Not Giving Up

As I have stated before I am not one just to throw my goals out there for the whole world to see, unless I know that I can accomplish them. Well one of my goals for this year was to run a half marathon. I have been blessed to be training with some awesome ladies from the University that I work at! We had discussed training for a specific marathon since December and my eager self was ready and willing to sign up for it. Again not knowing what the future would hold, when the actually training began I was in New Mexico, not a big deal just one week behind, then I got my ulcer which then put me about 2-3 weeks behind! Yet I was still determined not to quit and keep on trucking. However, let me tell you, this has to be one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life! Every thing that could go wrong has, back pains, to shin splits, to blisters...

I really have not told many people that I have been training for a half marathon. I used the excuse I want to be humble about it and not make a big deal about it. But truth be told I was more afraid to tell people and then not be able to complete the task. Fear of Failure.

Last week it took everything within me not to quit! Since I was behind and sick for a while it has taken me a little bit to get my strength back and catch up with the other ladies. Then living a busy life with work, ministry and grad work I felt so overwhelmed. I would have great reasons why to quit, but something inside me (probably the voice of Kelli and my friend Brandy) would not let me give up. I then had a "biggest loser moment" as I like to call it and seriously wanted to just walk out of the gym and not go back, but with the encouragement from our trainer Kelli I did not give up!

Saturday was the first time in my life that I ever had completed a 7 mile run! For some that might not be a big deal, but for me that was a huge accomplishment! That 7 miles gave me hope that I can do this, that I can work my way to 6 more miles and complete this half marathon! We are about half way through the training process and will be running our race in March!!

This was my first 6 miles a couple of weeks ago. I ran my 7 miles outside so I have no proof but my just ask my joints I really did it ;)

The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running. ~Author unknown, in reference to Ecclesiastes 9:11, "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."

If I can do it anybody can!!

Have a blessed day!


Melody