A Change In Plans

It's racing week!  Yes!  The Pumpkin Pie 5K/10K is only six days away (five if you count today).

Yet in some ways, I'm bummed.  My original plan and goal in signing up for this race was to run my first 10K (or 6.2 miles).  However, the last month has been horrible on any training I've been waiting to due.  Two weeks of a nasty cold that I've just started feeling finally over (my family is STILL battling it - and it's the beginning of week three).  And then there was the ingrown toenails.  Yes, toenails.  A double one on my right big toe after having my nail smashed during a difficult transfer at work (I swear, I'm about to start adding steel-toed boots to my scrubs; this is the 2nd time in eight months that has happened).  Even walking was challenging for over a week!  So I emailed the race coordinators and transferred by 10K entry to a 5K entry.  I'm a little bit sad, but exciting about the winter, as I've put in PTO requests at work to be able to run the Colorado Runner's Winter Distance Series... and two of these three runs are taking place while I am NOT in school.  So while I am not achieving my original New Year's Resolution to run a 10K this year, I am well on my way to tackling it early next year.

A new fun development to my running is that Emily is going to start running with me more.  It's something she's been wanting to do for a while and after her mile race this past September, she's determined to be able to run the whole mile next year.  And for an added bonus, we were introduced by my sister to a non-profit organization called I Run 4 Michael, in which "athletes of all levels and kinds are paired with children and adults with physical, mental, and developmental special-needs ranging from Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy to Autism Spectrum disorders, to physical deformities and disorders, to lesser-known disorders."  Emily and I have applied to be a running pair for a child who can't run themselves, which we are doing in order to create awareness for special needs and building a new relationship/support network!  It's a long wait list for a runner to be matched to a buddy (about fifteen weeks) so in the meantime, we are running in honor of my nephew and those kiddos who aren't matched yet while we pray for the very special someone God is going to put in our lives.  To learn more about them, or to apply to be a runner or a buddy, click on their link above or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/irunformichael.

I promise to post race pictures this weekend!  Emily and Ethan are going to run the fun run (as well as their cousin, who hopefully will be joining us) and then we are going to spend the afternoon after the zoo to celebrate Ethan's 5th birthday (how on earth did my little man get so old?!?) so it should be a fun-filled day.  Check back on Saturday or Sunday for an update!  But in the meantime, we're trucking in the fun and miles.  :)

Embracing the good times,

Debbie