Why I run 5Ks

Crushed my Personal Best by nearly two minutes today (33:24 unofficial)!! But wait - there's a story (and you know me - it's long-winded - so read if you want).

So, I watched "McFarland USA" last night, a story about an unlikely cross-country team. I was so inspired by it - I told myself "today, I'm setting a new PB - period!". There is a character in the movie (Danny I think), he's the overweight kid who will NEVER EVER win a cross-country race. But what he can do (and does do) is run his best every single step of every single race. I'm that character, I'm overweight (especially compared to most runners), I will NEVER EVER win a 5k - but what I CAN do is my very best for every single step of the race - every step every mile. In the movie Danny has to go up a steep hill (much steeper than today's 5k) - and he does it - "he's an ox". There were two hills today and instead of slowing my pace - I decided as I approached the hills to conquer the hills, the run my FASTEST pace up the hills - a big "in your face to the hills". And I did.

And, when I wanted to slow my pace - I didn't (at least I don't think I did). And nearing the 2.5 mile marker, I was hitting a wall, I didn't know I was on a PB pace, but I was running my hardest ever - and I just wanted to slow - just slow down so I could have a great photo-op fast paced finish. I hit a wall. But then, almost like magic, there were members of the Kankakee River Running Club Group cheering me on - by name. WHAT A BOOST!!! Second wind kicked in immediately. And I didn't slow my pace one bit, I think I went faster even, because I didn't want any of the gang to see my pace slow, not even one bit. And I finished the 5k stronger than I started it.

I could see the finish line, my body wanted to slow down - but there it was - the finish line - and as I got closer I could see the clock - and I pushed harder - and finished my first ever race in the 33s - first time ever!

And that feeling - at the finish line - THAT IS WHY I RUN.

Now, prior to all of this, I was watching people finish the 10k and 1/2 Marathon which started earlier - and the looks on their faces - that of exhaustion AND ACCOMPLISHMENT. And I remember thinking - man, I so admire these runners - and thinking "look at that sense of accomplishment" on their faces - look at those smiles! And THAT also motivated me to run my little 5k as best as I could!

Thank you to members of the KRRC!!! And congrats to EVERY SINGLE RUNNER in every single race that finished the event - you are my heroes!

And thank you God for giving me the ability to do this - and for the friends and support group that you have provided - and for helping all us have a safe race!

"I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength" - Philippians 4:13