BelovedHeather
Cathlete
I did it! I fought the good fight! I finished the race! I completed my first 5K this morning! I have been dreaming of running since I started my fitness journey. Cathe’s picture of "triumph and glory" on the November page of her 2008 calendar inspired me and sparked a fire in my heart. Instead of putting this dream on hold until I reach my goal weight, I decided to rise up, embrace the challenge, walk by faith, and see my hopes and dreams become reality now. I do not look or feel like a runner at this weight and size, but I have faith and a determined focus. All things are possible for those who believe, and I can rise above food strongholds and obesity and soar on wings like an eagle by God's grace. The mountain I am facing is huge, but I can move it by faith! The task ahead of me is never as great as the POWER behind me!
A few weeks ago, I saw an application for a Rhythm 5K (to support a local choir), and my heart skipped a beat. I just knew that the time was now for me to make the transition from dreaming to doing! A friend and I went to the race site 2 weeks ago and walked as much of the hilly course as we could in 48 minutes. I had never walked more than a mile at a time in my life and had no concept of how far 3.1 miles would be! We got in the car and drove around the path we walked and discovered that we walked 2.4 miles in 48 minutes (which was a 20-minute mile).
Those hills are butt burners! Oh my! I was hoping for a flat course for my first 5K. I can do all things through Christ! Yes, I can! I decided to take a leap of faith and walk the Rhythm 5K today. My goal was to simply finish the course this first time, but my desire was to finish in less than an hour. After years of Cathe cardio, it is amazing how challenging something as simple as walking can be when my body has not yet adapted to it! My game plan was to walk this first 5K and get in shape to run one by the end of the year (when I am hopefully lighter on my feet and not carrying the weight of another person).
I did not have an opportunity to train at all between the time I registered and now. I was planning a few long walks this week but was sidelined by an ice storm and a stomach bug. I prayed that I would be strong enough to finish! Thankfully, my friend Rebecca was game and joined me. She is one of my cheerleaders and encouragers.
I put on my game face and my STS tee shirt and drove to the park this morning. My bib number was 28, the size of my jeans! I can see why the Cheetahs love these races. It is such a fun atmosphere with music playing and people cheering. I got wrapped up in the excitement at the starting line and sprinted the first quarter mile before I realized that I needed to pace myself so I could make it to the finish line! LOL! The first hill humbled me and forced me to slow down and walk. The middle mile or more was all hills. Oh my! I baptized one of those hills with my tears. Coach Sean’s encouragement (in the original Volume 2 and Volume 3) inspired me to keep pressing on, silence the wimp within, and start living like a warrior! I prayed, I cried, I shouted for joy when I passed the whoopers and cheerleaders, but I kept pressing on! A cute guy in a Gator cart drove by every few minutes to encourage me because I was alone for the whole race. All the experienced runners were way ahead of me. I was so thankful for a cup of cold water at the halfway point after a series of challenging hills until the water giver also gave me the bad news that I needed to turn around and tackle those hills again with no recovery time. Oh my word! This is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. My feet were burning, and I was huffing and puffing as I hauled 274 pounds of fluff up and down those hills again! If you have never been overweight, you will have to take my word that it makes a BIG difference in athletic performance. LOL!
I rejoiced in my heart when one of the guys came alongside and encouraged me that I was on the last hill. I knew that I would make it! When I circled around the last loop and saw the finish line, I tuned my iPod to "Shackles" so I could finish strong and do the happy dance. The fun part about finishing next to last is having 100+ people cheering for you at the finish line! I saw the timer and realized that I could make my goal of less than an hour if I started running again. I sprinted with all my heart and crossed the finish line at 55 minutes and 44 seconds! Yes! This is a huge victory for me. My life has been characterized by too much failure and defeat. For the first time in my life, I set a fitness goal and accomplished it. After 5½ years of my fitness journey, I finally have a small success story to share! Thanks to Cathe and Coach Sean and my fitness friends and Jesus above all else because He is the joy and delight of my heart and the POWER behind me!
My friend Rebecca and I went to Jason’s Deli for lunch to celebrate with a huge salad. I bought a piece of cheesecake for a treat tonight (with no MSG, no HFCS, and no hydrogenated oil). I worked hard for it and burned those calories this morning!
