Turning The Page

This is the day after my first 5K since having open heart surgery 6 months ago.  Last year involved quite a few medical issues for me. It started with cat scratch fever, a bumble bee sting in my ear while I was on my motorcycle, and a broken leg.  I remember sitting in the hospital, several times last year, wondering if this was it for me--to be continually plagued by these unfortunate occurrences.  Or, was it just a long stretch of bad luck?

Back when I was in the Navy stationed at the sub base, we used to run daily.  We really didn't do kilometers, we did miles.  I biked 10 miles to work, ran for lunch, biked home and swam several times a week at a beautiful pond in Connecticut--alligator free.  Beach Pond.  If you are ever near there, make it a point to go there.  I still do not know how many miles a 5K is.  After yesterday, I will admit it is farther than I thought!

I have been walking for lunch at work pretty much daily in preparation for this event.  Thank goodness I did, or else It would have taken me forever to complete it. I registered, showed up and joined about 160 people in the race.  People of all types, from kids, to those in their late 70s.  One gentleman was walking with aluminum crutches or poles to help him.  That was inspirational.  I talked a while with a young lady friend who had finished the New York City Marathon.  I knew she would do well.  One lady who has diabetes was out walking.  She said she saw me walking for lunch and decided to do it for herself.  Of course there were the pros out there as well.  Those who live for this, those who immediately upon completion, jump on their bikes and pedal for miles afterwards.  I just wanted to finish, that was my goal.

As the race started, the fast runners took off.  I lagged behind walking as to not get in their way.  It surprised me how fast everyone took off,  Even those of us who were walking.  I walked as fast as I could to keep up.  The president of the college jogged past me for a while then fell behind, which I think was to encourage those in the back.  I followed a group who had a fast steady pace.  My iPod nano talked me through each kilometer, "You have completed one kilometer," the sweet female voice loudly proclaimed.  The route was a beautiful one with roads closed for us, but I only looked forward, never looked back once.  I wasn't in it to win, I just wanted to finish.  Several people did pass me by including ladies pushing baby carriages.  That's when I started jogging.  Finally, I saw the finish line, but the route was taking us away from it!  In my mind I thought, oh no, but it was just a few hundred yards farther, then the route continued back headed to the line.  I ran across the line.  I did it.  I finished.

Doctors, hospitals, nurses, medications, wheelchairs, crutches, hopping on one leg trying to take a shower or to drive, all of that is behind me now.  I'm turning the page and headed into a new chapter.  As I sit here reflecting, I am fortunate to have finished and to be able to walk or run.  Many cannot. The human spirit is incredibly strong.  Stay strong.   If you can run, do it.  Never stop.  It's time to finish my coffee and get out there and enjoy the day.  Today I am riding, destination unknown.