Motivational Monday ~ Heart of a Runner

I'm late with my motivational Monday post, big surprise right? Well, my inspiration today is about other runners. That's right. Runners. The crazy people who train like mad to run a grueling race for a ribbon or medal. Right? Wrong! It's not about the medals, t-shirts, the cheering spectators or kudos. It's about setting a goal, a challenge to man (or woman's) God given abilty and seeing through to completetion. About knowing your limits and breaking them and going further than you ever thought possible. That's what I think about runners. I admire them greatly. I always have.

My first "race" was in elementary school when I was picked to run a relay. I was the starter and I think that perhaps was due to the fact that yes, I could run, but in short spurts and I tired quickly. I remember looking back at the other runners. We were all nervous. But I remember we all talked amongst ourselves and we all said things like, You're gonna win. I'm not very fast etc. I thought, no way. I'm the slowest here. When we took off, I left them all behind. I didn't have to run far though, it was a relay afterall and I handed off the baton and watched as my team took the blue ribbon. That was my only race. I can remember even then, how my chest felt like it was going to burst and how I wheezed when I stopped. And since then, I have always told myself, you are NOT a runner. You will NEVER be a runner.

Today I admire runners for their true grit. I'd like to name the one runner who has inspired me the most: Katie Foster of Runsforcookies.com. Yes, Runs for cookies! Isn't that cute? Katie was obese and weighed 253lbs when she starting her weightloss journey. She now weighs in around 136 and maintains her weight through running. Her blog can be found here: http://www.runsforcookies.com/ Katie is a local girl, living near by me in Monroe county, Michigan. Makes me feel like I can do this because here is this girl, not a celebrity, who was living in a body much like mine and she made it. I guess I can do it too!

I'd also like to give a shout out to my cousin Dyan Biringer who completed a 5k on November 9th and ran it in 28 mins and 54 secs. She placed 3rd in her age bracket. She joked that she must have been one of the 3 in her age bracket hence her default placement. Kudos to you Dyan! I hope I can get my speed up to par with yours in time for the race next summer! Race? Yes! I am going to participate in the 2014 Ypsilanti Color Run on June 21st! It's a 5k or 3.1 miles. I'm currently able to run/jog at 4mph for 5mins max, but I'm working on intervals of 3 - 3.5 and 4 mph at 5 mins each until I get my speed and stamina there. Please, pray for me. I never thought I'd get this far, or have so much to reach for. Have a great week y'all!