Run, Run, As Fast As You Can!

So, I guess the theme here is getting a little old, but bear with me there were some surprises to this one. Today was the Mulvane 25th Annual Old Settlers Day Road Race. Kenton spread the word about the one mile fun run and got some unlikely joiners. Team Hammerhead may have some new members after today.
At about 6:05 this morning I opened our front door to see two car loads of people waiting on us to follow us down to Mulvane. The Marshall's and The Berryman's joined up to give this "running thing" a go.
And a go we did.

Here you have the One Mile Crew. (From left to right): Jedidiah, Kenton, Duane, Jamie, Maria, Payge, and Paul.

And here you have the faithful cheering section.

The one mile began promptly at 7:30. With the sound of the starting gun the crew was off and before you knew it they were back. Jedidiah led the pack so quickly that I didn't even see him until he came up behind me after his 7min.30sec. finish. (Which is awesome!).

Next up was Kenton in at 8:05

Closely following was Duane.

Next up was Maria and her red shoes!

Paul rounded the corner with a smile, so that's always a good sign!

Mama Jamie and Daughter Payge brought up the rear

They all did a great job. A few notes to encourage them. Duane and Maria haven't run in over a year and Maria just had her third baby in February! Paul and Jamie have never really run AND they just quit smoking two weeks ago! Kenton and I couldn't have been more proud of all of them! Jed ran like the wind and Payge kept up with the adults!

After they all came in and cooled down, I started wishing I had just done the one mile with them so I could be done too. But I was crazy enough to sign up for the four mile and it was time to go line up.

Everyone started asking, "Where's your Dad?" "Kenton is you father in law running today?"

Yeah something was missing. Team Captain and the official photographer (otherwise known as my Dad and Mom) couldn't make it today. So For the first time I lined up alone, picked my "Run for Him" play list, and waited for the gun. With the bang I was off, thinking to myself, "Why am I doing this?" Too late now, just set your pace and get it over with. I learned quickly that if I can listen to worship music I can zone out and just run as unto Jesus.

Well, after several corners, two spraying fire hydrants, one aid station, lots of waves from the locals, continuous mini pep talks 'come on you can do this' and one last corner it was almost over. I could see the finish line and now a man in a blue shirt was running towards me. It was Duane. He was yelling, and cheering and waving his arms like a loon just to give me that last push I needed.

I passed my wonderful friends and family and crossed that dang line.

It took me about one more second to finish, causing that clock to say 36:40. With that, I just completed four miles for the first time in my life. I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't proud.

I drank some water and before we knew it we were all off on our separate ways. I called my parents and let them know I made it.

Kenton's words rang in my head all the way home. "Do you see what you started?" Now maybe I didn't "start" it, but I'm so glad I got the wild hair to go run one cool morning in June. As a result I've grown closer to my Dad, started a new lifestyle to pass on to our son, found something to share with my husband, and I got to watch four of our greatest friends push themselves into a healthier life! Love you all and can't wait for the next one!