Sunday, May 11, 2008

Running the Race.......

I have enjoyed a love/hate relationship with the sport of running for several years.

It began when I was a high school sophomore and the guy I was dating ran on the cross country team. When he mentioned he was attracted to one of the girls on the team I should have run in the opposite direction but being the insecure girl I was, I joined the team too.

Running is not natural for me and I remember praying before each race, "God, please just don't let me finish last!" At my first race I finished second to last by a few seconds. Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor!!!

By my junior year I was no longer dating Mr. Cross Country so I happily avoided the sport for the next 20 years.

Having 4 babies in 5 years gave me a new reason to lace up my running shoes....baby fat! I joined a gym and discovered running on a treadmill. Now this was my kind of running; at my own pace, in an air conditioned climate and a T.V. to watch. I even ran most of the way through my 5th pregnancy (which might explain that daughters athletic ability).

Not long after baby #6 came along I bought my own treadmill for the basement (and of course an oscillating fan and TV to go with it). I logged several hundred miles on that treadmill as I ran off and on over the next several years.

One day the thought crept into my mind that I should try running in a race.


"WHAT? I don't think so...."

Oh come on, you can do it. Challenge yourself, you were made for more than running on this treadmill.....

"But what if I finish last? Or worse yet, what if I can't finish at all? Besides I can't run outside, what if it is cold or hot or raining? And I won't have the TV to watch."
Kelley, leave your comfort zone and prove to yourself you can!

Then one morning in the church bulletin I noticed a local 5K being sponsored by a friend of ours. It looked like a fun family event so I talked several of my kids and a girlfriend into running with me. I nearly chickened out but after several sleepless nights I realized God was pushing me to run this 5K. He literally kept it on my mind constantly and wouldn't let me sleep.

The morning of the race was beautiful (not too cold, hot or rainy). I had told my 9 yr. old daughter not to worry if she couldn't keep up, "just walk with the crowd." As it turned out she not only kept up, she beat me! She won a first place trophy for the 10U age group! I didn't do too shabby either, finishing 17th in the 40-45 age group.

So with that race behind me I was ready to take on more! I recruited my mom, mother-in-law and a couple of daughters to run in the local Mother's Day 5k. I started reading Runner's World and invested in some spiffy (and expensive) new running shoes, as well as some cute new running clothes....(Have I mentioned I suffer from an obsessive personality?).

A short time later I began to feel a pain in my arch but I stubbornly ran through it until I could no longer put weight on my foot. Mornings were especially painful and I eventually diagnosed myself as having Plantar Faciatiis. Although stretching and icing are recommended the only real cure is rest.

"What? No more running?"

Conclusion:

The same God who wanted to stretch and grow me through being obedient to His leading would not allow me to create an idol for myself. I put away my expensive running shoes and found other ways to workout (swimming, cycling, weigh lifting...) but I was forced to stop running for several months.

Eventually my foot healed and I was able to run again but this time I have been careful to keep it in perspective......

In honor of Mother's Day I am posting some of the pictures from last year's Mothers Day run in which my Mom, Mother-in-Law and 4 of my daughters participated.

*(A great way to spend Mom's Day together)

*(My mother-in-law and Mom)

*(Teenagers!!)

*(First time participants received a tiara!)
*(Cece finished the 3.10 miles in 23 minutes which netted her a $50.00 gift certificate!).
This year the girls have a soccer tournament all weekend so we are unable to participate in the Mother's Day 5K. The weather is FREEZING and windy. The last thing I would want to do today is run outside......God is Good!!
I hope whatever you do today you enjoy a blessed Mother's Day!!

13 comments:

Amy said...

Happy Mother's Day to you too!
Great story, Kelley, and I loved the pictures.

Running and me don't like each other very much (or even at all really), but I do like to walk with Leslie Sansone DVDs or outside, and I love to ride my exercise bike (while watching a chick flick) underneath a ceiling fan (turned on the highest speed). :)

God Bless,
Amy:)

Paula V said...

Great post. Your stories always have me on the edge of my seat wondering what the "moral" at the end is. Very good. God is good at teaching us and keeping us focused on Him.
Wonderful photos...what a precious memory to have all your women running with you and even finishing nicely. Today in Indiana would've been awful to run...cold, windy, raining, but yesterday was gorgeous.

I am like Amy and love Leslie Sansone walking videos as they stretch and work my body so much more than "normal" walking.

Happy Mother's Day, Kelley!
Paula

luvmy4sons said...

Happy Mother's Day to you too friend!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I've been a runner for over 20 years. Wish I had the body to go along with such bragging rights. Alas, I don't, thus no boasting from this end. Only a heart that is healthier for the discipline.

Happy Mother's Day.

peace~elaine

Jamie said...

Happy Mother's Day to you too! I hope it was a good one for you. I am not very good at the exercising thing, but it is something I feel I need to start doing...in some form. I enjoyed seeing your pictures!

By the way, I tagged you over on my blog. Play along if you wish, but no pressure.

Jamie

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

I just LOVE reading your blog. You have a great way of story telling.

I too...am currently suffering from Plantar Fasciitis....(I ending up going to the doctor)....and it's been a 7 months healing process. I'm ALMOST there.

I on the other hand...LOVE to run....and since it's FINALLY warming up here (in the 40's...maybe reaching 60 today) I'm itchin' to get my running shoes back on.

Have a BLESSED day.

Kim~

Anonymous said...

Kell-
As you are well aware, I am more of a "walker" than a "runner". I just thank God that you did not sign us up for this year since the weather was so gross!! I might have frozen to death! Anyway, I did have a great time being at church with you and then just the two of us going to lunch (with a little shopping thrown in). (Fortunately we backed off on getting the bread pudding!)

Love,

Lelia Chealey said...

Hope your day was a good one. That is a really neat idea about the Mother's Day race. You are SO pretty my friend! My goodness. Did I tell you not to stand next to me at She Speaks with those runner's legs? ;) Lol...guess what? You'll be proud. I joined a running club clinic called Beginner's Luck which starts June 4th. 8 weeks every Wednesday 7-8pm teaches how to run, what to wear, and eat. I am so excited...so maybe if I work hard you will be able to stand next to me. :)
Love you lots!!
Lelia

Unknown said...

Happy Mother's Day! You are so funny! Really, you crack me up! :)

This is a great story! I think you've inspired me. I don't like to run, I like to walk. Just before I moved and got married, I finally got up the courage to walk in two 5K Run/Walks. However, wife and mom duties have kept me from it. Or maybe that is just an excuse??? At any rate, you've inspired me to put on my walking shoes and get to steppin'! Thanks, girlie!

Rebecca

Angela Baylis said...

What a sweet post for yesterday, Kelley! It looked like SO much fun! I ran a couple of years ago in a 10 mile run on July 4th. It was SO hard. You just reminded me of something... I am in the next age group up... 46 now! Maybe I should give it another try?

You are SO cool!
Happy Belated Mother's Day!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Kristen said...

Oh Kelley... I love your stories. I love how each one has a
I am NOT a runner. I am a cyclist and I can tell you this, I would rather do a century (100 miles) on my bike than run a 5K. Ha Ha!
Bless you sweet lady!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Oh, I am so proud of you! and a little envious!

Nicole - Life in Progress said...

Such cute pictures! I'm with you on treadmill running....it's the way to go especially with fan and TV for distraction!