Hope's 5K Experience

Oh my goodness!  I did it! (Crystal did too, but I will let her tell you all about her experience.)  I was a little nervous the week leading up to the 5K because I had never run outside, so I wasn't sure if my legs would hold up against the pounding on the asphalt, and I wasn't sure that I could keep my pace without having my treadmill do it for me.  Lots of things were running through my mind as the day approached:  What if it's windy?  What if it's rainy?  What if I just can't do it?  I couldn't seem to get these questions out of my mind.  But, by Friday, my worries were gone and the excitement hit me.  This was it! This was the day that was going to change the way that I felt about myself.  No longer did I want to be the person sitting on the couch watching "The Biggest Loser" and wishing that something fantastic like that could happen to me.  I didn't want to play the If only... game anymore.  You know what I'm talking about:  If only I had better genes....  If only I didn't sweat so much....  If only I had a running partner....  If only I had more time....  The list of excuses goes on and on.  Race day was the day that I was no longer going to WISH that I was that girl that could do it, but I was going to BE that girl that could do it!  I made up my mind that no matter what, I was not going to walk, not even one step.  I had run more than the 5K distance on the treadmill, so I thought that surely, when push came to shove, I would be able to do it.  Well, I did it!  And, it felt great!  My official time was 38:15, which I am so happy with.  My goal was to finish in under 40 minutes.  It wasn't easy, and actually the last 1/2 mile was a killer, but I did it!  I will never forget the feeling that I had as I crossed the finish line.  It has given me motivation to run more and run faster!  I can't wait to do it again!

Crystal and me with our bibs for the race!

My husband, Kenny, and me before heading out to the corral.

My official time!

My bib and medal.

While I was running, I would say to myself Ben's little phrase that means so much:

"If you want to do it, all you have to do is do it!"

~Hope