What a great feeling to cross the Finish Line

 I think I can, I think I can

 Crossing the finish line.  I was tearing up and could not focus on the clock and big guy in red/black was blocking the clock.  What I do know is that when I did look at it a couple of minutes later it said 58 minutes, so I know that I came in under 58 minutes.  The big thing is that I started, tried and finished it.

 I know, I am a hot, sweaty mess, but look at that ribbon!

my first bib and ribbon. 

Now, do I mark this off of the bucket list? or do I keep on?  The goal is to try to build up stamina and strength and eventually to lose weight.  I don't know.  For today, I am basking in the accomplishment of having set a goal and completed it.  Thank you to all of my facebook friends for the encouragement and love.

Today is the day of my first official 5K - the WRWM Graduation

 Special thanks to Dwayne for running with me at times, and being an encouragement, telling me I look good, even though my behind is eating my shorts and I have the world's smallest pony tail and I look like a pin head, and lastly, I had to do some Yoga poses to stretch that shirt out enough to get it over my biceps - that is the word for big arm, right???

 special thanks to Austin, my biggest fan and encourager.  You have been my night time/early morning running buddy and I appreciate you for it.  I was so excited that you got up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday to cheer on your momma.

 This is sweet little Kat.  Her mother was my inspiration to run/walk a 5k.  Larisa sent me texts and messages and pictures of encouragement weekly.  I missed her today, but she is probably JUST  FINE, she is on the beach in Cozumel today.

This is the starting line with 1,200 of my closest friends. 

Tomorrow is the Big Day - 5K Graduation

After 3 months of training, tomorrow is the big day.  I am going to do my first 5K.  You notice I did not say run my first 5K, because unfortunately I still walk alot more than run, but I am going to be out there trying and that is what really matters.

Folks have asked me what my goal time is for tomorrow.  I say simply that I want to finish.  I jokingly say that I don't want to be the one running in front of the truck picking up the cones, but someone has to be last, and if that happens to be me, I will be ok.  It will be something that I can laugh about.  The important thing is that I got off of my tookus and did something that I am afraid to do.  It has been a struggle, but I have gotten stronger.  That was the goal of all of this. 

I would like to thank my running buddy Larisa, for being a great encouragement to me during these months.  She has more faith in my ability than I have in myself.  I would not be doing this tomorrow if not for her texts and calls and pep talks.  I am going to miss you tomorrow, Larisa, but I know you are having fun on your cruise.

I went over 3 miles - hey that's 5K

Just one more week of training before graduation.  This was the first time that I actually went over 3 miles, heck it was the first time I went over 2.5 miles.  It does look like I will be at the back of the pack, but hey, somebody has to be last. 

Week 9 - Take THAT "Criminal Minds" Marathon

So, after procrastinating all day today, Labor Day, and watching a marathon of one of my favorite shows, "Criminal Minds", I managed to put off doing my Homework for the Women's Run/Walk Memphis for today.  We did not train together because of the holiday, but are supposed to get in all three of our runs this week, and having to work 4 shifts this week, I really should have run today.....but, Nooooooo! I sat on my tail watching TV.

Well, Austin came in from work, and I asked if he had remembered to stop and get more diet cokes.  Of course, he forgot.  I then told him that I wished he had been home with me to run earlier, because I was afraid to go out after dark alone. 

He then told me that we should walk to Kroger and get the diet cokes, you know.....two birds, one stone.  I said "No, Austin, I have been watching Criminal Minds all day, it will be too spooky, scary, creepy, dangerous, dark, icky......" you get the idea.  I used every scary adjective I could think of, and him being.....well, him......talked me into going.  He said he would "protect me" .....all 107 pounds of him.

So, imagine if you will, it is 10:30 at night, dark outside, thankfully a full moon.  I am completely decked out in tech wear, head phones, Map My Run, Pandora Fit radio, money in my pocket, a flash light that was almost as bright as a really dim nurse's pen light and I am ready to go.  I look at Austin and he has on pajama pants, flip flops, his cell phone in his hand, pushing a stroller (with which to carry the drinks back, of course).  I said, "Austin, you can't go for a run in your flip flops", so he goes to change.  Well, long story short, as we are in Kroger, I notice that Austin is BARE FOOTED.  I guess he got the part right about you can't wear flip flops. 

So, we did finish our run, and we went 3.2 miles in just over an  hour.  I can't believe we actually went 5K......my first time completing 5 kilometers and my Austin was with me.  I sure do love that boy.