Chris and Jill
Ran my very first 5K this month and it was exciting!!! I had no idea what to expect. Now when I think back about this experience I realize there were so many lessons to learn and it wasn’t just about running a race. It has everything to do with life in general.
When you embark on something new, find a mentor! I could not have done this race if it’s wasn’t for my cousins Chris and Lynn. They gave me suggestions on what to do before and during the race. Whenever you start something new, why struggle alone? It was much easier to tackle this goal by following those who have done it before me.
Be still and enjoy the journey. If you’re not taking time to quiet your mind you’ll burnout. There’s so many distractions these days. We have to force ourselves to stop and see the beauty in what’s around us. Sometimes those breaks find us! The morning of the race it was a beautiful fall day in Chicago. I couldn’t help but stop and take a picture of this moment where it was so quiet and peaceful at Buckingham Fountain.
Develop your posture and skill set. Stand up straight, chin up, be confident, you have so much to offer! Smile and be happy! Life is so much more enjoyable to be around people who are happy. Like attract like. Think about The Strangest Secret…we become what we think about. Act ‘as if’ it’s already happened.
So here I am before the race, never ran a 5K before. In fact I always hated running in high school. I dreaded running that mile in gym class ugh! Now I have a desire in me to run so I bought running shoes, trained my body and mind. I’m ready!
Chicago 5K Hot Chocolate Race Start Line
Getting started is the hardest part. I could barely see the ‘start’ line it was so crowded. It is so hard to even see in this picture. There were tons of people at this race. I believe the count was around 20,000 people. As we approached the start line I was excited and nervous all at the same time. Once we actually started and ran a little bit the crowd spread out and it was much easier the rest of the way. Don’t you get frustrated sometimes when you begin a project? Then every time we push through and do it we look back and realize it’s just that part where we have to start that can be the most challenging.
Learn to weave in and out, keep moving forward and do what hurts. During the race there were times when I had to run around people, pull back and move to the left or right, hit a blind spot from the sun and kept looking down so I could at least follow my cousin’s feet and then of course there came a point where it was work and not easy. Pace yourself and know there will be challenges along the way. You may have to do what hurts. There can be many obstacles in anything that we pursue. Learning to find solutions and doing whatever it takes will get us closer to the finish line.
Slow and steady wins the race. There was an uphill section at the end of the race that I was able to complete because I didn’t run full out the entire time. I remember at one point thinking I was going to tire out then I remembered to slow down a bit and save some energy for the finish. Once I saw the finish line that was it. I KNEW I could do it. At that point I had a surge of energy and was able to pick up the pace and cross the finish line. What an amazing feeling! Your energy is your #1 asset. Use it wisely.
Chris & Jill at the Post Race Party
Celebrate every victory whether it’s big or small! Completing a 5K race has been a dream of mine for a few years. It felt so good to say, “I finished!” My cousin and I then went to the post race party and celebrated with hot chocolate and chocolate fondue. Oh it was soooo good!!!! What goals and dreams do you have? Are you taking a step towards your goals? I don’t know, all I know is life, relationships, health, business, you name it, if we don’t push ourselves to do more it’s easy to get comfortable. When you stick your neck out and stretch to do more you’ll make progress. I hope this helps you reach higher and live your dreams!
Chocolate fondue YUMMY!
Oh and by the way I ended up finishing as number 5,809 out of 18,363 runners. Hey that’s means I finished with the top 30%. Not bad for my first time and I ended up running a 10 minute mile. Always know your numbers. : )
Love & Success!
Jill
Mmm...Hot Chocolate!
