INCREDIBLE!

Yeah, I know that all caps is like shouting out loud.  But, that's what I wanted to do after completing my second Half-Marathon.  Last Sunday...April 23rd.
Wooooooooo hooooooo!

April  of 2016 my friend Connie and I did the Naperville (Illinois) Women's Half Marathon.  We loved it! So, as soon as registration opened for this year's race (which was last spring), we "raced" to sign up.  :)  Pun intended.

Then, last summer we told our walking/running friends about the half and encouraged them to do it.  "You have plenty of time to train for it" we said.  Well, eventually there were 7 of us...pretty much our entire group...that registered for the race.  Then, all of a sudden, winter was winding down and race time was almost here!  Lots of training going on and a "just a bit" of nervousness.  Yikes!

It was a very different feel and completely different dynamics doing this race with a group of friends.  Different, but wonderful! What a bonding experience.
The energy, the anticipation, the nerves, the encouragement, the praise.
Every time I remember this experience, I'm reminded how blessed I am to be surrounded by this group of women.

Want to see a few (or lots of) pics from half marathon day?  I thought so.  Okay!

Pre-race, at the start line.

 The temperature was around 38 degrees F pre-race.  My fingers were SO cold.  But the sun was shining and the temps rose pretty fast.  Ideal weather for a half.
I think there were about 2500 women doing the half and nearly 2000 in the 5k.
In total, almost twice as many as last year.

Our team of 7 post-race, adrenaline still pumping!

From left to right: Me, Shawn, Carol, Michelle (in front), Cayce, Connie & Laurie.

Me with my finishers medal.  That thing is heavy!

Our friend Carol have to leave right away, so we missed her in these photos.  :(

This is my favorite photo.  So fun!

Five of us headed out for lunch after the race.  It was a day for "eat anything you want" for lunch.  Splurge!  I had a burger with fries and it was DE-licous.
We sat there and talked for a long time.  Lots of laughter, too.  We may have gotten a bit loud occasionally.  We got "the look" from a couple a few tables away.  Sorry, but not really.  It was a very special occasion and we were still pumped.
I still smile every time these memories pop into my brain.  Like...right now.

Guess what?  Our next race is two weeks from today.  "Only" a 10k this time.
I'm still amazed that I'm doing these races at this point in my life.  No, I am NOT bragging.  A lot of people do half marathons.
I'm amazed because just a 3-1/2 years ago I was 77 pounds heavier than I am now and had several health issues.  There was no way that I could have walked even a 5k at that time.  I have much to be thankful for and two of those things are the ability and the good health to be able to do the physical activities that I have come to love so much.  And...if I hadn't made the changes in my life that led me to where I am today, I may not have been surrounded be these wonderful women...in last Sunday's photos.  God leads us in ways and directions that absolutely amaze me.  For that, I am so grateful.

May God's Peace be with you all.

Friends in Fitness

Hello!  Long time, no talk.  Actually no writing, right?

Like most everyone else, my life has been full.  Full of many things.  But, let's talk about fitness friends, walking buddies...whatever you choose to call them.  They are such a blessing to me!

Most of my fitness walking is done by myself, simply because my schedule doesn't coincide with those of my walking friends.  But on those occasions when several, or even 2, of us can meet up to walk and talk...it brings me such joy.  I love walking outdoors and enjoying it with friends makes it even better.

Since my previous blog post (yes, many months ago) my friends and I have done several 5k races.  It was so much fun!  Such a difference from participating in a race on my own.  Until this year, I only knew these from church.  Except one.  We were neighbors many years ago.
Once we realized that we had this common thread of getting/staying fit, one thing led to another.

We've been racing together and having a lot of fun.  These women are funny, motivating and supportive.  Who could ask for more?  Not me.  :)

I'll share a few photos of what we've done so far this year.  Some are from races and some from our group walks.

April 17, 2016

May 22, 2016 - It was hot!

May 30, 2016 - 8 miles!

 

 

 

June 4, 2016 - Rochelle Hospital Hustle 5k.  Several members won medals!

July 5, 2016 - It was a long, hot & sweaty walk in the late afternoon!

March 12, 2016 - The Lucky Hub Dash 5k.  What do you think of our home made tutus?  This was SO much fun!

Not a group photo, but I just had to share this goofy "ballerina" pic of me. :)

We've walked all kinds of weather.  ALL kinds.  We walked in a blizzard of blowing snow/sleet and very cold, last November in a 5k race.  Connie and I walked about 8 miles early on a Saturday morning this spring.  It was 24 degrees F and windy.  Wow, so cold.  Lots of mild, pleasant weather.  We try not to go out in hot weather, but sometimes the weather gives us a surprising warmup as we're walking!

We have more races planned for this year.  A 5k in early August, a 5k in early October and a 10k in late October.  I can hardly wait!  Oh. I'm still trying to decide whether I'm signing up for that late November race this year.  Snow???

Hey, get out there and move.  You'll be glad you did!

Walking Buddies

For much of the past 2-1/2 years that I've been distance walking, I've walked by myself.  That's okay, but sometimes it sure would have been nice to have a walking buddy.  Finally, one day at church, my friend Connie and I decided we should meet up and go walking together.

Oh yeah.  The time and miles went by so quickly AND I had a great time.  What a boost to my motivation, too.  I highly recommend finding a walking partner!

Here's a pic from yesterday, when Connie and I finished a very long walk.

The temp when we headed out a 7 am was 24 degrees F, with a windchill of 17 degrees.  The big plus was...we had sunshine.  Finally!!!  Even though the air was cold, the day was beautiful.  I don't know if I would have braved that cold air if I hadn't committed to this walking date with Connie.  I was determined not to back out.  And...I'm so happy that I didn't.

About a  month ago, a couple of other friends from church asked if they could walk with us.  You bet.
So we created a private Facebook page for all of us to use, just for coordinating weekend walks on the bike path.  Who can go, what time...etc.
Here are a few pics of our walking group, from several different weekends.

I am so grateful for the friendships I've made through this fitness journey I'm on.  Just imagine how many more friendships will develop through the coming years.  Because, you know...this is a lifetime journey.

Friends are truly a blessing!