My first 5k run and leaning into your purpose

I ran my first 5k walk/run this morning. It was great. My daughter-in-law was the fastest female. I have lost 40 lbs. over the last year and think that I am getting in better shape. My wife and some good friends did the walk/run together. I knew I was in trouble when I was passed by a lady pushing a baby stroller. Notice the pic with the stroller and my view.

There goes the baby stroller

When I got to the finish line my friend, Chris, (see pic) was waiting for me. I started off keeping up with her and I think I could have done it if it hadn’t been for the dog that chased me off the path, the runner who pushed me into the lake and the official who sent me down the wrong path. (Just kidding about the official.) While we waited for others we talked about what we learned running our first 5k. Chris talked about wearing long pants, jacket (it was cold) and

the stuff that bogs you down. What do we carry through life that bogs us down? What do YOU carry that bogs YOU down? Bitterness, indecision, disappointment, fear? I told her that I watched her leave me in the dust, rather the mud, and how she would run and then walk and then run and then walk. You get the point. She did what she could as much as she could and did not quit. She had a goal in mind, run this thing in less than 45 minutes, and she kept that in focus. Run, walk, run, walk… but never losing focus. Do you keep your focus? Do you do what you can as much as you can with your goal in mind. She did! Me? I ran, walked, walked, ran, walked, walked…. I wasn’t as focused. My only goal was to finish before that lady with the baby stroller. Bummer.