I am....COURAGEOUS

These were the words that spoke to me tonight. That made me realize that the choice that I made to run this half marathon in May is the right decision. We had some key speakers at a running seminar that I attended tonight. I took in a LOT of information but maybe none more important than:

You are:
COURAGEOUS
STRONG
POWERFUL
 ATHLETE
R.U.N.N.E.R

Funny...I never thought of myself as courageous. I've always thought of myself as weak, emotional, introverted, anxious, inadedequate and powerless. I've never really experienced any real courage. I've never had to "deal" with anything that put me so far out of my comfort zone.

6 months ago I made the decision to walk into my favorite running store and buy some new running shoes. Completely content with the resolve of doing another 5k and following the same 5k training I did before. While I was there they asked what my goal was and that is what I told them. "You already did the training, why not take it a step further"? I smiled, laughed a little at her, paid for my running shoes and walked out the door.

While training for the 5k, I realize the mileage was starting to get easier a little faster than anticipated. Upon talking to my husband I asked his thoughts about the half marathon and all he said was "If that is what you want to do, I will support you 100%". So, off to the information session I go.

I listened to what they had to say at the meeting and talked to my old running coach from NOBO. She invited me out to run in her pace group the following Saturday so that I could see the experiece for myself. That was it. That was all I needed to get me hooked back on running. That one measley two mile run in the freezing temps. I went in immediatly after, put my deposit down on the training and said a prayer. Not so specific but something like

"Lord, I don't know what I am doing but I know You know Your plan for me. I have to believe that this is it. I'm following Your lead. Guide me in my choices, whether it be in my mind, body or soul".

I can't believe that I would EVER sign up for a half  if I wasn't preplanned to do so. But I did and now I have passed the half way mark. Half way in my training, half way in my mileage, halfway to the FINISH.

But after tonight, I feel empowered, strong, athletic, courageous. I FEEL like a RUNNER.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.