Pieces of Me

Yesterday... I discovered a new "piece" of me. I was participating in my very first 10K race. I have been training for a Half Marathon for months, never really considered doing a 10K which probably would be a natural progression from a 5K prior to attempting the Half Marathon. So here I am ONE WEEK before the BIG race and my sister talked me into doing the 10K in the Track Shack's Founder's Day Race in Celebration.

I was really looking forward to it, maybe a little nervous because it was my very first 10K, but otherwise fine. The weather was PERFECT, you couldn't have asked for a better day.

I started the race, and since I run/walk my races I am not the speediest racer on the block by any means. I am doing this for my health, for myself, for the wonderful feeling of accomplishment it provides me. I love the adrenaline rush and the continual training that allows me to get better. I love the fact that my sister and I have finally been able to spend lots of time bonding after many years of raising our children, who of course were very different. She has 3 boys and I had 1 girl. Not

much in common there other than they are our children. Anyway... I love that I feel better, stronger, and emotionally healthy. (others may disagree on this point, nonetheless since I am writing this blog I can say what I want!)

Now... back to the race! I started off and the course thru Celebration is just beautiful, picture perfect... It's like a "Stepford" town. Everything is perfect and beautiful. My first two miles are slow.... really slow... my body aches, my shins hurt and I am asking... "Where the heck are my endorphins, they should be kicking in by now". Finally as I am passing by the water stop at mile marker #2, I suddenly start to feel great, the pain is gone, my pace picks up and I am ready to kick asphalt... at least as much as a newbie joggywalker can do. Passing by miles, 3, 4, 5, and then 6... is great THEN it happens. Talk about hitting a BRICK wall? What about hundreds of people blocking your pathway to the FINISH LINE? I see the 5k-er's lining up for the next race and they are rows deep and wide... no one is moving to let me or the other less fast, or shall I say slower joggywalkers finish OUR race. I decide to start running and head straight into the mass of bodies... people suddenly start to move to the side after this wonderful man in a "Boston Marathon" t-shirt screams for people to move aside and gives me a big "Thumbs up" and "Good job". I press on to the Finish Line and I am MAD.... My first 10 K and I had to fight to the finish! After numerous not so nice words about what happened and my sister calming me down, I was able to relax and savor the important moments and reflect on what really counts.

What really matters is the I FINISHED A 10 K, whereas, strolling across the parking lot not too long ago was a challenge!!!! I am strong! I am healthy and looking forward to my next adventure. I found the part of me that perseveres, that is competitive, the part of me that "Dreams, Trains, and Achieves"!

My new doctor is wonderful and supportive, I met with her today and she gave me the results of my lab work... For the first time that I can remember... everything was wonderful. All that exercise, working out, and eating right actually works! Perfect glucose, cholestrol, triglycerides, kidney and liver functions, thyroid regulated, wonderful I am an athlete, so she says... My only glitch in my bloodwork which kept me from getting a PERFECT result was I have a Vitamin D deficiency. So.... I need more sunlight and chocolate milk. Got the prescription for a vacation in the islands and loads of 1% Chocolate Milk.... Now I can have it post work out and not feel guilty. MILK... it does your body good!