It seems like a long time ago now when I first mentioned to a friend the idea of signing up to run a 5K. She didn’t laugh or say why not try walking one first but instead told me she thought it was a great idea and that she would join me. Now 6 months later and with her beside me I finished my very first 5K yesterday. This entry is all about my run and dedicated to everyone who has loved, supported and cheered me on. I’m honoured and humbled by all that you bring into my life.
Yesterday I did something that I didn’t truly believe was possible even though I had already proved to myself that I could walk 5k over and over. Yesterday I not only participated in the Terry Fox run but I also jogged chunks of it. I wasn’t the fastest (which I knew I wasn’t going to be) but it didn’t matter in the slightest. All that mattered was that I finished and I finished strong.
Doing the 5K wasn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be even as prepared as I was. I had moments of real struggle like when I got a stitch in my side or when just as I was about to start running to the finish line my back felt so tight that I had to stop and stretch it out before I could run again. I also quickly realized as much as I have worked on the voice in my head that it still speaks up with doubt when I’m doing something challenging. It popped up right after I had done my first run interval and started to remind me of how much harder this was than running on the treadmill and telling me that there was no way I would be able to keep doing it. Luckily I had two great partners beside me to talk and distract me from that voice and reassuring me that I can do this. By the time I finished my second run interval that doubt was forgotten and determination took over.
In spite of the challenges something I’m very proud of is the fact that I was able to keep my smile and positive attitude the whole time. I even managed to keep laughing and joking of course some of that was probably just nervous energy. I wasn’t sure that I was going to be able to maintain my mood before I started. In fact I had previously warned my friend that I would probably be tired and cranky by the end of everything. What I was counting on was how truly amazing it felt to be out doing this run for cancer research with about 1500 other people. The crowd was enthusiastic and excited. It was hard not to be positive and smiling.
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| Nearing the end but still smiling and still moving! |
The last kilometer was the probably the hardest for me because although I knew I could finish my body was starting to feeling the strain of my weight and previous four kilometers. I was tired and just waiting for the end. It felt so close and so far all at the same time. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other though and kept moving towards the end.
As we reach the final few meters my lower back was incredibly tight and sore but I was determined to run across the finish line. So I quickly stopped to stretch my back out a bit and then my friend beside me we jogged to the end and across that finish line. What amazed me was the burst of energy I felt just before I was going to cross it. I could feel my body push a little faster and I ran across it strong and smiling. In that moment I didn’t even see the people around me or hear the cheers I just felt this huge rush go through my body. It was exhilarating. I have never been more proud of myself in that moment. It was such an accomplishment. It has been a long time since I worked so diligently and hard towards a goal. I most definitely will be doing this again.
Along with being proud of my run I am also proud of the amount of money my team and myself were able to raise for the cause. My personal total raised was $540. Along with that I take credit for the team fundraising events total of 375.85 which means I very nearly made my goal of $1000. Overall as a team we managed to raise over $2300 (I’m not sure what the final total was as we had some last minute donations that didn’t get added in to our page). I am so proud of the work we put in and the amount we pulled off especially since this was the first time I have ever really taken on something like this. I am proud to be able to do a small part in the large battle against cancer.
Before I end this blog I want to take a few minutes to acknowledge some very special people. I couldn’t have done this journey on my own and I think a great deal of thanks need to be shared. (Sorry I know it’s rather award show of me but I really couldn’t have done this on my own and I think recognition should always be shared.)
The first thank you has to go to my fellow Screening Sirens. I put the idea out to all of you and you all blew me away with your willingness to sign on and jump in. You have been there to help me with fundraising and to just be there so I knew I had a reason I couldn’t quit. I loved being the captain of such a great group of positive people. I look forward to doing it again with all of you.
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| Screening Sirens showing a little love |
Second I need to thank all of my donors both my personal donors and the team donors. It was an honour to be able to do this run on your behalf. I hope that I have done you all proud. It is because of you I feel I can say that this run was a success on all sides. I have so much love and gratitude to all of you who were willing to support me with your donations.
Third to EVERYONE who has every cheered me on especially on Facebook. You have kept me going on this journey even on the hardest days. You shared your excitement and enthusiasm for what I was doing. You filled my world with so much positivity it would have been impossible for me not to succeed. You are family and friends from around the world and I shine because of you.
Last a very special thank you to Tina. I want you to know how much your support has meant to me. You inspire me to do more and keep reaching towards becoming the active person I know that I am inside. You have taken the time to walk with me countless times over the last few months. You have encouraged me and offered so much advice. You have never once shown anything but positive energy towards me and my goals no matter how crazy they may seem. Without fail you have kept my worst doubts at bay and shown me that I really can reach for things that seem out of reach. Without you I don’t know that this run would have happened. You moved my journey along by asking me to walk with you at lunches and promising that you would go at my pace. I’m glad you were persistent and kept inviting me even when I kept coming up with excuses why I couldn’t. I am forever grateful that I finally said yes and started walking and that you were still ready to go. You were true to your word and stayed at my pace even though you are capable of going so much faster and it has meant the world to me. It has been a privilege to do this run with you and I can’t wait for the day when I can say let’s go at your pace.
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| Tina and I hanging out before the run |
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| We did it! |
This journey has proved to myself that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. I am a changed woman for having taken on this challenge. I have found strength, pride, confidence, love, support and so much more. All it took was a small idea, some blood, sweat & tears and a whole lot of belief in myself. If I can do this I know that I can do anything. Heck if I can do this anyone can do anything. Impossible things happen every day we might as well make them happen for us.
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