My feet are talking to me (and not saying Sunday school words), so I am off to soak them in a warm bubble bath and ice them. I am basking in the afterglow and getting fired up for Super Transformation Sunday! I believe 2009 is my year to shine, and I am ready to rock STS in the morning! Glory!
Blessings,
Heather B.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
A few weeks ago, I saw an application for a Rhythm 5K (to support a local choir), and my heart skipped a beat. I just knew that the time was now for me to make the transition from dreaming to doing! A friend and I went to the race site 2 weeks ago and walked as much of the hilly course as we could in 48 minutes. I had never walked more than a mile at a time in my life and had no concept of how far 3.1 miles would be! We got in the car and drove around the path we walked and discovered that we walked 2.4 miles in 48 minutes (which was a 20-minute mile).
Those hills are butt burners! Oh my! I was hoping for a flat course for my first 5K. I can do all things through Christ! Yes, I can! I decided to take a leap of faith and walk the Rhythm 5K today. My goal was to simply finish the course this first time, but my desire was to finish in less than an hour. After years of Cathe cardio, it is amazing how challenging something as simple as walking can be when my body has not yet adapted to it! My game plan was to walk this first 5K and get in shape to run one by the end of the year (when I am hopefully lighter on my feet and not carrying the weight of another person).
I did not have an opportunity to train at all between the time I registered and now. I was planning a few long walks this week but was sidelined by an ice storm and a stomach bug. I prayed that I would be strong enough to finish! Thankfully, my friend Rebecca was game and joined me. She is one of my cheerleaders and encouragers.
I put on my game face and my STS tee shirt and drove to the park this morning. My bib number was 28, the size of my jeans! I can see why the Cheetahs love these races. It is such a fun atmosphere with music playing and people cheering. I got wrapped up in the excitement at the starting line and sprinted the first quarter mile before I realized that I needed to pace myself so I could make it to the finish line! LOL! The first hill humbled me and forced me to slow down and walk. The middle mile or more was all hills. Oh my! I baptized one of those hills with my tears. Coach Sean’s encouragement (in the original Volume 2 and Volume 3) inspired me to keep pressing on, silence the wimp within, and start living like a warrior! I prayed, I cried, I shouted for joy when I passed the whoopers and cheerleaders, but I kept pressing on! A cute guy in a Gator cart drove by every few minutes to encourage me because I was alone for the whole race. All the experienced runners were way ahead of me. I was so thankful for a cup of cold water at the halfway point after a series of challenging hills until the water giver also gave me the bad news that I needed to turn around and tackle those hills again with no recovery time. Oh my word! This is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. My feet were burning, and I was huffing and puffing as I hauled 274 pounds of fluff up and down those hills again! If you have never been overweight, you will have to take my word that it makes a BIG difference in athletic performance. LOL!
I rejoiced in my heart when one of the guys came alongside and encouraged me that I was on the last hill. I knew that I would make it! When I circled around the last loop and saw the finish line, I tuned my iPod to "Shackles" so I could finish strong and do the happy dance. The fun part about finishing next to last is having 100+ people cheering for you at the finish line! I saw the timer and realized that I could make my goal of less than an hour if I started running again. I sprinted with all my heart and crossed the finish line at 55 minutes and 44 seconds! Yes! This is a huge victory for me. My life has been characterized by too much failure and defeat. For the first time in my life, I set a fitness goal and accomplished it. After 5½ years of my fitness journey, I finally have a small success story to share! Thanks to Cathe and Coach Sean and my fitness friends and Jesus above all else because He is the joy and delight of my heart and the POWER behind me!
My friend Rebecca and I went to Jason’s Deli for lunch to celebrate with a huge salad. I bought a piece of cheesecake for a treat tonight (with no MSG, no HFCS, and no hydrogenated oil). I worked hard for it and burned those calories this morning!
My feet are talking to me (and not saying Sunday school words), so I am off to soak them in a warm bubble bath and ice them. I am basking in the afterglow and getting fired up for Super Transformation Sunday! I believe 2009 is my year to shine, and I am ready to rock STS in the morning! Glory!
Blessings,
Heather B.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
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