Well, I have hit the 25 pound mark in weight lost, and I feel good.
I am seeing improvement in my stamina, my strength, and recovery. I can actually run 2 miles or so without stopping!
My clothes fit better…well, for the most part. I have to take my dress pants in to get them altered, and my work shirts have quite a bit of volume to them now, but it's all good.
Nicole and our friends have been such an encouragement to me, and that has helped tremendously.
250 doesn't seem so daunting a goal as it was when I started.
I participated in my first race on Saturday. While Nicole, her sister Erica, and Erica's husband Ben ran the Mini, I took part in the 5K. I finished it in 47:52, and I was 2484th out of 3614 people. My goal was 45 minutes, so I didn't hit that mark, but I am ok with that. I had prepared for the race solely on treadmills, so I never got a feel for how a real world pace should be. I made up for my slowness by running the last .75 miles intermittently, so I know that I could've hit my mark with proper understanding of pacing.
I have never believed that I could do something like this. I had resigned myself to being out of shape and not very active physically. That ended on Saturday. I listened to my doubts instead of the One who created me. Despite the fact that I've done well with my weight loss and workouts, I had doubts, but He has never stopped encouraging me. I guess it took my running a race to realize that He is right there with me.
I told Nicole that I was considering doing the mini next year, and she said that she knows I can do it. I talked to some friends on Sunday, and they said I could do it. Some of them are doing a half-marathon in November and said I should try it. After thinking about it and talking to Nicole, I think I can too. I have plenty of time to prepare, and I have people in place who will help (Nicole just got drafted to be my coach).
I have no delusions that it'll be easy. I know it's hard work, and it's going to take time and patience, but with God, it's possible. And when I run this race, it won't matter my place or my time. All that matters is that I finish it.
I will run it as best I can. Just like I live my life for Him.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. – Acts 20:24
