Be Encouraged - My First 10K

I want to take this opportunity to encourage anyone that doesn't think they can do something, because I genuinely and sincerely did not think that running a 10K was ever a possibility for me. I am not lazy or unmotivated, but I just never enjoyed running. I would always literally laugh at people who signed up for races because it sounded that absurd to me. I ran a 5K last year, and left it feeling accomplished and like I never needed to push harder than that because it would be out of my reach… well I was wrong.

I know how cheesy it is, but I really do think all you have to do is put your mind to something. In training for this, I learned a lot about my body, what it can handle, how diet effects exercise and why it is important to push yourself to do a task you do not believe you can do.

That morning, when I started the 6.2 mile journey to the finish line, I remember thinking that if I didn't give up mentally and kept believing my body could handle it, I could jog the entire thing. It was a beautiful morning, and sunlight softly hit my face as I took off just after the sun came up. I ran beside some beautiful lakes and through the most peaceful neighborhoods. I played a fun playlist and let me mind enjoy each song as it came on. I have never run that far before, and I was having some pretty bad knee issues leading up to the run, but dang it, I ran that whole 6.2 miles and did not give up. Crossing the finish line with the biggest cheering section at the race made me want to burst into tears. I still can't believe I did it!

That moment of sheer joy is definitely something I will hold onto for a long time.

I am so proud to say I completed this hurdle, and look forward to putting a new one in front of myself. Until then, I plan to bask in the joy that I did something that felt unattainable and I did it to the best of my ability. I did not leave an ounce of energy unused and I pushed myself around every bend in the road.

Thank you Lord for giving me the ability to complete this task.

I pray I never take your gift of life for granted.

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