Off to the Races - Setting New Goals

Been a while since I've written anything, so I figured it was time for an update! For those that recall my post from January 2015, I had just started running and joined the Go Run Start 2 Finish program to train for a 10k. I learned a lot about myself during the training from February to May. I discovered that running is just as tough mentally as it is physically. I also have developed a love for turtles! 

As part of the S2F training, the group did the Run2Believe 5k on March 21st. My official time was 1:00:33, pace 19:31. That was my fastest time yet! It was a fun race and I was able to run most of it with a few walk breaks. Hubby was there to support and my friend Patti ran the race too! 















Next race was the Thin Mint Sprint 5k and Relay.  A group of our turtle runners from S2F, decided we would do the 5k for fun and also do the relay. My friend Tracy also decided this would be her first 5k!! 

I hadn't been feeling very good for a few days before the race though and I wasn't able to give my best. My official time was 1:04:02, pace 20:37. It was a beautiful route for the race and the relay after was fun, especially since we were the only adult team and the rest were all Girl Scouts. Our relay team rocked our Ninja Turtle shirts!       


On May 3rd was the Prairie Fire 5k. Prairie Fire is the race for Wichita runners. This is the largest race I've ever been a part of it and it was a little intimidating. I set a goal to complete this one in an hour or under. Tracy decided to run this one as well and my sweet friend Fleeper (Stephanie) joined in the fun for her first 5k. 



As usual, I came in last, but my time was exactly 1 hour!! I posted this on my Facebook page after: 
Never give up, keep moving forward - my journey has gone much slower than I wanted, but it's my journey and as long as I kept following where God leads me I will get to where I'm supposed to be. I don't know if I will ever get below 200 pounds, I don't know if I will ever be able to run a 15 minute mile - I do know my mental health is stronger and my faith is stronger. I never would have thought I would become a runner (still have my doubts that I am!), I never would have thought that so many people would tell me how I inspire them - God's plan for me is much different than I thought it would be, but I kind of like His plan and I'm excited to see where I'm heading in the next year!! Find your inspiration and motivation inside yourself - it's there, you just have to dig to find it and then not let it go.

And finally it was time . . . all the training, the self-doubt, the encouragement from others, keeping in mind my goal to complete a 10k for Leslie . . . May 17th was race day! I set my goals to 1. complete the entire 10k, and 2. finish in 2 hours.  This was a new race for women only - the Sweet Escape 10k. I figured this one called for a tutu - probably not my best decision, since the race was in the evening and it was hot!!  

My time was 2:18:52, pace 22:21 - I came in dead last. It was a hard race - my hands swelled, I wasn't able to run much of it at all, my foot feel asleep, and I argued with myself the entire time to not give up The message at church that morning was about loving each other. I experienced so much love and support from my new S2F friends and several other friends that came out to run the race (Patti, Tracy, Amy, Cindy, and Heather). Several of them, including my husband, came back the last mile to support me on the last stretch after they had finished their race. And the butterflies that Leslie loved so much were fluttering around everywhere!  I prayed through most of the race and kept repeating Philippians 4:13, which was one of my Mom's favorite verses and has become mine on this journey. 

I took a break in June from races and did the Heart Walk with my Better U sisters, hubby, and my BFF Cindy. 

 

Also, in June I started the Go Run/Fleet Feet No Boundaries Walk/Run 5k training program . . . I'm actually "coaching" the walking group, so haven't been doing much running.  On my journey I have gone from running in below freezing temps with snow on the ground to walking in 100+ temps with humidity so thick it's hard to breath. I'm still slow, but I'm moving forward. 

My daughter is doing the No Boundaries program with me also and it's been wonderful getting to spend time with her!  Our goal race is on August 14th - it's a small race for Maize South High School, called Run with the Bulls. I fully expect to come in last, but this time Michelle will be there with me!  

Now it's time to set some new goals: 

• September 12 - Race 4 Freedom 5k, I walked this one last year and came in near the back, so I want to run part of it this time and not be last
• October 1 - Prairie Fire Fall 5k, this will be the goal race for the No Boundaries group that I will be coaching with again. 
• November 7 - Culture Dash 5k
• November 22 - Turkey Trot 2 mile
• December - to be determined 
• Get back to eating right and losing weight 
• Start a regular strength workout program
• Decide on my goals for 2016 . . . .always moving forward on my pathway through the wilderness!!