I did it!

Well, I can mark one off the list of my 2008 goals - I completed the ‘Run For the STARS’ 5K this morning without stopping! (Editor’s note: the actual goal was to complete the 5K at my daughter’s school - that didn’t happen due to other circumstances out of my control, but this is just as good.)  My time of 34:50, while not anywhere close to the winners, was better than I had done before in any practice run. I owe a great thanks to my brothers-in-law, Steve and Doug, for helping me keep pace, and encouraging me along the way, especially near the end - the last 1/2 mile or so was a killer, and the last tenth of a mile was uphill - ugh!

My wife and daughters also participated - Emily, my 13-year old, ran most of it, but had some pain in her foot that kept her from going as fast as she’d like to. It was great to actually be able to run part of it with her side-by-side - a year ago that never would have happened, as I was way too overweight and sedentary to even consider running.

My greatest thanks, however, go out to God my Savior and my Lord - I need to give HIM the glory for all of this. Without His strength through my whole weight loss and fitness journey, there is absolutely NO WAY I could have done this - I’m not strong enough on my own.

My friend Chris came to the finish line to cheer me on and take some pictures - as soon as he sends them to me, I’ll post them so that there’s visual proof of this accomplishment. Now on to the next challenge - what should that be?