I Made It!

On Saturday, September 20, hundreds of people from toddlers to grandparents gathered together to run a race. I arrived a
few hours before the race and watched as children, parents, grandparents and college students streamed into the center of Belmont’s campus to register for the race. All around me, people of all shapes and sizes were chugging water, eating bananas, stretching and running warm-up laps to prepare for the big event, the 5K.

All of my training culminated Saturday night at the 5K. I lined up on Belmont Avenue for the big race (about 20 Trevecca students ran it, too). After some delay, and a few sprinkles, the starting gun sounded and we were off. It was hot, it was dark, and it was hilly. Most of the runners were ahead of me, but I kept running (sometimes, though, I had to walk to keep going). But as I came to the top of the final hill and could see the finish line ahead, I got a new burst of energy. And though I was hot, though my ankles were sore, and although I could barely breathe, the end was in sight. The time on the finish line clock was more than the 14:51 that the winner finished in, but it was faster than I had ever run (okay, it was 34:04). And what began as a dream in June became a reality. It wasn’t ever easy, and it was rarely fun, but it was worth it. I’m already looking toward a Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day.






Ella and mommy after finishing the race.














I did it! Yes, I'm really red!

Race Day is on It's Way

Well, just a few more days until the race on Saturday. I have a short (2 mile) run tomorrow, and then I'll be resting (from running that is) until the race Saturday evening (how horrible to have to wait until 6:30 p.m.!). I'm not quite sure yet what the best thing to eat is on Saturday leading up to the race.

I feel like I'm ready, although I'm not sure that I'll be able to run the whole time. A friend of mine ran a whole marathon going 4 minutes running, 1 minute walking. I might do something similiar if the hills of Nashville get to me. Either way, though, I feel a sense of accomplishment. When I began in June, I could barely run for 30 seconds in a row. Now, I can run up to 2 miles without stopping, and sometimes even more. I thought that by now I would like running more, but I don't. I still haven't experienced the "runner's high" that people say gets them through. I'll probably never be a marathon (or half-marathon for that matter) runner. But, I'm in a better place than I was 3 months ago. And, running is a pretty efficient form of exercise that you can do anywhere.

I'm already planning my next race. My dad, brothers and I will be doing a Turkey Trot in Savannah on Thanksgiving Day. Two years ago, I couldn't even walk a 5K at that race (I probably could have, I just didn't want to!). I guess that I must just like poultry events :) I appreciate your prayers for Saturday, and I will post pictures when I can.

Ready or not, here I come!