RUNNING
A few years ago, I started on a let me improve my blood pressure journey. I knew I had to lose weight. I couldn't do it by myself so I signed up to have weight loss surgery. My heaviest weight was 295lbs. I was prehypertensive, prediabetic and my cholesterol was climbing the chart like a Cardi B Hot Record. Fast forward to now...my weight is holding steady at 205. Blood pressure is controlled by meds still-it's a long story. I'm no longer prediabetic and my cholesterol has dropped down like R. Kelly's bank account. Â
I started exercising. I planned to walk 2-3 miles, which quickly moved into 4-5 miles. Before I knew it I was walking 6 miles at least 3 to 4 times a week. Several of my friends joined me but only one stayed with me during this whole time. Man oh man I appreciate her for staying ten toes down. See my Day 1 is a Marine Vet. I truly believed she came in with a plan to get us up and RUNNING. She would challenge me to run light pole to light pole and then walk light pole to light pole. This went on for a few months. My running improved. I was running to every third light pole. I was always impressed with how my Marine Vet could run the whole time. Slightly disappointed in myself that I could not. I made up every excuse in my MIND of why I could not run the whole time: I was too fat, my breast was too big, and I was too old.
After a few months of me running to every 3rd light pole, we decided to run a local 5k. Me, My Marine Vet, and her Mother (62 years young)!
My First 5K
I didn't know what to expect but once I got to the starting line I kinda liked it. The atmosphere was a complete vibe! I couldn't specifically explain it to you but for me, I was hyped and supported by people who I did not even know which made me feel awkward, scared but encouraged. This me: How the hell is somebody I don't even know cheering for me at the start, during, and at the end of the race?Â
Back to the 5K
I ran the race at different speeds - fast, slow, I even walked a light bit. At some point in time I had 3 life turning points:
The First Turning Point: The lady with a 40+lb baby stroller with a baby in it ran past me at my fastest speed...
The Second Turning Point: A 5-year-old little girl running with a pair of crocs on flew past me at my slowest speed...
The Three Turning Point: A 80-year-old lady ran past me while I walked....
They all had your sista in a chokehold - disbelief to say the least. To the lady with the baby stroller how the hell? To the 5-year-old little girl where your parents at?? To the 80-year-old tell me all your secrets to life???
The Finale
I completed the 5K in 44 minutes. Remember, I told ya'll about the starting line vibes hell the finish line had no comparison! The people cheering you on were your newfound friends. I mean these folks didn't even know me. My thoughts on the cheering squad: People who are sincerely cheering on someone they don't know: You're a different kinda person and it's them who we need more of.Â
Today
I have a closet full of 5k and 10k t-shirts, medals, and bibs. My fastest 5k comes in at 36 minutes. My fastest 10k comes in at 1 hour and 20 minutes. My farthest distance stands at 8.50 miles. In 2021, I ran 771 miles. Can we all say my MIND is no longer in control? I'm not too fat, my breast are not too big and I'm not too old. See my MIND changed during that first 5K. Why? I saw people who were shaped like and older than me that ran faster than me.Â
The MIND is a terrible thing to waste.
Arthur Fletcher
2022 Goal - Run my very first half marathon.
Signed,Â
Candie
This song goes out to all the runners, walkers, and the people who working to make themselves a person.....