Running - part 3: stats

I WAS able to run yesterday. Woohoo! And I think I have created a monster-her name is Melissa :) I believe I am now officially addicted to running. Today the kids and I went to the park and I had to keep myself from running around the walking track. I'm already planning the next 5K and possibly getting the whole family in on the action. Miss A.-aka Lovely Stepdaughter- attends a Catholic school and they have organized a race on May, 9th to benefit the school. I think it'll be fun and she'll be so happy that we supported her and her school this way.

So, on with the stats from yesterday. List form to make it easy on myself, I'm a slacker like that.

• My finishing time was 36:58
• I placed 220 of 261 runners
• I was 88 of 124 female runners
• I was 24 of 41 women in the 30-39 division
• My pace per mile was 11:34
• I ran the first 15 1/2 minutes STRAIGHT! I had never done that in my training. SO Proud of ME!

That's probably more info than anyone really needed or wanted but it's my blog and I'm so dadgum proud of myself I'm gonna brag if I want to. Obviously- I want to!

Nope, no pictures cause we thought we forgot the camera and then that evening remembered it was in my purse. Running is not helping my brain get in shape. That's a shame.

Running - part 2

Do you remember that I mentioned I was running? Tomorrow is the big day. Or as Austin stated, "Tomorrow is the Day I run a 5K!"

As we all know though, things never come as easy as they first seem. I woke up this morning with my knee bothering me. I've been advised to ice it, take Ibuprofen, and stay off the knee. I'm hoping it will be all better tomorrow and I'll be able to run with no problems. If you think about me please pray. I'm also hoping to be able to wear a pin that I ordered from Shelley representing Ukraine and Down Syndrome. I think this will be a great opportunity especially since tomorrow is World Down Syndrome day. I didn't know that when I signed up to run on this day but now that I do know I hope I have an opportunity to share. Maybe the pin will give me that opportunity.

Running

I never did confess on something else. Back when everyone was making their New Year's Resolutions I got this crazy idea that i should run a 5K sometime before this year was out. I even put it as my status on FaceBook for a few days to keep myself accountable. Then a girlfriend of mine offered to run with me and even found a race for us to run in together. In MARCH! Whoa buddy, that's just around the corner. Literally.

I've been pushing myself to get in shape and get ready for this thing because I really do not like the vision I keep getting of me coming in last place, an hour after everyone else, and then keeling over. That would be pretty embarrassing. Dontcha think? I'm working with another friend who is a personal trainer and she's giving me tips and holding me accoutnable. so, i hope by the time March 21st ( I think, too lazy to check) rolls around I'll be doing pretty good. Or at least able to finish last, just a few minutes after everyone else, and not keel over.

The other confession on this same topic is that I thought at the time that this whole "run a 5K" thing was my idea. Even though I had no idea where it came from. Then at a worship night at another friends house we were singing "I Will Run" by Misty Edwards and God spoke as clear as could be to my spirit, "5K-That was My idea, not yours". Whoa! That song is one of my favorites on my MP3 that I listen to a lot and i wasn't even sure why it had become significant to me all of a sudden. Now I know.

So, needless to say God is trying to tell me something or bring me to a certain place. He's doing something, I'm just not sure what it is right now. I've started studying the words Run/Race in the Bible and a couple things have stood out to me. Maybe He wants me to stay strong in this Race of Adoption/Orphan issues? Maybe He's calling me to run with the vision like it talks about in Habakkuk 2:2? Maybe He just wants me to set a good example for my family? I don't know yet. I just hope whatever it is I run this race to the end. The prize has got to be worth it!