Dead or Alive

So today I did a 5k. I say that so easily, but just 6 months ago I wouldn't have thought I would be doing one. A couple weeks ago I had really bad shin splints and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do the run today, but I rested them and took it slow and they got better.
So this morning I got up and got dressed up (it was a costume run) and got ready to leave. I ate my banana and drank a lot of water. I was all ready.
We pulled up and I was feeling a little nervous and excited. Nervous about running that far and excited about running that far. I had done a 5k before, but wanted to run more of it this time.
My friend Rachel was there to run it with me. She is great and pushing me to do things that I wouldn't do on my own. 

My cheer leaders! They kept saying "Go mama go!"

Just around that bend it drops right down into a steep hill

 It started and finished at the same place so at the beginning we would get to see what the end would be like...it was a nasty hill.

heading to the starting line

We started and going down that hill was a breeze. I felt really good and was ready to kick some butt. When I started getting tired I told myself to just make it to the first mile marker and then I could walk a little. Well that mile marker never showed up. I started seeing people coming back after turning around and figured I was very far behind if they were already coming back. I went around a bend and saw the half way point. I ran all the way to the half way point without stopping to walk! I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little teary. I was a tad overwhelmed with my abilities. As I kept running and thought about the excuses I make for myself. I told myself I could walk once I did a mile even though I admitted to myself that I knew I could probably do more. Then it hit me. Why don't I do more? I know I can. Not knowing that I had run a mile helped me push further. I ignored my excuses and kept going. I did walk a bit, but found it easier to jog because my legs were used to the motion and walking was awkward. I started to get really tired and then I remembered my kids cheering for me. I heard them saying "go mama go" and I knew I could do it. I wasn't going to be the fastest, but I was going to finish. I dug deep-I may have even let out a little war cry as I push up over a hill. I got to the hill that was such a breeze to run down and I had to walk.
I made it to the top of the hill and saw Sterling watching for me. I started running and knew I would run across that finish line.

At the of the hill and ready to run across the finish line

Almost there! I swear I am running even though it looks like I am walking

Yes, I wore my mask the whole time!

I'm not a fast runner, but I did my best!

It is hard to explain the feeling I felt as I crossed that line. I was overwhelmed with my abilities and so proud of myself for pushing through the doubt.  I was tired, but felt so energized at the same time. I had done something I didn't think I could do. I ran more than I thought I could and I did it myself. Well not totally myself. I prayed before I started and ask for help to find my run rhythm and that I could stay strong. It was great to see my Waussie girl cheering for me and putting out her hand for a high five.
So there you go. I survived the Dead or Alive 5k!