Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Race Day's A Comin'

I did something yesterday I thought I would never do.  I officially registered for a 1/2 marathon.  It's not that I thought I would never run 13.1 miles at one time, but it's the "OFFICIAL" race thing. 

Running has been a part of my life since I was 13 years old.  My mom was a speed walker and I could never keep up and still can't keep up with walkers, so I ran.  I ran for sports conditioning and I ran for fun.  When I say "run" I use that term loosely.  There are many walkers who go faster than my running pace, just ask my Tuesday/Wednesday workout buddy!  Nevertheless it is some form of running:)

In February my sister, Joan, says to me, "do you like to run?".  And again my response, "I don't like to walk, so I run".  And she proceeds to remind me that she's been wanting to do a 1/2 marathon and at that moment out of postpartum insanity I said, "I'll do it with you"!  That's the moment the words fall out of your mouth and the rest of you is screaming You Are Craaazy!

Up until a couple of weeks ago I never understood the hype of all these people running 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon races.  It was as if all of a sudden there has been this huge boom of "I run races".  And I sat thinking, "I've run for years what's the big deal?".  Now I get it.

The hype is about setting a crazy goal, disciplining yourself to accomplish each step, and growing in character for the baby steps accomplished.  In turn getting back in shape after 3 kids!  Even more exciting, my middle sister who doesn't even like the word exercise is joining us!  I'm actually getting excited every time I go out to run instead of doing it out of the mind set- I've got to get in shape.  


The best part about joining the racing world is that it makes me more disciplined in training my heart.  This is definitely a goal I can't accomplish without God's intervention and I find myself pouring into the Word more and being much more diligent about loosing myself and listening to Him in every aspect of my day.

Now to complete the K's..5K, 8K, 10K and then the big day Saturday, December 1st St. Jude 1/2 marathon.  I can't wait to experience what's to come.  Lord give me endurance!