Never Thought I Could!

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!

Back Home Again!!

Well, we got home from South Carolina late yesterday afternoon. We were all completely worn out, but it's so good, always good, to be back home, again.

Abby and I left for South Carolina on Friday afternoon with Brittany and two of her cross country teammates. I had to drive them to Furman University for their meet on Saturday afternoon. It took us a good 2 1/2 hours to get there, rather than the expected 2, because we were following another family and we got lost several times! That's pretty bad when a MAN pulls over and asks ME for directions! Not good, not good, at all! What's even worse is that we both have GPS devices in our vehicles and we STILL got turned around! Oh, where was Chris when I needed him?

Abby finally gave him a call. He was actually already at Furman and was able to give us step by step details on how to get there. Thank goodness! It always comes so easy for him! So, after several more minutes, we made it there, no worse for wear...well, almost!

The girls (8 of them) and the coaches ran the course so they would be better prepared for the race. We took all their smelly bodies to the hotel where we stayed so they could shower before dinner. Definitely a SMART decision!
The coaches had said we'd be going to Olive Garden for dinner, but since Furman was having their homecoming, we opted to go to a local pizza pub to avoid the crowds. The food was actually pretty good and everyone seemed to enjoy it. We all left and went back to the hotel for some much needed rest...it had been a LONG day.

The next morning, we all ate a quick breakfast at the hotel, then it was off to Furman to watch some college teams compete. I kept thinking...that could be Brittany in about a year and a half! It was very exciting to watch! Right before our girls ran, my brother-in-law and a close family friend showed up, as well as my husband's cousin. They all came to watch Brittany compete.

The varsity girls' race started at 12:30 PM They ran on a golf course, so it was pretty hilly. There was a total of 282 girls in the race. Brittany finished in 18th place overall and first on her team with a time of 20:42. We knew that it wasn't going to be a PR course because of the hills. The team placed 10th overall out of 41 teams, so we were all very proud of them.

Once the race was over, we drove to Chris' mom's house. It was Abby's 12th birthday, so we had a little celebration for her that evening. We wanted to do something to make her feel special and I think she really appreciated it. She was thrilled because she got a Jonas Brothers CD, a Jonas Brothers shirt, a Camp Rock calendar, and a Jonas Brothers poster. I ask you...does it get much better than that?

My father-in-law's funeral was on Sunday afternoon. We all attended church together on Sunday morning, came home and rested for a bit, then we had to head back at 2 PM. The service was very nice. The part that got me is when the choir sang, "Jesus Loves Me". As my father-in-law's disease progressed, he rapidly lost the ability to speak. However, when his caregiver, Ann, came over, she'd always sing, "Jesus Loves Me" to him and often, he would sing or hum along with her. So, the song held special meaning for that very reason. He was buried with full military honors, complete with a 21-gun salute and the presentation of the American flag to my mother-in-law. Very touching, to say the least. Everyone seems to be at peace knowing my father-in-law is finally HOME.

When we got home yesterday afternoon we all had so much to to catch up on. Homework, laundry, unpacking/packing... Chris had to leave this morning at 5:30 AM for Mobile, Alabama where he'll be working the next several days. It's really quite an adjustment for me having him gone, again, after being home for the past 6 months. Of course, it's a good thing, so I dare not complain. Afterall, when he's on the road, I get full control of the remote. No FOX Sports for me!!! I do wonder, though, what might happen while he's away...Will the faucet spring a leak? Will the closet door fall off it's hinges? Will the fridge stop working? Something ALWAYS happens when Chris is away. Hopefully, this will be a catastrophe-free week!!

I almost forgot to write about Brittany and Andrew...so much for my wishes for a catastrophe-free week, I'm afraid. She is very uspset with him because he didn't bother to call her one time while we were in South Carolina to see how she was holding up. When she brought it up during their phone conversation after we got home, his "excuse" was that it was his mom's birthday and he couldn't find the time. He, actually, hung up on her yesterday afternoon! Oh, the very nerve of that boy!! He may not realize it, but when he messes with Brittany, he's messing with ME! So, this may very well be the beginning of the end! It doesn't hurt to dream, does it? I'll keep you posted!!

Brittany and me before her race...

Brittany is on the far left #1843...
Rounding the first mile...

The birthday girl and her Jonas Brothers CD....

Opening more gifts...

She may be 12, but she'll always be my little girl...