Say what you want to say, but yes I do run like a girl. And I'm proud to share with you the proudest day of my fitness life. Yes! Yes! Yes! I did my first race and I'm happy to say It was the greatest feeling from start to finish. I thought many of times I would never be able to finish a race yet a run around the block. Give me a set of dumb bells and I can go to work any day, but give me some running shoes and watch me pant, huff and puff. This wonderful day that I embraced was more then I could hope for. As I walked to the festivities I filled up with every doubtful emotion known to a "non-runner". I thought would if I cant finish or would if I pass out or how about I start running and give up and walk the rest of the way. I also had thoughts of just walking the entire race. As I approached the entrance to the Baltimore Women's Classic Race I couldn't believe my eyes. There were women of all shapes, ages, and sizes. Many not athletic at all but had one thing in common with me, they came to race. At that single moment my heart was at ease and I let go. I was surrounded by smiles and laughter. I spoke with women that I never met before in my life and we talked like long lost friends. I wasn't concerned about my inability to perform, I knew that I could start and I knew I would finish. As we lined up and waited for the start gun to sound, I looked to my left and I looked to my right. And to much of my surprise I was rubbing shoulders with women that had running strollers and moms encouraging their younger daughters that it was going to be okay. So I ran and I ran like a girl. With My I-pod In my ear and the sun in my eye, I just told myself this is my gravel and this is my race. Yes, I ran and I ran strong and I finished even stronger because I knew i did something that I feared, and that fear soon become accomplishment. So as my foot hit the finish mat I felt free as a bird with a time of 31:39 @ my first 5k I felt pretty damn good. Cant wait for next year!
