10 Years Later: Race Report

On March 23, 2013, I ran my first 5k. I decided early this year to follow the same training plan I had 10 years ago to see if I could achieve a similar result.

I. Training

Over the past few years, I have tried several times to complete Couch to 5k again. I kept falling off of the wagon because of injury, family deaths, fatigue from adjusting to the new normal that is life in the pandemic era. I was scared to reach week 6 this go-round because that has been where it goes wrong. The only thing that went “wrong” in my training this time was that I accidentally started a week earlier than I needed to, but that mistake allowed me the flexibility to deal with life as it happened. I was able to get all the days in, often feeling strong. I have learned – or been reminded – that training is best when I am well-rested, hydrated, and stretched. Shocking, I know. In the before times, I was happy both training before and after work. These days, I have a strong preference for running on days off, so I don’t feel rushed to stretch.

II. Race Day

I was single and living with my parents 10 years ago, but I still wanted them to come cheer me on today! Apparently, living with my husband doesn’t absolve me of my driving duty, so I dutifully went to pick Mom up. Daddy’s mobility doesn’t look the same as it did 10 years ago, and I happily accepted his well wishes before we left.

We parked and crossed the street to the elementary school where the race was staged. I had emailed the race organizer to see if there was a chance that I could have the same bib number as I did 10 years ago, but he politely replied that it was likely not possible due to the 5k numbers not going as high as I would require. Sure enough, I received a 3 digit bib number instead of a 4 digit one. I noticed that this year, the start and finish line were exactly the same, as opposed to being about 50 yards apart as they had been in the past. Mom made fun of me for this selfie:

I guess I was making a lot of faces to finally land on this relatively straight one?

In my training, my left knee had good days and bad days, but by the time the cycle had wrapped up, I was able to run without pain and thus without my brace. As I was warming up, I started to wonder if I should have been wearing it. I dismissed it as pre-race jitters. There was an announcement for 5k runners to begin lining up. I hugged my Mom, she wished me luck, I said a prayer, thanking God for the day and asking for the strength to run the whole way through. I haven’t run a race in its entirety since February 2020!

The horn sounded. We were off!

Immediately, I noted that my left leg was unhappy to be there. I grimaced, hoping that it would subside, and thankfully, before the first mile was done, it did. I was lightly jogging, enjoying the curated playlist I had decided to put in a race day order minutes earlier. I think I try to intentionally forget that this race is what I call “Florida hilly” – lots of little ups and downs, as it is adjacent to a golf course. I saw the first incline and sighed but was determined to push through. About a half mile in, I recognized that there were people I would likely be running with the whole time based on our pace. There was an older black woman with beautiful gray natural hair who was slightly ahead of me most of the time. I decided I wanted her to beat me because it is a sign that I can keep getting better. I was running without a watch this time – even 10 years ago I had a basic polar heart rate watch. I just wanted to move without watching any metrics. When I reached the mile 1 sign, I smiled, crossed myself and thanked God. My music was telling me I was going the pace I wanted. Mile 2 was similar – I could keep this up, I thought.

Mile 3 was absolutely brutal.

There were so many bloody turns. My mouthing the words to my playlist had become cursing. I know I have written previously about turns making me feel like I am progressing, but these turns were just too many. Another one – then another one – I felt like I would never see the finish line. I really wanted to walk, but I knew I would be mad at myself later, and I knew my body still was able to have both feet off of the ground at the same time. I had been looking forward to the triumph of seeing the finish line like I had at age 27, but at age 37, I was feeling relief. Seeing my Mom waving me in did change my cursing into smiling though, and I still had a little more in my legs to pick up the pace toward the finish.

I did it.

