For my 40th year on this planet I decided that I should do something out...of..the..ordinary...for...me! Turning 40 will do that for ya! Anyway......I decided back in December that as I approached another milestone in my life, I would do something different. SO, I returned to running. Although this time I had a whole new outlook on it. I have had some major accomplishments this past year, I returned to and finished school with my AA degree, graduating with that in December. I felt it only appropriate to mark the occassion of my approaching 40th Birthday with something else that would be a first for me.....running farther than I ever thought I could! So, I did. I started the week leading up to Christmas. (I know, bad timing huh?) But I thought that it would be good for me to be disciplined through the holidays...and I was.
Shortly after I started running I decided that I was going to look at it through a different set of eyes; deciding that I needed to view my journey as one of "how far can I go?"...rather than one of "how fast can I get to the point at which I can stop!" And, after all I'd finally finished something that had taken a very long time to do, my AA degree with my sights now set on my BS degree! I'll digress here for a moment and say.....I did this, even though I had to get through one last math class(which is not my thing and my last Algebra class was nearly 10 years ago)! Even though I had to suffer through two Anatomy and Physiology Classes with a professer who is himself an MD! (An Attorney, and a Medical Examiner AND Retired Navy Officer after 36 years! - C.A.N. Y.O.U. ...S.A.Y....O.V.E.R...A.C.H.I.E.V.E.R?!) Anyway, I do digress! I mention these things to say this, there were many times throughout this past year that the ugly head of "self-doubt" reared itself. I thought as I studied every single bone in the human body and had to remember it all on a test without any MATCHING sections that I could not do it....I should just quit! Afterall, why in the heck was I trying to finish my AA at my age!? What did it matter anyway?!
Then I decided that if I quit, I would just be doing what had gotten me in the same place where I sat; 20+ years out of high school and stilling trying to finish what I'd started way back then...SO I preserved....moved forward. Pushed my way through and guess what!? Not only did I make an A in both of my A&P classes but my grades were so good in A&P I that I was exempt from the final, and in A&P II I got an A as well...I did have to take the oral final with my teacher but got an A on that one too! Then it was on to Math...one last hurdle! There were times during that summer semester as well where the ugly head of fear and doubt reared itself.....BUT I preserved and on December 14, 2010 I earned my AA degree with a 3.87 GPA! (I had a 4.0 until my B in math...but what the heck, I finished) I was so excited and proud.....but I do have to stop here and say that without God and leaning on HIM as I worked to juggle a full-time job (as a supervisor with a large medical practice), full-time school, Coordinator of our nursery department at our church (which has a membership of over 600 total church members, not nursery members, but just the same, our church is pretty big for our little town) , and being a full-time Mom and Wife.....I could not have done any of this without the LORD! So as I moved toward 40 I thought that another milestone would be appropriate! So, I started running in December with a new outlook on it....and then this past Saturday, I ran the GATE RIVER RUN (Saturday, 3/12/2011!) I finished in just under 2 hours; 1:58:57 to be exact and I could not have felt better! I certainly was not the fastest but I kept reminding myself, "the tortoise beat the hare, afterall"...and all that really mattered was that I never gave up! It was an exhilarating day and an event of a lifetime! I was nervous going into it and wanted to be sure that I could do it without stopping, NO WALKING, I wanted to RUN the whole time.....
As I began to think about the event, pray about it and train for it, I knew, that IF I set my mind to do it, I COULD! I also thought of one of my favorite verses....Phillipians 4:13.....truth is, with Him all things are possible!
Of course there was a lot of praying throughout the run, prayer that I would not have to stop, prayer that I wouldn't twist my ankle; or because of all that water-drinking, prayer that I would NOT have to go the bathroom! Wouldn't that just be my luck, finally, a milestone day in my life and I have to stop because I have to use the port-a-pot! That would have been A.W.F.U.L! Anyway, thankfully, God was there with me the whole way, He pushed me onward and even at the bottom of the GREEN MONSTER - HE WAS THERE! We made it and I am so very thankful that He cares about even the small stuff...being able to say that I completed the Gate River Run with my Lord and Savior matters even to HIM.....THANK YOU LORD that I did it with you....To quote Jill, my friend and running extraordinaire....."There is no better running partner" and she is right! He is there each time I put on my running shoes....I have learned to rely on Him for many things throughout my life.....and I am thankful that each and every time I call on Him, He shows up! Even to run with me........
Thank you Lord for another year of life....my 40th year and thank you for always being there when I call YOU! You are an AWESOME GOD!
Till next time.......
Here is picture of the occassion...OH and I almost forgot...MAL ran with me the whole way too....He's not too bad a running partner either!! (Mal is actually the "runner" in this family but he stayed with me the whole time even though my miles are 11-12 minute ones and his are usually 8 minute ones...he slowed down to hang with me and I appreciate that more than words can say). Our GOD is awesome and I am thankful for a wonderful husband who ain't too bad either.....
It was a fabulous day! One I will NEVER forget!
This was taken after the run...I was still standing....I was grateful!
