulness for all the goals you've reached...when you never thought you could!
Brittany is standing in the middle of all the runners playing out her strategy.
And they're OFF! Come on, Britt...take those boys down...not to mention that little speed demon right next to you!
Woo hoo...those boys ate her dust!
There were runners everywhere!
Coming in to the finish with a time of 20:33! She was so disappointed that the girl who finished in front of her took her right at the final stretch.
But, she was the 2nd female to finish, overall, and got a nice plaque to show for it! It was a great race to get her geared up for cross country season next month! I'm very proud of her accomplishment!
Then, on Sunday afternoon, we drove Brittany and her best friend, Alicia, to running camp at Berry College in Rome, GA. They went with about 30 of their teammates (boys and girls). They'll be there until tomorrow afternoon. Here they are in their very basic dorm room trying to act like they're thrilled with their living conditions. I had to laugh because it's no different from any other dorm room I've ever seen. Oh, those girls have a rude awakening coming to them! Hee hee!
Brittany called last night and said they've been going non-stop...waking up at 7 AM for an 8-mile run. Then, they have a running clinic to attend, as well as various team building activities. She said she's having a lot of fun, but that she's tired. I'm sure she'll be glad to come home tomorrow, and I'll be happy to have her back!
