I Can Reach a Goal with a Little Help from My Friends #SOL26

Songs lyrics ("I get by with a little help from my friends" by the Beatles) and a book title (All It Takes Is a Goal by Jon Acuff) are swimming around in my head because today I reached a goal I set a few months ago: I ran my first 5k race!  

When I had the idea, my first thought was I am too old to start this now, but when I put it out into the world to my friend, Meg, she jumped and said, "Let's do it!"  We put it out to our friends at work, and two more joined us.

For the past few months, we have been posting our training, eating healthy, buying some fun running gear, and cheering each other on. 

On Friday, though, I really thought I messed it all up.  I went out for a run and tweaked my hamstring.  After, I was having a difficult time walking.  I was beating myself up because I knew I was not supposed to push myself so close to the race.  But, I did.  I rested yesterday and was a bit down, doubting I would be able to do more than walk.  The worst thing was that everyone at school knew we were running.

I woke up this morning with a pit in my stomach.  My leg was better, but I was not sure if it was enough to get me through.  My running friends were so excited, and I was receiving messages from others wishing me luck.  I left the house feeling as though the report on the other side of the race would be one that might cause me a bit of embarrassment.

As we arrived, there was a lot of excitement around us.  My heart was racing, and I was doing my best to put a smile on my face.  It was cold and wet out, so it was difficult to do a proper stretch.  The conditions were not helping me out.

I decided I would start the race with a short warm-up walk and then see how I felt when I started running.  I am not sure what happened, but once I started running, I was okay, slow, but okay.  I took it once step at a time, and before I knew it, I was half way.  My body felt good, so I kept running until I crossed the finish line.

I have never been a runner.  It is the first time I relied on my body to help me reach a goal, usually I rely on my mind and work ethic.  I never really understood why people are drawn to running until this experience.  When I run, everything else empties from my mind.  When I run, I feel the strength of my body.  When I run, I feel free.  And so, I will run on to the next one with the help and support of my friends.