My first 5K!

Well, I've cried 4 times today, which is more than I've cried in two months.

I showed up to my 5K event at about 8:30 this morning, and it was colder outside than was expected. The race itself was great. Fewer people turned out than I had anticipated, but it's in its second year, so hopefully more will turn out in the future. It's called "Cure the Kids" and it's for the Seattle Children's Foundation. Anyway, the course was a loop, so two loops was 5K. I had expected sidewalks, streets, maybe a lap around the campus of St. Martin's University. What I didn't expect was different terrains: grass, gravel, a trail, all in addition to the pavement. There was one good hill, so of course I got to do that twice :)

So my first cry was within the first mile when I realized I am running in a 5K. I know 3 miles really isn't a big deal, and I certainly wasn't running it to win, but if you knew me a year ago, or heck even 9 months ago, you'd know that this was NOT on my agenda or things-to-do list. And I don't even think it's about excuses. Sure I had plenty, and I will still tell you they were legit. I was busy. I was tired. But most importantly, I didn't want to exercise. Straight up...I wasn't ready to do it. Yet today, April 14, 2012, I was running a 5K. The emotion caught up with me, and suddenly tears were streaking down my face. Then I thought to myself, Oh crap, there's people up there, and they are going to think I'm already tired or hurt. So I brushed the tears away, put on a big smile, and continued on. My time is certainly nothing to brag about, but I think for my first race, the terrain, and the fact that I'm still overweight, I'm pretty happy that I just ran it, and that my injuries didn't prevent me from getting to the starting line. And my foot feels pretty good too!

After the race I went and watched one of my students play baseball for awhile, then I went shopping, and it was during this shopping trip I had my second cry of the day. I tried on clothes, and I am down at least one size or more from where I was 8 months ago. I can shop in the regular section of a store. Not the women's section...not the XXL or 1X or 2X...nope, I can wear regular sized jeans and I can try on any shirt in the store. Is the jeans size still huge? Of course...but I can go to the rack that has all the other sizes on it, and I can fit into them. Yep, I cried, and I spent money today, because darn it, those clothes fit!



So I drove home feeling so awesome about my day. I had a blast at the run, and I'm loving shopping again.

I was cooking an early dinner, and the chicken was in the oven and the potatoes were on the stove in boiling water--both about finished when I heard a loud "POP" sound. My husband and I ran to the stove. After debating, we realized it's dead. We are getting ready to do a kitchen remodel, and a new range was not in the budget. Now it is. And that was my third cry of the day because I hate being in debt.

And the last cry of the day? Well, that one is personal, so I won't share it, but let's just say that for as awesome as the first half of the day was, the second half was as equally awful. I really can't wait to get to church tomorrow. God often has a way of speaking to me during worship, and it helps me to understand what I'm going through.

Next steps? I'm going to try a longer run/walk tomorrow. I've got to increase my time, but when I do, that's when the foot/ankle injuries kick in. So I'm thinking I'll just add walking to the running. I hope it works!

Thanks for following my journey...it's been interesting to say the least!
Jolene