Thirty-four Minutes of Pure Heart

I believed I could...so I did!

I finished! I did it!

My time: 34 minutes
My pace 10:56 minutes/mile

I ran that 5K race today! It was the most challenging course that I have ever run (in my limited experience), but I never stopped. I ran the entire way. I am immensely proud of myself!

In preparation for this race, my husband and I drove the course last night. Before taking this enlightening drive, my goal had been to finish in 36 minutes. After realizing that the race would be a series of hills (some monstrously steep and long), with most of the downhill in the beginning of the race and mostly uphill during the latter half of the course, I changed my expectations to 40 minutes.

I did it in 34!!

When I accomplish something like this, I feel strong, mentally as well as physically. This is the kind of strength that I used to overcome my husband's less than encouraging attitude. After driving the course, his words to me were, "This might be more of a walk/run for you." All I can say is thank you for that, partner. Of course, at that moment I resolved to run the entire race...NEVER stopping. I may have crawled up some hills, but it was a running crawl.

When I finished the race, his reaction was of disbelief. Along with "Wow, that was an amazing race to run." and "Those hills were incredible, you really ran that?", he could not help but add, "You couldn't have done that. It must not have been a full 5K." and "They must have gotten the time wrong."

Really?!! In front of the kids, even! This is how we encourage them to love and support their mother?

For the record, I was able to verify both the time and the distance on my "Little Coach". Neither was wrong!

These are the reasons why I am so reluctant to turn to him when I am feeling low and frail. Today, I had the strength to surmount these words. Last week, this would have sent me spinning faster than I already was.

Fortunately, I do not have to rely solely on my husband for emotional support. Soon after finishing, I texted my sister and my son with news of my accomplishment. From them I received all the congratulations that I wanted. From my baby child, I heard the most beautiful words one can hear when crossing a finish line,

"You did it Mommy. You finally did it!"

Who needs more than that? I will never forget that tiny voice.

So here's to you, Mom. Here's to you, beautiful son...

Thirty-four minutes of pure heart!!!