The proudest momment of my journey to date....

What a difference six months can make. What a life we can lead if we just have faith and believe that we are capable of doing more. I completed the couch to 5k running program today. That alone is something that I would be insanely proud of ,but tonight was special for me. For those not familair with the program it is a nine week program designed to get you ready to run 5 kilometers(3.2 miles) and I have spent the last nine weeks working toward that goal. Due to my work schedule I have done 95% of my running on a treadmill at the gym. I have heard that a treadmill and outdoor running are different animals and tonight I found that to be VERY true. I thought that since tonight was my last run on the program I would head out early while I still had daylight and go down to the local bike path and try this running thing (For real). Tonight's run is about running for 30 minuetes. And I got to the path and looked down at my heart rate monitor and said... I'll give this my best shot and when I get to the 30 minuete mark I'll be done. It's won't be the full 5k but it will be 30 minuetes. Well away I went. No music....just me, my thoughts and the sound of the river that runs along the path. I always run at a slight incline on the treadmill but this pick path is HILLY. You would think it runs through the friggin swiss alps. But I kept putting one foot in front of the other. By the time I got to the 1.6 mile marker and turned to head back for the last 1.6 I was feeling it. My abs were killing me, my breath wasnt holding up as well as I had hoped and I hit a wall. I just felt like I was done...

But then something happened....I started to think about how far I've come.....I starting to think about those who have supported me in this community.(Thanks guys! I my black team.) and I thought to myself. "Giving up is not an option....in fact, just for considering it you get to run the second half faster than the first." I focused on my breathing and just kept throwing one foot in front of the other.

As I ran alone with my thoughts and the sun's reflection on the riverwater I kept seeing images of small victories and good choices I have made in the last 6 months. This drove me forward and made my go harder. I attacked each hill with a certaintey that it WOULD not stop me and I pushed with a determination that I have seen time and time again from the wonderful people who have shared this experience with me.

Well the bad news is.....I didn't make it the full 30 mins.....

The good news is.....That's because I completed the 5 kilometers in 25:55.

Thank you so much to all my friends. My goal for my first 5k in june was going to be 28 mins. I am thinking I can do it in 25.

:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: