Let’s just say, I had a VERY rough start to my birthday morning.
My daughter hit peak of this virus and was up, ALL. NIGHT. LONG. That means, so was mama.
By 5am, she fell asleep and I headed into my bed with alarms set for 5:30. At 5:50, I woke up in a panic! I called my stepfather and sister and told them that I’m not racing. Then I cried miserably. I was so tired, yet I wanted to run for my birthday and … guess who woke up again? She was crying all over again. I get into these panics where I think “without me” the world is going to fall apart. Only Mama knows how to nurture and care for her sick babies….or so I thought. I decided to let go. I called back my family and told them the race was on! It was going to be okay to leave for a few hours. Everything was going to be just fine. I gave kisses to my daughter and hubby and she curled up in bed with him. This made me feel more at ease. I am actually very blessed to have a wonderful husband who is also an exceptional father. Sometimes I just need to learn to trust the process 🙂
Thankfully, I was really giddy about this race. So giddy that I even set everything out for my birthday 5k the night before…
It was super easy to get ready!
I drove to my stepfather and sisters home and we made it to the race, thirty minutes early! I was really excited!
To be honest, nothing made me happier than to have my favorite sister and stepfather there for my big day. Their support was amazing!
We did a Zumba workout,
(this lady had SO MUCH energy, it was awesome!)
And then it was on!
Turns out. I was really frustrated throughout this race. I have practiced running so much through the weeks and in front of me were these really big hillS. I do say hill-S. I have never ran hills like this before. As they were shouting out my time, I couldn’t help but this…
“Why today? Why are there hills here? I’m never going to make it!”
What a negative way to look at it right? I put in my iPod, I took it back out. I put it back in, I couldn’t concentrate on one song. The sun was beaming (and I do mean beaming) on my back as I went up and down and up and down. The humidity was horrible. I prayed for just a little breeze to come through. I watched all these people pass me, (sweating in places I have never seen sweat before ) and I gave up. I started to walk. Mile 2 was very hard.
Then, I heard “Amber!” One of my bridesmaids, Jessica, saw me and gave me the encouragement that I SO desperately needed right then. It gave me the boost to get my engine back in motion. As I made it over another big hill, I saw my sister and stepfather waiting in the path. They pointed the camera and my beautiful sister said, “Mile 3 around the corner!”
(See the little figure in the background? Hands up in the air. I’m saying, “It’s me! I’m here! I’m coming!”)
I was really excited about the finish line (no doubt) so I pushed myself. I ran harder and harder. I beat my family through the shopping center to the finish!
I really had no interest in checking my time. None. It was challenging and I thought I did my worst, but I checked anyways. Curiosity always gets me. Turns out, out of the three 5ks I have ran, this was my BEST time.
At 39:50 (4 seconds shaved off), I made it.
Having incredible support helped me through this race. I am really thankful for my family and friends!
After dunking my head in water…heheh, I called my husband to find out that my daughter is doing MUCH better. She was playing and laughing. I felt relieved so we went out to eat.
My actual day turned out to be awesome. My mom brought me pink roses and my hubby surprised me with an ice cream birthday cake. MY FAVORITE.
I’m so happy I ran. I’m happy my daughter is feeling better from this horrible virus. I’m happy I’m 29 and I have a fabulous family to share my day with.
Week 3 started yesterday of the challenge. I’ll get that information out soon. I will admit, this time my legs are hurting 🙂 Let’s do this. Let’s make this year a great year!!! I’m pumped for new exciting changes. Happy Birthday to me!