Race Day 10K!!!

Today was a great day for a race! The weather couldn't have been more perfect! It wasn't too hot or too cold. There was cloud cover the entire time which meant no sun beating down on us! It was beautiful scenery as well. We ran through the Baylor University Campus and along the Brazos River. Aside from a little bit of construction work by the new Baylor Stadium location, it was beautiful! They had about 4-5 water or Powerade stations along my 10K route with people cheering. It was really encouraging. My shirt caught lots of peoples attention and they spoke with me asking if this was my first half marathon. I replied with no, this is my first 10K and if they seemed interested I shared that I started training December 6th for my first half Marathon later this year. And they all told me that I could do it and great job, etc. Caitlin and her boyfriend, Eric, are faster joggers than me so they finished about 10 minutes or so before me, so I was on my own. But God had BIG plans for me today! I encountered many great people along my route today. Starting with my husbands text right before the race started that read {Good luck. You can do it. Hebrews 12:1 I Love You!} Weird how I used that very verse yesterday in my post. When I began this journey and thought of this blog name I knew I had the HEART to do this. I can usually set my mind to doing something and then do it! I knew I would SWEAT along the way, after all, this is running and I'm a big girl. I figured somewhere along the way I would shed a few TEARS. Well the first of those TEARS came today! Caitlin asked me if David was coming and I told her that I asked him to come and bring the boys to cheer me on at the finish line. Caitlin said "You know he will be at the finish line." I had hoped, and not long into the race I thought about it and began to tear up. I wanted them to be proud of me. About 2 miles into the run I was on the Baylor Campus and a lady jogs on up beside me and says "You looked like you could use this," and she began reading from her note pad. She said "JOB 8:7 tells us though you started with little, you will end with much!" I looked at her and said thank you and we recognized each other. Turns out she was one of my old Nursing School instructors, Dr. Tipton. She then said, "God just spoke to me and told me to share this with you, and it turns out I know you!" God does work in mysterious ways. I began to cry as she told me again, "Job 8:7, you claim that and you will go far!" Powerful words, and so inspiring! This happened right after I had prayed to God thanking him for a beautiful run and the encouraging people along the way. It's funny how He knows just what we need right when we need it!! I met an old Papaw along the route also, he was so sweet and cute and he had been behind me and caught up to me a little over half way through. We had a short nice conversation and he took off faster than me. Wow, what an inspiration!!! He was at least 70 something! The race finish line was at the end of the suspension bridge. You run all the way across it and the finish line is right at the end. There was a photographer taking pics at the finish line and spoke to me at the end, but I'm not sure what she said, I think she told me to smile! lol But all I wanted to do was cry! This was a big achievement for me! I saw Caitlin at the finish line and she held her hands up for a high 10 and said "We did it!" and we had! She then pointed me to David and the boys! I went right over and hugged and kissed that sweet husband of mine. I not only did this for me, but for him and those two sweet boys that he got out of bed at 8:30 on a Saturday and hauled down to the suspension bridge to cheer Mom on! And I was thankful!! Again, the tears fell!!

Caitlin and I 

Our first picture of the morning!

 Eric and Caitlin

Me and Caitlin again, before the race.

 The fire truck ladder holding up the flag!

Look at all the people!

The hubs sent this to me, He caught the last leg of my race! See me under the bridge?!

Pics the hubs took of me approaching the finish line

Trying to finish strong!

See the professional photographer,? I swear she told me to smile! So I did.

My RunKeeper app I had going the entire time told me I ran 6.79 miles in 1h38m56s. However, I didn't stop it until after I saw David and the boys and was walking around the barricade to kiss them. So I don't know my exact official time, hopefully it will be up soon! But it looks like it was 1h37m21s by one of the pics the hubs took. Either way, I'm proud of myself for jogging nonstop the entire way and not giving up on myself and for finishing! I'm Blessed by the Grace of God!!

Trying to catch my breath and drink some water!

Caitlin and I at the end

Me and MY BOYS! Such big supporters!! I couldn't do this without the love and support of my wonderful husband, David, and my boys! I'm not only doing this for myself and to get healthy for me, but I am doing it for them, and to be healthy so I can be around for them to play, run, & chase after them!

 Me, Caitlin, and Eric 10K finishers!!! 

WOOHOO! Great job guys!I couldn't do it without you Caitlin! 

Thanks for the support, friendship, and love! And for doing this with me!!

 Caden playing afterwards in the bounce house!

Cutest little guy around!  Graysen was there too, he was in the stroller though. I'm  not gunna lie, I was hurting afterward, that is for sure! My knees and my feet were sore. I tried putting the feet in an ice bath, but that only lasted a few, minimal seconds! I've been taking Aleve and Ibuprofen. Hopefully I'll feel better come morning time cause I work another 12 hour shift tomorrow. I'm excited for this weekends fun 5K Graffiti Run!!
And though you started with little, you will end with much. Job 8:7 NLT