The Race

I ran a 5K this past weekend. My third ever, if you count the Dirty Dash I ran the previous weekend (not sure it counts, as there wasn’t so much running involved—more just playing in the mud). And as much as I’d like to say I run fast and hard and have great endurance, I don’t. My time is never what others would consider great.


But the thing is, how fast I make it across that finish line is not what it’s about for me. In fact, I’m not sure I even care about crossing the finish line.

For me it’s about putting on my shoes and trying. Because if I never put on my running shoes, never step onto the track, never huff and puff and work through the hard parts—then I will absolutely never make it to the end.


Tomorrow it won’t matter who won the race, or who came in last, or who didn’t go the distance. What will matter is who had the courage to step onto the track in the first place, and where we ended up when the race was over.


Are you brave enough to jump into the race?

Everything I've Got

Guess what I’m doing tomorrow? I’m running (or maybe speed-walking) my first ever 5k. It’s called Coopers Run, which is a great cause, so of course I’m looking forward to it. Well, mostly.

First problem: I am not a runner. Never been a runner. Therefore, I will very probably be somewhat slow.

Granted, I spend a lot of time at the gym. Always have. And I have been running lately, which is why I was okay with this. But the truth is, running is not my favorite form of exercise. (And yes, believe it or not, I DO like to work out.)

Second problem: I will be running this 5k with a whole lot of police officers (and some wives) who happen to be my husband’s peers, and who are required to pass a twice-yearly physical fitness test which involves running. Some of these guys run marathons for fun on their days off. I am not joking.

Also, my two very athletic daughters, who will undoubtedly leave me in the dust from the beginning.

But again, I’m okay with this. Even if I get left behind and am the absolute last person to cross the finish line (which, FYI, I severely doubt. I’m in decent enough shape that I could walk it in a decent time), I will still be glad I did it. Because once I finish, I will do so knowing that I gave it my all.

That’s really the crux of everything, isn’t it? It doesn’t necessarily matter who gets there first, or who comes in last, or which of us stagger through somewhere in between, so much as it matters that we dedicate ourselves to a higher purpose and give it everything we’ve got.

It’s really the only way to be successful in this world.

Wish me luck!