WE DID IT!!!!

We just came back (me, my mom and David) from competing and completing the Bonita Road Runners 5k. It was amazing!! To see hundreds of runners in preparation, families, teams, individuals - stretching, motivating each other, listening to their iPods .... there was enthusiasm and excitement in the air! It was definitely inspiring to see and be apart of. It was such an accomplishment - at this time last year I was preparing for surgery and at my lowest point physically and now here I am about to do a 5 k less than a year after surgery. For me that was an incredible moment -- to be healthy, strong and ALIVE! Granted my mom and I had several laugh attacks in the beginning as runners passed us by , then an old man, then a man in a sling!! I mean cracking up laughing to the point of tears! Then we said -ok that's it- it's time to get serious and the competition was on! I don't think I have ever walked so fast in my life, I don't think I have ever jogged that far in my life and I don't think I ever RAN that fast at the last stretch neck in neck with someone as we crossed the finished line!! I kept passing this guy and then he would pass me and so on and as we reached that last stretch he looked at me and said "come on now let's push ourselves and DO THIS!!" It was an amazing finish-- my body was spent and I quickly grabbed my inhaler to catch my breath. He congratulated me and said "what a GREAT finish!" It was so motivating to hear people cheer for you along the way -- "you can do it!, keep going, your almost there!" And even to see familiar faces on the sidelines like my Dad, David (he already had finished) and Carla-- cheering, taking pictures-- it's what I imagine heaven would be like and probably this earth too if we just listened really well -- I am sure we are surrounded by those cheering us on! I learned so much just from doing this simple race. It's an experience I will never forget! I will post pictures soon!!! Another testament to me that you can do anything you set your mind to ; )