Running and Reflecting

I have to brag! Of course I do! It IS all about ME here, you know!

Today was our long run - 6 miles (which really turned out to be about 6.6 miles, by the way). Now the furthest Bullseye and I have been able to run is a little more than 3 miles so today we knew we'd be walking part of the route but that was okay, we would do our best and try to run most of it. At the meeting before the run, our coach said that the long runs were not supposed to be about speed, but instead, about endurance. At that, the speed pressure was lifted from our shoulders and we were happy to "take it easy." As if...

Bullseye and I decided to walk the first 1/2 mile to get our legs warmed up. We found out in training during the week that this warm up period makes a big difference in how we run and how we feel. It's totally worth the time it takes us.

We started running a little before reaching the half mile mark and felt good. We ran right past the point where we had to stop the last time we were on this road, which was a big boost in our confidence! Things were going really well!

We continuously asked each other, "You doing okay?" and each time it was a "Yep!" so we KEPT GOING! We were in awe of our strength and were amazed how well we felt. Neither of us were struggling and both of us felt great! We even carried on conversations from time to time.

We came to the bottom of a VERY LARGE UGLY HILL and decided to trot up it (slowly jogging in little steps) instead of trying to actually run at the same pace we had been keeping. It is a MAJOR HILL - 119th near Thomas Jefferson Middle School for those of you that know the Felida area. UGLY HILL. Anyway, we made it up the hill, caught our breath, and continued on. RUNNING!

We were going to run as far as we could and amazingly, we "still could" and there was no reason to stop! We really couldn't believe it! We chalked it up to great coaches and kept going! I even did a few dance moves along the way because I honestly felt FANTASTIC! (I'm sorry if you were in one of the cars passing us by and had to witness that but really, I was happy!)

We ended up running all the way! WE RAN SIX MILES! Talk about being proud... WOW!

WE DID IT!


I don't think this smile is ever going to leave my face! I can't help but think about how far I have come. I've had seven back surgeries. I was morbidly obese. I've been nearly crippled and nearly dead (seriously) from back issues, surgeries and infections. My spine is fused at two levels. I had to use a walker after the fusion. I was told I was going to eventually be sitting in a wheelchair. I was told there was nothing more they could do for me. I was told, "This is about as good as it's going to get."

Well, those doctors just did not know who they were dealing with! I proved them ALL wrong! Oh, if only they could see me now!

I found my inner strength, my confidence and my will to survive. I found my physical strength, determination and the ability to turn "I can't!" into "I can!"

I am standing on top of the world right now!