As many of you know, Samatha has been on an incredible weight loss and fitness journey for over a year now. She has amazed and inspried me more than she will ever know! Just when I think she looks fantastic and couldn’t get any better, she posts another round of progress pictures that simply leaves me saying WOW! She has helped guide me with various tips, recipes and her knowledge without ever being rude or belittling, a true friend indeed.
Running for Exercise and Fun
Although I am no where near where she is (dang those sweets that always get in the way), the biggest thing she has said that I replay over and over is “find something you like to do”. Seems simple enough right? Well, I don’t really enjoy weight lifting, I don’t have the spare time to leave my family to go to the gym, I used to love going to Zumba class and taking nightly walks before I had Caroline but now it is a whole time issue. I always feel so pushed for time. I have a day job, hate to bring Caroline to the babysitter’s too early, need to make dinner at night, house cleaning on the weekends, the list can go on and on as many of you mom’s can relate!
I recently decided to put the excueses aside and make time for me and my health. I have taken my love of being outdoors and walking and kicked it up a notch, I am now running…..yes, running! I still chuckle at using that word because for those who know me well know that I am not a runner or never thought I was or ever would be. This leads me into my next fitness inspriation, a good friend by the name of Amanda. Four years ago Amanda was in a horrendous four-wheeling accident that landed her in the hospital for several months. She went from being on the verge of not being here today to now running half-marathons!! When asked how she got from one extreme to the other she simply says “The Good Lord”. Her outlook on many aspects of her life have changed drastically and she is not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside.
Amanda who is now a seasoned runner has taken me under her wing more or less and helped me with my running skills. She has helped me physically by giving me running tips and pushing me just enough to truly feel it. She has also helped me mentally because as any runner knows, running is just as much of a psychological challenge as it is a physical one. I love that at one point she was in my shoes with starting out and can come down to my level and work with me with realistic expectations.
Running a 5K
This past Saturday I did something that I never in a million years would have thought of. I participated in my first ever 5K! According to one of the gentleman in charge of the event, the 5K route was a more challenging route compared to some of the others. Of course, I had driven the route several times but Amanda and I decided to give it a try a week before the actual race. There is something about your feet hitting the ground that makes you recognize and appreciate distance and terrain much more than in a vehicle.
Anyways, back to the race. There was approximately 75 people ranging from kids-up and let me just give a shout out to all those little guys and gals who kept up with seasoned runners, I was blown away! My ultimate goal was to run the entire thing but admittedly I had to walk some. Thankfully I didn’t feel as bad when I saw some pro’s walking here and there as well. My friend Amanda did not run the race with me as she was on a personal mission to make her own time which I completely understood and encouraged her. She did however promise me that she would come back and get me once she was finished. That moment when I was almost to the finish line, saw her running back to me with massive words of encouragement and crossing the finish line with my mom, husband, kids and grandparents cheering me on was one of the best, most undefinable moments I have ever had! I finished in 36:03, was number 29th and much to my astonishment came in 2nd place for my age group (20-29). I whole-heartedly believe in “runners high” and was elated the entire day after the race. Here are Amanda and I and my Mom and I before the race (I was a bag of emotions) and me crossing the finish line (Jaydon was so excited):
Since the race I have gone for a couple of runs and thoroughly enjoyed them. On the days that I can’t go running I feel like I’m lacking something and yearn for the next run. Some of you may be laughing at this point and honestly it is something I would have laughed at a few months back as well but I can’t completely express to you just how much I am enjoying it. I am looking at doing another 5K in the coming weeks and who knows, maybe half-marathons are in my future? Of course, not the immediate future.
Exercise is still exercise
Finally, I guess the entire purpose of this post is to encourage each one of you to find something you love doing and just do it like Samantha has encouraged me to do. Exercise is still exercise no matter which route you decide to take. It is essential to a healthy lifestyle and the rewards reaped are awesome both physically and mentally!
This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences.