I had tried to duplicate my picture from 10 years ago, but I had two arms up in that one! I should have checked *sigh*

III. What’s Next?

As much as I was cursing the course yesterday, I hope I can return at 47. I need 10 years to mentally prepare for the turning, I think. 🙂 So much has changed in the last ten years. Yes, I am heavier, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be stronger. I think the greater challenge is the mental weight of life that has come with the passing of time. I hope my Dad is still around to give me a hug when I get back from dropping off Mom. I hope my Mom can make me another “Go Jo” sign and be there to wave for me as a I finish. I’m not sure who is reading this anymore, but if you are, I am rooting for you to be your strongest, too! ❤

Conversion Story

“Stretch without ceasing.” – Apostle Paul, probably

Fine, perhaps that’s not ACTUALLY what Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, but let’s be real. Look at this map:

He’s not making this trip on foot without regular, frequent, stretching. No. Way.

I want to say that training at 35 is different than training at 29, but honestly? I should have stretched more then, too. I found myself injured and in pain back then, so there’s no way I can get away without stretching now. I was so hyped about starting a 30 day strength program when I realized I was registered for a race that rolled over from 2020. Getting my heart rate back up was feeling so good that I thought mayyyybeee I can start couch to 5k and get to running again in time for the race! My PT had said I was good to go and cleared from my knee injury so – why not, right? I wanted to lose more weight first but running is just the best. Let’s face it.

My body was in so much pain. It was about five days before I was fully pain free, and it has taken a lot of stretching and foam rolling to get there. Too much, too fast. I’m intimidated to start again, but I must! I was on a such a happy streak. For me, I think stretching is the physical version of prayer – when I do it, it is always a relief, it enables me to do more than I thought I could, but I don’t do it nearly enough. My glutes are saying I definitely need to stretch without ceasing. There’s no reason my body should be in pain in order for me to run and be fit, and YES I know the difference between soreness and pain.

What I’m saying here is that I’m looking for a stretching/workout regimen that I will follow religiously – can’t be a Christmas/Easter stretcher like I have been in the past. Frankly, it is like finding a church – I have to feel comfortable enough to do it consistently and it must help me grow stronger. I’m trying a 30/120 interval soon – hopefully that won’t kill me! ❤

Fabruary: Awaiting Results

Day 1 of the new month – which I am proclaiming as fabulous, by the way – with my mountain of student loan debt comes the ability to spell all of the months in English properly – has got me nervous. I know I literally JUST said it is going to be fabulous but please, hear me out. I have successfully wrapped up my workouts for the week but my legs are not happy about it. I did a good job in Shamuary of consistently getting in my miles, but if I do not start stretching and adding strength regularly, I’m not going to make it. Stretching daily and full ass yoga and strength routines twice a week, each. Periodt, as my Lil One would say.

I believe that every runner loves results, but I also think that results mean different things to different people. When I started running in 2013, I was not thinking that I would ever become addicted to entering races. I was just a girl trying to continue my habit of working out 3 times a week to lose weight and Couch to 5k was a free, structured way for me to do so. What a blessing that I was able to maintain the discipline to finish the program, enter a race, and have one of the happiest moments of my life as I crossed my first finish line. While I still care about my weight loss, the purpose has now flipped – rather than running to lose weight, I want to lose weight so I can be the most efficient runner possible.

At this point in my life, I am determined to show myself that my best still awaits me. Last night, I started updating the calendar page of my blog to fill in gaps and detail all of my awesome activities and race results. I used the site coolrunning.com, which I have been using for years to check where I’ve placed in my age groups. Would you believe that as of today, February 1, coolrunning.com is NO. MORE?! Had I waited one more day, it might have been impossible to find any of my races prior to my purchasing a Garmin. I am beyond thankful that God moved me to update my calendar and I hope I can bless others as I increase in fearlessness. If you want to do something, people, just grab life by the ovaries! You never know!

About those ovaries.

