My Dad died in his early 50's. My Mom died in her early 60's. My siblings are all gone too. I thought of my entire family today as I participated in a 5k race. Here I am, 60 years old and physically able to run/walk a race!
I was doing something that my parents and brother and sisters never had the chance — or the ability to do.
Several years ago an orthopedic Dr. told me that my knees were a disaster waiting to blow out. I've had to have them drained and been given injections of cortisone. There are days they are so stiff with arthritis I wonder how I'll make it across the room. Yet today they carried me 3.1 miles to the finish line.
It's been a gradual process. Months in the making. Weeks went by that I didn't see any progress, but I wasn't willing to give up on the idea that I can lose weight and lower my health stats (blood sugar, cholesterol and pressure) and spend the rest of my time on this earth taking care of what God has blessed me with.
Coming to the realization that my weight and my food choices are a direct reflection of my relationship with Christ has given me the desire and determination to make permanent changes in the way I live my life.
Walking was a way to get my heart rate up and burn some of those extra calories that quickly stack up. The Dr. advised that walking was the only way to slow the progression of arthritis. Walking has been a stress reliever. Walking has empowered me and given me physical, mental, and emotional strength. Walking has given me confidence.
I've had the motivation to stick with it because of the FP4H Bible study and the Made to Crave class we've just finished.
The encouragement and advice I've been given by my daughter Jody has been invaluable.
I've been blessed with the physical ability to get out there and move.
Today's race was called the Thin Mint Sprint.
I expected to see Thin Mints at the finish line. No Thin Mints, but the water, granola bar and banana suited me fine.
I expected to improve on my time. I beat my last race by 2 minutes.
I expected to be in the back of the pack the entire race. I finished 1st in my age division!!! (ok, full disclosure I was the ONLY one in the 60+ category — but still...)
Today was a minor miracle. A spiritual marker. I'm moving faster than I ever thought I could or would at age 60. I'm losing weight. I'm feeling good. I'm learning that with God it's never too late for a fresh start and a strong ending!
