A Place For Everything: Finisher Medals

As a type A, control "enthusiast", OCD, type personality everything in our home has needs a place. 
In a matter of seconds a mess on the floor or un-organization can not only cause my eye to start twitching, but it can send me off on a cleaning binge that may last for hours on end.

 How have I survived having children? You ask. Well, a whole lot of Jesus and learning sometimes I just have to let go.

Since "becoming a runner" I have started collecting finisher medals. There was that crazy time that I actually placed in a 5K, my first half marathon and most recently finishing the summer night racing series. Three medals in 4 months with plans for more on the way. I didn't want to display them in the living room. But I did want to figure out a way to show my hard work and simultaneously keep me motivated.

This display was put together as a group effort. I couldn't have done it alone. My Dad cut the wood, my good friend and running partner cut and applied the letters and Russ and I stained/ sealed the wood and put the hardware on.

Celebrate EVERY mile.

Such a good and true reminder. When I look at my medals it isn't necessarily the miles I ran on that race that I think of. I am reminded of each mile that I logged, each session at the gym, and each morning that I woke up at 4:30 like a crazy person to get me to the place where I could run that race.

Every mile matters, every mile counts.

And now in the morning when I wake up this is my view... morning motivation to keep on.

This year I have big plans to add several more medals, Lord willing. 

So thankful for an outlet, a healthier lifestyle and the growth God has brought me through the gift of running.

My First Runniversary

Post by Beth Newman.

That was my Facebook Status update one year ago today. The first time in my adult life that I laced up a pair of sneakers and went for a run.

This is my story.

 I don't remember why or what I just was tired of feeling "bleh". Tired of thinking someday, maybe later, when things are easier. Tired of being unhappy. Tired of feeling lazy.

I had to change. 

I decided to run. It didn't require any fancy equipment, or a gym membership. Little did I know the truth in these words.

I ran and I kept running. I finished my first 5K in October of 2013 and 3 weeks later I started training for a half marathon that I completed in May of 2014.

In one year I have:

Ran 500+ miles

2, 5K's (3.1 miles) 2, 10K's (6.2 miles) 1, half marathon (13.1 miles)
I have lost ZERO lb's and 4 pant sizes.

Became proficient at push-ups, "boy" ones.

Discovered I actually have muscles, that I can now see.
But, the biggest part is I did things I NEVER imagined I could do. 

"It is a shame for a woman  to grow old without seeing  the strength and the beauty

 of which her body is capable."

~Socrates

I finally feel like I have seen what I am capable of.

One year later and I have no plans on slowing down. My goals for the next year aren't entirely clear yet, but I hope to complete 3 more half marathons, and log more miles than I did this year. 

Maybe you are in the same spot I was one year ago. Tired and desiring a change but not sure where to start. Check out this virtual 5K. With about 2 months until "race" day you have plenty of time to train and make a positive change.

You won't regret the choice to try.
Have you made change to be more active or do you have goals you would like to meet?