It was interesting seeing my race times in black and white, all together. There is a distinct before and after marriage line. I have been tempted to make new goals based on Mrs. J rather Ms. J but I am not that old yet! I refuse to accept that the result of getting married is to be slower. That being said, the result of being older and more experienced requires that I do not neglect things like stretching and strength training – when I was at my best I was getting regular massages and not missing boot camp. That girl was great, and this one can be too. THAT being said, I’m no longer mad at Mrs. J for being slower. I am coming to realize that life is like training and it is simply not feasible for me to be in peak condition all of the time. Garmin knows, look at this chart:

The last year three years have frustrated me as I cannot seem to break the pattern of setting goals and missing them, but check out that calendar – I haven’t been exactly sedentary. I would argue that I have toggled between maintaining, recovery, and overreaching as a married woman. I hope that I am able to become more productive so that I can truly peak! Here’s to good decision making and not being mean to myself when I make not so good ones!

 

 

(P)Re-Epiphany: Race Report

I’ve fallen, and I’m conflicted as to whether or not to get up.

I groaned as I woke up yesterday to check the weather. Cold, cold, cold. I personally do not care to be outside when it dips below 55 in Florida, and it definitely was in the 40s. On the way to the race, I asked myself – why do I bother registering for January races? It feels this way damn near every. year. What is my compulsion?

My mood did not improve upon my arrival at the race site. I saw several people I know, and quite well, but they either didn’t recognize me or chose to ignore me. Sometimes, as a black woman, I feel like a chameleon – a change to my hair and I am a totally different person. Perhaps I simply have a forgettable face, or both! Anyhow, this introvert didn’t feel like talking anyway. I saw a student and his family and I turned the other direction and went back to my car to stay warm.

My word, January 1 was filled with such hope and here I am, the 5th, fallen from my glory. My shiny new Garmin glimmers on my wrist and I feel unworthy of the tool in which I’ve invested. It’s the same old body! Same old weakness, same imperfection, same doubts, but now with Spotify and Bluetooth. I worked to set up my playlist, which I named for my mood.

Sigh. Why am I here?

I exited my car about 5 minutes prior to the race start. I will admit that my music made me dance and smile, as sour as I had been feeling. Like running, it is primal; moreover, it also elicits my feelings of inadequacy, but the only performance ahead of me was this 3.1 miles, so I’m gonna jam. I hear someone shout go and I walk toward the start line, without the hope that I had had just 4 days prior.

I knew that I was capable of running the race in its entirety, but I did not know how fast I would be. I told myself I would just run comfortably. A couple – each with a stroller! – passed me, and I sighed once more. Those babies are winning in every way, I thought to myself – they don’t have student loans! My twisted sense of humor made me smile as I ran.

My watch beeped as I passed the first mile marker. Under 12 minutes?! Whose legs are these? Can I maintain this? I enjoyed my music as I took each step, thankful for what seemed to be a steady pace. This race was in a very familiar area, which – I cannot say I find positive. I know exactly what it feels like to drive on these roads and because I do so fairly often, it made me very impatient to finish the race. By the time the final turn came, I no longer regretted having registered – but I’m not doing this one again!

There was so much food at the finish line but I still just wanted to get the hell out of there. Why does it still feel like a divine revelation that I enjoy completing races, even when I start the day reluctantly? Why am I so hard-headed that it still surprises me a bit when God brings me to another finish line? What will it take for me to feel like I just want to run and not run and hide?

Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! Ecclesiastes 9:4 (NIV)

You hear that, y’all? I am better than a dead lion! Apparently, there’s hope for me, even when I am down in the dumps…

Miss and Hit: Race Report

The Christmas season may start in earnest after Thanksgiving for civilians, but for music teachers like Lady J, I’ve been professionally preparing since prior to Halloween. Holiday concert number one was on Friday, the 6th, and I had been so stressed and so not running that I thought I would skip out on a 5k for which I registered months ago on Saturday. The Mentor said it would make me feel better, though, and I had the best of intentions to do it.

Womp! Didn’t happen. I made it to bed around 11 and set my alarm to 4:30, but when the husband came into bed late, I was unable to get to back to sleep. I was more scared of the hour long drive each way than I was of the running, and so by 5:30 am, I fell asleep again.

