13 Hours & 9 Minutes

If any of you are ever in need of 9 weeks to pass quickly, sign up for a race. Especially a 10K. Just 9 very short weeks ago, I thought I was crazy starting all of this running stuff. I still think I'm crazy, but with a little more confidence. I can't tell you that I'm totally prepared, but I definitely feel like I'll be able to finish tomorrow. Yes, it is in less than 13 hours as of right now. It seems hard to believe.

There are things I would have done different, of course. Like push myself harder to run more often. There are times, though, that I would push myself so that counts right? I walked/ran a total now of 96 miles! My goal was 50. I aim in the middle if it is something I'm not  quite sure I can achieve. In this case, I am very proud of myself. I overcame a few obstacles and what's great is that after the race, I can keep going! I plan on keeping up with my training for another race. I feel so good that I've come this far that I cannot possibly let myself down and quit. I have met so many people that have encouraged me and in turn I've had the opportunity to encourage others to exercise. This is an opportunity that I never thought possible for someone with a nature to be lazy.

I guess I am still in the process of knocking down those giants in my life, but I know for one thing that my confidence and endurance in staring them down is getting stronger. I feel now more than ever that my exercise goals are achievable because I am not looking at a big picture here. I am just taking one step at a time.

Well, I ended up buying running shoes, but I bought at Academy because it's what was in my budget. And they make my feet feel great when I run. I am getting stronger every day and I intend to keep this up. Why stop now? Tomorrow is my first 10K. I am nervous. Very nervous. But excited. I think mixed emotions would better describe it. There's a lot going on in my mind, but I know for sure my body feels in shape to do this! If you guessed that my next post will be a picture of me crossing the finish line, you guessed right. I can't wait to cross the line....and keep on going.

Ready, set........

"Focus on your giants, you tumble;

Focus on God, your giants will fall."

---Max Lucado



Just Do It

Before starting my run, each time I stretch a little then say a prayer for continued good health, strength and focus. I am a person who overanalyzes everthing. I mean everything. And I was was not going to overanalyze this running thing. I decided that I would just go for it. No diet. No weight loss goal. No plan. Just do it. I didn't study running on the internet. I didn't even purchase running shoes. I just used what I had and decided to get out there. So khaki shorts and my Saints T-shirt was my choice. Who dat?

After the first week, I can't say it got easier. It is not impossible, but it's not easy for me to run before work so I chose to run after work. On rough days at work it was hard to get off the couch so I would have my shoes and clothes ready for when I got home. Annabelle would run with me when I needed motivation. I never  thought it was important to live a healthy life for Annabelle to learn. Even though we eat candy and chips at times, most of the time we choose healthier foods and this running has incorporated exercise. On other days we get outside and do something or play our Wii. My niece, Katie, who is also a runner, was a big factor in my start and helping keep going. Encouragement from my wife, friends, and family was the boost I needed.

Another motivation for me is feeling better at 40. Not only by blood test results, but physically feeling good, as well as mentally. It's always been on my mind to "do something" but it took turning 40 for it to remind me how my body is not young anymore. I need to trick it to feel younger. And the only way was to get off the couch. I guess I'm analyzing again, right? Whatever it took I was determined to get started and keep going! Enough excuses already.

When I run, I sweat. A LOT. I think of that sweat pouring out as a detox of all the negativity I have felt about myself for many years. At first glance, I convince others that I am very confident, but on the inside I don't always feel that way. When it comes to my health, I feel terrible, but now it's getting better since I'm doing something about it. It's up to ME! Sometimes there are tears and I'm not ashamed of that either. There hasn't been blood, but I'm not hoping for that. Sweat and tears is enough. I've been through 91 miles of a rough road these past weeks and I truly can't believe it. With only SIX days left of training I am feeling some doubt, but I have to work through that this week and just do it!

"Never limit yourself."

---Me

7 Days

One day after I began this journey, I decided to join Lafayette's Cajun Cup 10K Run. I felt so motivated by so many people that first day, I knew I had to do it. It was one of those things where you feel so motivated, excited, nervous, anxious all in one. Then you just commit to do it. Then when you're all alone riding home you have second thoughts, but you know you could never back out of it. Well, that's kind of how I felt. I put myself out there as fearless, but I was full of fear on the inside.

I went home and download the Couch to 10K app on my iPhone. This was just a start. I studied the app (ironically as I sat on the couch) and it became clear that I could never run for 5 minutes and walk for 5 minutes 13 times?! In one day? I resisted temptation to see how rough it would be in Week 12 when I'd be supposedly "ready" for the race. So I stuck to looking at Week 1 and no further. To be honest, I didn't think I'd make it to Week 12 so why look anyway?

My very first walk outside of my comfort zone (the church parking lot where the "nice", supportive people are) was in our neighborhood. I was afraid. Very afraid. Why? I'm not sure. I didn't want people to judge me and say, "Wow, what is he doing? He's going to have a heart attack running like that. Is that even running? Bless his heart." I just put my mind to it, turned up my music and started walking. If I'd pass a house with it's door closed I'd start to run. If a house would have a door open or if a car would come down my road, I'd walk. I can't explain why it felt so awkward. I guess it was pride.

Very early in my walk, I encountered every mail delivery person and runner's nightmare. A big dog. I am not afraid of dogs, but this one was intimidating. When I noticed his owner I was relieved until his owner turned his back and Satan (my name for the dog) started to come toward me. As my app spoke to me it said, "Run Now." I chose not to since I knew I couldn't outrun Satan. His mouth came toward my ankles like a lion and I was the innocent rhino. I've seen Animal Planet and knew this wouldn't end well so I just kept walking slowly. Finally out of his sight I decided to run. I tried to start to ignore everything around me or I would never even complete a mile. I was ridiculously anxious I know. I knew I had to focus and not let anything distract me. The dog, the passing cars, the open doors....all Satan's (the real deal, not the dog) tactics to try and put obstacles in my way.

I listened to my music and one verse after another in each song spoke to me. From facing my fears, letting go, and giving God control of it all. Really letting go. I knew that was the only way that I could do this. To keep doing this. To continue on this journey.

During Week 1, I walked & ran 16 miles and never once was bitten by Satan! He actually doesn't even come by me anymore. I still don't believe that I actually finished Week 1. Was it easy? NO! It was hard. VERY hard to keep going. But it's not by my strength that I run this race.

"When you are on a rough path,

God always provides the right shoes."

---Corrie Ten Boom