I finished a 5K!!!

Yep.... it's on that list. I think they call it a "bucket list" now.  You know, that list of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket."   Running at least a 5K race was on mine.   So for weeks I have been going to the walking track near my home and "wogging" 3+ miles.

http://www.cherishkids.org/

Then I saw this 5K sponsored by a local church that raised money and awareness for adoption/foster children.  Viola'!  How perfect, check off an item on my bucket list and support one of my favorite causes. That was my goal until 3 weeks ago when the evil shin splints tried to stop me.  For two weeks I didn't walk at all.  Then last week I returned to slowly walk the track.  A lady who also regularly walks there stopped to ask me how I was doing.  We struck up a conversation and it turns out she attends that church and wanted to run the 5K also.  She said, "Hey!  Just walk it... with me!!!" [See... God is so good... gives me incentive and a walking buddy.]

So I woke up this morning, donned my Healthcare Ministries shirt, grabbed my hat and drove to the check in.   Ahhhh!  Powerade in the morning... better than coffee! 

It was a little intimidating to walk into a crowd of people who look as if they had all been running since birth and check in for a race.  That was nothing compared to when I was at the check in.   First, I had to tell my age...... then, the nice lady asked me if I planned to run the race under so many minutes.... I laughed!  She put me in "the second group". 

See my sweeties waiting - MM is taking the pics.

I then found my walking budding in the mass of people. [over 1000 runners] We waved and clapped for "the first group" of runners who were actually finishing their race before the rest of us even started.  Next the gun shot [yes, they still do that] to signify our start time and the mass of people started moving.  It was like being a fish in a large pack moving rapidly through the currents.... [I felt like yelling out the words from "Finding Nemo"..."Do you have your exit buddy!"... I resisted the urge though.] 

Me and my "exit buddy"!

After a while the herd thinned and lengthened and we all found our pace [mine being quite slow due to getting over the evil shin splints].  My "exit buddy" and I talked and enjoyed the beautiful weather and countryside that we were traversing through.  We laughed at some of the children walking, cheered at all who passed by, smiled at the older walkers and admired very much those hard-core runners.  It was a good day.  We hit the midway point and started the return trip.  We then started to approach the finish area. I grabbed my cell to call my family and tell them I was coming.  [My "exit buddy" and I had decided to pretend to jog the last part for the pictures and the kids... so, don't let the pictures fool ya'! ;o)] 

See that cute kid following me down the finish line?!

What a thrill to see my little chickadees and Missionary Man at the finish line... waving me in and cheering for me.  I think it must be just a little of what it feels like when that "great cloud of witnesses" cheers us home and our Savior stands at the finish line smiling and welcoming us home.  Sigh....

That cute kid caught me.... awwww!

My walking buddy and I agreed that next year we shall both run the 5K... the kids want to run it too! 

One small item checked off the bucket list..... and all it took was a little encouragement from a new friend.

Hooray!  Mom made it!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

What's on your bucket list???