I really hate skipping races for which I’ve registered (unless they are triathlons, no regrets). The only other time I can think of that I’ve missed a running race is when my mother-in-law was literally on her deathbed. 2019 has been a great one, no? 🤦🏾‍♀️ While I think I made the best choice, it still bummed me out. The Mentor texted me to ask how it went because she’s the best, but I waited to reply until…

I showed up and registered for another race today!

Here I am, one of my favorite places in the whole, wide world. The starting line. I’ve been mostly doing intervals since September, if I’ve been doing anything at all. I simply wanted to see where I am right now and how I felt. Run and see what happens!

I chose my Gospel music running playlist. I need supernatural help every day, but today I thought it would be especially helpful. 3.1 miles is a long way! I didn’t have high hopes that I would be able to make it all the way through a song without a walk break, much less a whole mile, but after I saw the first mile mark and I was still trucking along, I started to get some confidence.

Step after step was given to me. I kept marveling at how the body works. The gift of being able to move forward – to walk – much less run – was making me smile as I worked my way toward the finish. Less than 40 minutes before I started, I found myself with Santa!

I. Was. So. Happy!

As I wrapped up some shopping, I heard the awards start and didn’t think anything of it at first. Then I heard some of the times and thought…maybeeeee…and maybe came true!

5th place AG! Not bad for a girl who set her alarm for 4 am this morning and swiped her card to sign up 15 minutes before the start!

I wish my running were more hits and fewer misses, but I am thankful for today! Here’s hoping my next hit drops sooner rather than later…

S-M-R-T Ass! Race Report

The morning was cool and beautiful at 6:45 as Adonis and I left the house for the race. It was a nice change from the week, which had been rainy and/or cold. We found parking close by the race site and strolled through adorable Safety Harbor as we looked for packet pickup. It was nice being there early enough before the race not to have to rush and to have time to explore, with much love to my perpetually late parents. 🙂

3M was running the 10K, so we went to the finish line to cheer her on. She reported it being hot and I hoped foolishly that I wouldn’t feel the same way, although my race didn’t start for another 40 minutes.

I went to the bathroom for a 2nd time since arriving – I’m terribly paranoid about needing to go during a race, especially a shorter distance one. I even have a policy to stop drinking about 30 minutes prior. Since the race was in a public park, we had the option of *gasp* indoor plumbing! Amazing! That 15 minute wait in line was totally worth it. I took the time in line to finalize my race playlist. 33 minutes and change.

Adonis and 3M walked with me to the start line. As I found an appropriate place to corral myself, it dawned on me that I had neglected to warm up. I groaned to myself and hoped I would still have a good race. As the horn sounded, I wrapped up my obligatory tears and sniffles at the start of races and started toward the timing mat. I started my Garmin and my music and off I went.

I felt incredibly determined and focused with my first steps. I was well-rested and feeling confident. Quite frankly, I felt like a badass. Then I felt silly for feeling like a badass with my moderate to slow ass pace. “Who am I to feel like a bad ass in the dead ass center of the pack?” Sigh. I laughed inwardly at my ridiculous self-talk – I was already breathing too heavily to do anything but smile outwardly. How else am I supposed to feel as I am running? There’s no pace threshold at which I should be allowed to feel confident – I have been training regularly and I deserve to feel good RIGHT. NOW, just before making my first turn.

The first mile went by more quickly than I expected. As I passed the mile marker and my watch went off, fewer than 11 minutes had gone by. I pumped my fist and pointed one finger up, my way of thanking God for each mile and asking humbly to carry my legs through the remainder. I saw a sign that read “You are NOT almost there.” I was feeling good enough to laugh until I saw that there was a looooong incline ahead. Not cool – and I don’t just mean how 3M told me it was not cool (she was right, by the way). I grimaced and just pushed forward. I regretted not stopping at the first water stop and hoped there would be one at the top, but alas, it did not come until much later. The incline marked the turn around and I tried to motivate myself by reminding myself I would have a sweet downhill in a little while.

