The Second Mile: Race Day

Today, June 5, 2010 at 7:45 a.m. EST I crossed the starting line of my first ever 10K. It was a humid run but the rain held off until after I crossed the finish line with my friend Amy at a time of 1:02.07 (10:01 pace... the fastest pace I've ever had). I finished 763 out of 1207, 301 out of 603 in the gender division and 45 out of 94 in my age division. As I ran through the tunnel going into Notre Dame Stadium, and crossed the finish line at the 50 yard line, I admit I cried. I did it! That once upon-a-time fat girl just ran 6.2 miles non-stop, damn hills and all.

I thought about this race a lot and dedicated it to many different people in my life:
Mile One - My heavenly Father who blessed me with the ABILITY, the COURAGE, and the DETERMINATION to run. I felt him guide every one of my footsteps.
Mile Two - My husband who truly believes I can do anything I want to do. He has faith in my ability even when I don't. And, he puts up with my running addiction without any complaints.
Mile Three - My son, Brendyn. If it wasn't for him, I may not have ever gotten the determination to get healthy. The day he was born, I realized I was born to be a role model and all excuses had to go out the window.
Mile Four - My daughter, Krystyna. She exemplifies what it means for me to be a woman and mother. I have teach her to one day be an amazing mother and woman and a test such as what I completed today is just one lesson I have taught her.
Mile Five - My brother. I want him to understand that if you want something with all your heart, nothing can stop you.
Mile Six - My mother-in-law who never thought I would lose the weight. Who always says, "You can't do that." Well, I one-uped Nike: I JUST DID IT!
The last .2 - Each step I dedicate to another race that I'm going to kick butt in.

Next Up: The Third Mile