I used to be one of those people who mouth-off, "The only time you'll catch me "running" is if someone were chasing me!"
Then cancer, HORRIBLE, EVIL CANCER struck our lives.
June 1st, 2009, we sent our good friend, man and woman's best friend, Weston, off to the Meatybone gates.
We adopted Weston as a puppy a few scant weeks before saying our "I do's".
Lymphoma claimed his life a tender seven years later.
I felt his loss deep in my bones.
I wept and prayed.
Prayed and wept.
Devestated.
Heartbroken.
He was my "Fwend".
*January 2009*
One afternoon, a few days following his burial, was leaning on the strength of a beautiful friend.
"I feel like pulling a Forrest Gump, getting up and running.
Just running. No particular destination. No goal. No direction. Just run."
She then asked the question that might not have launched a thousand ships, but launched my feet and subsequently the healing process,
"Why don't you?"
June 1, 2010 marked the 1 year anniversary of Weston's death.
It also marked a year of "running" that somewhere along the way discovered a destination, created a goal and found direction.
It also culminated in finishing my first 5K on May 1 2010, followed by two more that same month.
It runs through my blood now.
Pounding pavement.
Perspiration.
Going the extra mile.
Adrenaline.
Competition...
*1st Run*
"SCS 5K and 1 mile Tot Trot"
{SCS is "Southside Christian School": the kids school)
Mom & mySamuelson running the 1 mile Tot Trot
Mom & mySamuelson running the 1 mile Tot Trot
Mom running 5K.
Family Chick-Fil-A picnic post-race.
*2nd Run*
Greenville Hospital System "Swamp Rabbit 5K"
Time: 38.47
*3rd Run*
Freedom Weekend Aloft "Freedom 5K"
Time: 28.49
*First 5K I ran the entire way!*
Ahhh Shucks Forrest....I should have said "Life is Like a box of Chocolates" and we should get some. Imagine all the chocolates we would have :)
ReplyDeleteA year? mmm I didn't remember......but I did know it was close to.... well you know....A year for Weston and 9 months for....us.
The summer of change.
One day I will tell you about the talk I heard on "The Gift of Cancer". It was an interesting perspective.
Great Pictures I love them big :) Run Baby! RUN!!!!............. and get some chocolates!
xoxo,
Me
I love those Freedon 5K pictures are fantastic. And what a time improvment. Are you familiar with the Daily Mile? You can track your workouts and friend people and get motivation. Not that you seem to need it. You can find the link on my blog. It is on the sidebar. Keep taking those pictures. With my upcoming knee surgery in questions and my running future looking bleak, I wish I had more race pics.
ReplyDeleteI have something for you!!! Come check it out!
ReplyDeletehttp://nodontandstop.blogspot.com/2010/06/remember-me.html
Have a good day!!! :)
Ah...great pictures. So sorry about your dog..heart breaking! And yet...what an example of taking pain and turning it into something wonderful. Beauty for ashes.
ReplyDeleteAnd...I might just add that I HATE running with every bone in my being. So painful. I'm not fond of lactic acid build up...ha ha
So..you have my deepest admiration and respect!!
Hooray, hooray, I found your blog!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet dog. Pets can really fill a special place in our lives, and when they're gone it's so hard to get moving again.
You go girl! You look fantastic!
I'm so sorry about your loss with Weston. Pets are such a wonderful gift and really do become part of the family. I know about getting your strength and comfort from a beautiful friend. Thank God for his support. Also, loved these pictures and what a great way to run and put your energy into something so productive.
ReplyDelete