Meanwhile, in my pocket, my amazing playlist was thrown off by the fact that I had forgotten to lock the screen on my phone, so I was now hearing my songs go back and forth and finally one just stuck on repeat. I had planned it so meticulously and it was failing, but I thought to myself, “at least it’s a long one. I hear this about 2 and a half more times and then I’m done.” My 2nd mile took me more than 11 minutes, but I was still on track for my 33 and change despite my having lost my playlist to help me track. I felt slow and tired and I was now at the point I reach every race – why am I doing this, again? I got a reprieve at a water stop and walked for a brief moment. I took the time to reorient my thinking into something positive and told myself I would start running again on the one – it’s totally normal to plan intervals based on downbeats, amirite – and did it.

I dug for a final gear that I could not seem to find. That incline and the weather had pushed me and I realized I was doing my best. Nothing left to do but just go to the finish, and thankfully, it was near. I glanced at the timing clock and I knew I couldn’t slow down if I wanted 33 and change not to become 34 and change. I saw 3M at the chute but I couldn’t shout out because I was damn near out of gas. Adonis saw me and reached out his hand and I managed to high five him. I high fived another stranger as I gave my last effort to the finish.

Boom. 33:43. Down from 35:27 four weeks ago. Goal met. I am S-M-R-T. ❤

 

Well Done, Miss

January 31. Just like that. Here are some key stats:

• Weight lost: 0 pounds
• Miles run: 54.2
• Races run: 1
• Days practiced: I don’t know, but I played well in a recital, so enough for now

This begs the question – how well am I resisting?

I. The temptation to overeat

I am breaking even. I will confess that I regret weighing myself a few days ago and seeing that, in that I was a bit less motivated to run. Naturally, everything is fitting the same way, but you know, sometimes you just hope to step on the scale and see a miracle. 🙂

II. Nonlinear progress

Although the scale is not budging, I can’t be mad because I’ve been eating whatever and it has been delicious. That being said, I am seeing my resting heart rate come down and I am getting better sleep, so the running is not a waste. I’ve got do to better in February, though, because I’ve got a 10 miler with The Mentor coming up and I already have no hope of keeping up so I’d rather not have negative hope and extra weight.

III. Comparing Myself to Others

I’m especially impressed with myself because I went to a recital and heard some really talented teachers, but I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. Playing the piano can be fun and I think I have a specific calling, so for today, I’m secure. I know someone else could be doing it, but I don’t see anyone else around doing it for right now, and here I am, living life, so I may as well make the best of it.

IV. Allowing the evil one to steal my joy

This past week, I have been looking for any reason to laugh. At myself, with my colleagues and friends, at anything. I’m just ready for a good time even though nothing is really different. When I am happy, the key is to allow it even though I suspect in a week or two I will feel as though the world is ending.

V. Minimizing my accomplishments

I guess 1 through 4 aren’t too bad.

VI. Not prioritizing my time. 

I’m so thankful for the opportunity I had to play this past month and that I am on track to complete my 1019 km in 2019! It has been tricky but I’ve been making it work. However, I know that I have to be feeling positive to feel like it is worth it. I was extremely tempted to skip my running for the week because my weight hadn’t moved, but I reminded myself to not minimize my accomplishments, which helps me to prioritize my time.

Onto February:

1. Weight loss: 5-7 pounds
2. Miles run: at least 54
3. Races run: 2
4. Days practiced: whatever I need to be able to play through the first movement of Florence Price’s Piano Sonata.

What an Adventurous Woman: Race Report

Last night, I had a really hard time getting to sleep. I had wanted to be winding down by 8 and asleep around 9:30 for a 4:30 am wake up, but I didn’t make it into bed until 10 pm and I was rolling around until after midnight as I questioned why I paid good money to do this. I woke up, made coffee, scrambled eggs and breadsticks and got in the car for my lonely, hour and a half ride – I couldn’t convince Adonis or Mom to come with me, so I brought Bear. 33, don’t care.

