On your mark, get set, RUN!

Today, I was called something I thought I never would be called.

And you know what?

I LIKED IT!

From as long as I can remember, running has been difficult for me and I simply didn't like doing it.

Then one day, several months ago, a dear friend of mine asked if I wanted to run the 5/3 Riverbank 25k run with her.  I wanted to tell her no, but I was so proud of her and the distance she had gone in losing weight through running, that I decided to do it for her.

Little did I know how much it would also be for me.

January 1 I began my training.  I ran in snow storms because I was not going to let anything get in my way of training.  Then life happened.  I was injured (twice), then got sick and super discouraged because I wasn't enjoying the training any more.  It was work, and I do enough of that at the office, I didn't want to work toward something I should be enjoying.

Then something wonderful and totally not in my friend's planning happened: she became pregnant.  All I could think of was me and how my motivation to run was now gone.  Silly me for thinking like that, I know, but I am human and often have selfish thoughts.

On Friday, I had to take my semi-annual APFT.  I rocked it!  Because I was running and ready for it.

Today, my friend and I ran the 5/3 Riverbank 10k together.  It was slow and steady inorder to keep her heart rate down and WE ROCKED it!  I never thought I would be able to run 6.2 miles let alone enjoy it. 

and not just a little, but a LOT!

I really did have a fantastic time running, and it felt great!

The people that were there supporting us runners were awesome!  The water station people, the chearleaders, the bands, and all the spectators- they rocked, too!  It was amazing to me to see the support that our city of Grand Rapids gave to total strangers.  Because of you all, I will do the 25k next year, because I know that you will cheer me through every turn and hill.

And of course, I have my family who has sacrificed several Saturdays in order to allow me to hit the road and then take a nap afterward :-)  Without your love and support, I could have never completed this accomplishment.

I can now be called, "Runner", and believe it.