I hate gym...

As an adult I learned to welcome challenges, especially fitness challenges; this was quite different than when I was in high school. I hated (STRIKE THAT), I abhorred gym class and everything about it. Always the tallest girl in the class and always the biggest girl in the class, I could never understand why gym was a school requirement. AND, if it had to be a requirement then why did I have to wear shorts that were obviously designed for someone that was 5 ft tall and 100 lbs with their sneakers on. During one hot Shreveport day I remember that we were forced to run drills. I didn't make it halfway through the drills when I started to see stars and shades of gray (No, not E.L. James). I sat down quickly before I fell down, and I could feel the life draining out of my face. I was hot and cold at the same time and the thought dawned on me that I may actually pass out in front of my peers while sitting on the hot concrete wearing these too little shorts.  I was sweating shotgun bullets and could hear my heart beating and feel my right eye pulsating. As the other kids gawked at my out-of-shape behind grasping for air the only thing I could think was, "I hate gym".  I survived that day, endured for those 4 years, and was delighted when I finally graduated. 

I managed to avoid Health & Conditioning (a fancy university title for Gym) until my Junior year in college. My school advisor warned me that it was 'Now or Never'; if I wanted to graduate on time I had to take "Gym" the summer before my Senior year. Cardio, weight training, and more cardio, but I survived. The instructor coached me on how to run and slowly build stamina. I never accomplished that 12-minute mile goal that she set, but a 16-minute mile without passing out wasn't so bad right? More than anything, that summer taught me that I could do more if I just pushed myself. Throughout my Senior year I ran and walked inside of the in-door running track and for the first time I realized that I felt GREAT after running; I was energized. 

Into adulthood I began to push myself beyond previously set limits. For more than 15 years beyond college I would sign up and complete numerous 5Ks and fun races; however, it wasn't until last year that I aspired to move beyond my comfort level of 3.1 miles. Within this last year I participated in the Hot Chocolate 5K, Dirty Girl 5K Mud Run, and then my birthday rolled around. A girl can only turn 29 for so many years before even she stops believing the farce. Conscious of my age, I grew more interested in health, fitness, and wellness so it was only fitting that I would contemplate pushing myself more. I had my eyes set on the 2015 Peachtree Road Race 10K. After all, I have seen it on TV every 4th of July and it looked like so much fun. Surely I could do it??? Flashbacks to the high school semi-pass out moment plagued my mind, but this time would be different. I was convinced I could do it! I signed up and was chosen in the lottery; so now what? How would I prepare? I found a couch potato to 10K online running program and it guided me for 3 solid months. My heart, mental capacity, endurance, and sheer will grew stronger and stronger each time I hit the track. All that training and all that sweating was worth it when on July 4. 2015 not only did I run my first ever Peachtree Road Race, but I ran the Hell out of it! Torrential pouring rain, 68 degrees, and prohibited ear buds in tow, nothing stopped me until I crossed the finish line. 1:33:12, no injuries, and I felt great. Far from the fat kid that almost passed out in high school, I now realized that I was a Conqueror and victory was mine! 

As a child my mom would tell me, "Can't isn't in the dictionary!" My mom was a wise woman and her words became my truth. So you, yes YOU! Realize that whatever you are facing and whatever your aspirations, just know that you are worthy! You are capable! Can't isn't in the dictionary, so leave it out of your vocabulary. There is no goal too big that you can't accomplish if you plan, train, and keep your feet to the grind until you cross that finish line. You may ask what is next for me? Future Peachtree Road Races are a given, and although the Atlanta 10 miler is in 3 months I know that I am not ready for it, YET, but I'll definitely be there in 2016. But enough about me, what's next for you?