There was practically zero traffic on either interstate for me to contend with. I was thankful that though I didn’t get an ideal amount of sleep, I was not feeling tired. The entirety of the ride was dark, but I pumped myself up with an excellent playlist. As I arrived in Venice, the sun was coming up and I started to remember some of what I’ve loved about becoming a runner. I would have no other reason to be in a part of Florida I never see if it weren’t for a race.

After getting my race packet, I wandered out to the pier where I saw some men fishing. I pounded my fist, wishing I had thought to twist Adonis’s arm because he could be fishing while I ran, but it was probably just as well. He has a lot of business to schlep with – fishing gear reminds me of triathlon. I asked the gentlemen what was out there. “Nothing!” they replied, half kidding. A lady wandered up to one of the men and said that she had exchanged her race shirt for a larger size because it was ugly and now he could use it for fishing, hah! I didn’t comment but I had been thinking that upon my return home Adonis would see my shirt and try to steal it for the same reason. I was amused to see a household with a similar dynamic – one fisherman, one running woman. She and I started walking back toward the starting line and talking.

I soon learned that FW (fishing wife) likes doing all kinds of events in this part of Florida. She lives nearby and was telling me about different running and biking events and which ones had the best breakfasts and goody bags – clearly a woman after my own heart. I revealed that I did not live close by and wasn’t too familiar with the area, although I have done a few races down here in the past. “You came down here by yourself? What an adventurous woman,” she replied.

√ Blog post title. Boom.

I love how God works. I am sure she just wanted someone to pass time with before the race started, and I had had no plan as to how I was going to spend the time. I probably would have ended up spinning my wheels, being nervous for no good reason, but FW really helped me relax as I listened to her share and got some advice on longevity in running. “Listen to your body. Celery. Potatoes.” Can’t argue with that! It is funny to me that she said that, because I think of myself as a rather conservative person, reluctant to take what I perceive as unnecessary risks. When I make up my mind to do something, I just do it.

Before I knew it, it was time to start. FW started slightly ahead of me, but I caught up to her as she slowed. She said she wasn’t feeling so great and insisted I go ahead. I could have run with her, but I wanted to see what my body would do. This marks the first time in a good while that I have completed a training cycle with a goal race and I needed to see how it worked out. Sadly, red tide made a bit of the otherwise beautiful course smelly. I decided not to look at my watch at anytime, but simply committed to only walking when I stopped for water. I only wanted to do what I thought my body could – I’m conservative, remember? 😉

Shortly after mile 2, I saw the finish line in the distance. I was both hopeful and confused. As I approached, a volunteer informed me that I needed to take a loop around the lake before going to the finish. I remembered that FW had told me about the loop but I still found myself irrationally angry by the cooch tease of coming so close to the line but yet so far! Man, I was tired, but I knew I had more in me. One step came after the other and lo and behold, I was privileged to make the FINAL final turn toward the finish.

After getting much needed water, I went back toward the finish to see how FW had done. Turns out her medication was troubling her breathing! That’s the last time she’ll take that, she said! Runners are the best. Running is the best. 2 minutes and 20 seconds off of my last 5k 4 months ago. Let’s see what my next adventure holds!

The Happiest Place on Earth: Race Report

Yesterday rocked.

I was accompanied by Mom and Dad. Mom was racing too and cussing me the whole way to the start line. “Why am I up? It’s cold. I should be sleeping. This is crazy.” It was actually a bit colder than I was expecting, but it was supposed to be ideal by the time the race started. We got our packets, used the lovely portable toilets, I ate my pre-race navel and lined up at the starting line.

My playlist was set. 31:30. Too ambitious? Maybe. I was just feeling so optimistic! Garmin was on, but I didn’t want to stress myself out by staring at my watch, so I told myself I would turn it on but I would not look at it during the race. I wanted to see where my training had put me in my natural state – pushing, yes, but not killing myself. The hype man started the countdown from 10, and then the horn sounded. Tears came to my eyes once more. What is more beautiful than a chance to start again? I swallowed and made my way to the timing mat.

