Big Girl Goes for the Gold!

Ok, maybe I didn't win the gold...but today I felt victorious! I ran my first ever 5K race and crossing that finish line was a feeling like none other. I truly started tearing up when the finish line first came into sight. I couldn't believe I was actually going to do it. This has been a goal of mine for several years now, I've just never made it happen. I finished in 39 minutes and 10 seconds. It is definitely not a good time, but an accomplishment none the less. I'm pretty proud of this big girl, I wasn't really sure if I would ever get to the point that I could continuously run 3 miles. It's still pretty horrible right now...nothing about it is easy. And I am slow, SUPER slow. But not matter how slow I run, I'm still lapping all those on the couch, right?! I like to remind myself of that frequently. It was a pretty day for a race, but it was HOT. Even at 7am it was sticky, the air was thick, and it felt like we were running through soup. What else would I expect running on the 4th of July?! But we did it!

My sisterinlaw Julie ran the race with me today. She ran a half marathon just a few months ago. She's pretty awesome! Jules could have easily ran the race this morning in under 30 minutes, but she ran right by my side,supporting me all the way. I am so glad she was there! She really kept me going that last half mile. If she hadn't been there I probably would have walked, then I would have been so upset with myself.

I knew that Justin and Addy were coming to see me, but coming around that last corner and seeing my sweet little girl waving and cheering really made it all worth it. A giant wave of motivation rushed over me and I decided to go for it. Julie and I picked it up and ran hard the last little bit. A strong finish! I am proud of me, but most of all I am proud to be setting a positive example of healthy living for my little girl. I want to teach her the importance of having a healthy, strong body and the correct ways to do it. I don't want her to ever do some of the unhealthy things I've done like yo yo dieting and diet pills. Those methods are temporary and potentially dangerous. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising are the way to go. I feel and look better than I have since....since I can remember. My 30 year old self is definitely better than the 20 year old version.

I post and write a lot about weight loss and my struggle with a healthy body image. It is a battle every day. Some days I win, some I lose. But I can say that I am happy with where I am right now and the way I look. I have more work to do, areas to improve on, and I still have 8 more pounds to go to reach my goal weight...but I believe I can do it. I believe I will do it. I can also say that I look forward to running. That is something I NEVER thought would come out of my mouth. Don't get me wrong, I don't love it right now. It's hard, I often feel like I'm dying, and my body hurts so bad afterwards...but I know that the more I do it, the better I will get. My goal now is to continue running the 5K distance and work to lower my time to 35 minutes. It might take a while, but I'm ok with that. I will be more ok with that when the temperatures are not in the high 90s and 100s for sure :) Come on fall! I don't know how many, if anyone, actually reads this blog, but if you do and you are one of my facebook friends I would really like to thank you for commenting on and liking my running status updates. Your support and encouragement means so much and it truly inspires me to do more! Here are a few race day pictures for you :)

Daddy and Addy come to cheer us on!

Julie and I heading towards the finish line!

We did it!
- Please know that I had just downed a grape powerade- my teeth are not always that awful color :)

Mommy and The Princess

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY Y'ALL!