A family that runs 5ks together... Runs... 5ks... Together. (My new PR!)

Hey, how'd this happen?

That is a new personal record, my friends.

...and this is a 3rd place (age group) trophy!

Have you ever had a really good feeling about something even when odds seem against you?  You know that feeling- you can't decide whether you want to tell every single person you see or keep it as a firey burning hot secret to delight in all by yourself? 

In spite of the fact that I woke up with a debilitating headache (complete with nauseous fun) I knew.  I even knew I'd take third, not first or second. Not sure why, but there was a certainty rooted within me that was unshakable.  This is unusual for me- I'm not typically this confident about my athletic ability.  Most of the time at the start of a race, I'm simply honored.  Humble.  Delighted and grateful that I even find myself worthy of showing up at all. 

I still am/was all those things.  Last year, I ran this race- The Pre-Father's Day 5k in Wanamassa- on the eve of my very first marathon with my youngest son.  The year before, I took joyful delight in running this very course with him as his very first 5k.  I had anxiously awaited that day since he was about three years old. Now this year, I was going to run this race as my own.  My middle child was assigned the role of photographer.  My oldest child was running in the age 15-19 category and knew that his chance of placing in his age group (as he did for two consecutive years) drastically shrunk because of his new level of competition, but he was still committed,  Why?

Because this is a family event.  Who else but my boys were running amongst brother, father, step-father, and mom? 

Me and our photographer/13 year old son.

My husband and my oldest.  The boy grew overnight.  For real.

Dying but very much alive at the same time.  Do you know this feeling?

No age group placement this year, but no quitter either.

2nd 5k- race.  This is just the beginning for my husband.

Walk/jog with his Dad this year.  Signature sprint to the finish!

Couch to 5k- week 6. Goal accomplished- walk/jog in less than 40 min.

To physically display a celebration of health amongst the people you love the most is a celebration like no other.  I experienced this on my wedding anniversary in April and here my family was again together at a race enjoying sky, road, sweat, breath, life and real living.

Now do not mistake my confidence for effortlessness.  Every stride and every breath was strain.  Every other phrase that went through my head was "almost there" or "you can do it" or "don't slow down now" or "it's only temporary".  While some of you can run this pace (8:20 min/mile) with a bum leg, and some of you predict that you'll never match it, you all know that feeling of great hope and determination- the way it takes hold of you and you fight like hell to stay in it's grip.  The numbers don't matter.  The fact that there was something on this Saturday morning that was solely mine to fight for and work for and earn is sacred.  Times like this do not get dropped in your lap.  You have to capture and seize them for yourself.  Try it.  You don't have to be a runner- just find something worth fighting for between you and yourself, for no one else but yourself.  You'll find a sweet fulfillment and contentment that you might have otherwise never known.  Find a challenge and work through it with every known part of who you are- mind, soul, muscle, fear, joy, past, present, and hopeful future.  Conquer it.  And don't even listen to the words of those who think it's anything less than incredible.  Times like this do not get dropped in your lap.  Get up.  Get rid of your lap for awhile.  Go find yours.