Two songs into my playlist, I saw the 1st mile marker. My body was feeling good. I pointed to the sky and asked for help for the next 2.1. I made another turn on this familiar Orlando course and saw a sign on a church. “Jesus Loves You,” it read in neon lights. I smiled as I continued running past the first water stop. I hadn’t been drinking water during any of my training runs and didn’t want to lose any momentum. Three more songs pass, as does the 2nd mile marker. I had done an amazing job on my playlist – the words and beat were helping me push forward. I saw a lady from Venezuela whose shirt read “God is with you” on its back – incidentally, near another water stop. Living Water, heh. “Gracias por tu camisa!” I yelled, thanking her for her shirt.

Two songs to go. Two turns to go. I am doing it. I was so happy to be running and feeling strong. One song to go. One turn to go. Final turn made. Finish line in sight. Aaaaand the first song comes on again. Blast you, point 1. I chuckled and found another gear as I crossed the finish line.

Mom had told me to come back for her, which I did, after I brought a snack to Dad, of course. I caught her on the home stretch. “Ready to run to the finish?!” “I will – at the stop sign.” That’s my Mom, ever the rebel. Gonna hit the gas at the stop sign. We went for it as I ducked to the left of the timing mats. I met with her on the other side of the chute. “Where are the race results?” said the woman who had been complaining to me all morning.

I had shaved 00:02:10 off my 5k time from November and Mom was a minute faster than a month ago! I was most pleased because my pace had been incredibly steady – each of my miles was within 20 seconds of the other. Boom. Mom commented that I looked like I just had had a facial. Nope. This is the glow that can only come from the happiest place on earth. A place of sweat, faith, strength, and growth. I want to stay here as long as I can. ❤️

Tired but Inspired: Race Report

As you are fully aware, cancer sucks. The many volunteers behind One Step Closer to the Cure are tirelessly working so that no one else’s Auntie has to be taken prematurely by ovarian cancer. Collectively, my family did our part contributing about 100,000 literal steps. Here is how my 6,000 went:

1. 1-2,000

If you want to know how I think I’m going to do during a race, all you must do is check my playlist. Did I set it to shuffle? I’m just here for the cause. Perhaps I spent significant time carefully crafting both the sequence and length of the list. That means the next 33 (Lord willing) minutes are not a drill. When the horn sounds, I’m feeling great out of the gate, man. I’m gonna run this bad boy all the way through. Early on, I experienced the runner’s high that keeps me coming back. Seeing so many teams and friends coming together always helps to add to my gooey feelings. Everyone’s a champ so far, even me!

2. 2,001 – 4,000

It’s…it’s kind of hot out here. I wanted to push but – eh. I have noticed recently that there’s something about turning in races that is a mental drag for me. It used to exhilarate me, as I would focus on the fact that I am progressing, but right now I deem to be in a place where I think to myself “ugghhhh there’s more!” and my pace drops accordingly. I started running some, then walking some, but still trying to meet my goal. Plus, running whenever I saw my family.

3. 4,001 – finish

Okay so maybe my goal was a *tad* ambitious based on my current fitness level. I blame the stress and snacks that Hurricane Irma swept in! She was a big heffa, you ‘member? I was moving forward but “Imma own this!” had devolved into “Ugh let’s finish and get breakfast.” Then the most amazing thing happened.

“Hi Daphne! You’re beautiful! You’re doing great, keep going!”

Several different waves of emotion came over me. Thankfulness for being Daphne’s niece. Humbled by the fact that she can still touch lives, 7 years after her death. GUILT! For whining about a slow pace in a healthy body. This woman who God brought to me at just the right time was cheering ME on. I am complaining about fighting 3.1 miles and she is literally fighting for her life.  I learned later that she also serves on the board of the foundation that puts on the race. Man. I suck for thinking that I suck. I started running a bit more and digging until the end.

I need to pray for the spirit of people like that amazing lady and Auntie Daph to fill me, not just when I run but in my every day life. Every step God gives us is a blessing and it’s my prayer that I start to act like it!