Do Something That Scares The Hell Out Of You Every Day

The fourth of July has come and gone and I'm still waiting on fireworks...

Unfortunately for many Atlanta celebrators, fireworks were canceled due to rain that plagued the metro area last night. Thankfully, the group I was with was ju

bilant enough that the fireworks were hardly missed and, more likely, forgotten. I, however, am hoping that some rescheduled shows will be happening tonight so that I can catch the yearly tradition before summer rolls out.

While there were no fireworks, sparklers or even that much red, white and blue where I was at, I did enjoy the 4th of July in my own special way. This year I decided to yet again take on the Peachtree Road Race. Last year was my very first year running the 6.2 mile road race alongside Justin, Mel, Clay and Mrs. Anderson. We ran it in about 1 hr and 20 minutes which isn't terribly for a larger group of people with different levels of experience and bodily issues... heh. It was also the first time I had run anything over 3 miles before. I definitely enjoyed pushing myself during the race, but felt like it was something that might only happen about once a year.

So again, race day comes much to my chagrin as I had yet to run anything over 3 miles successfully in the weeks leading up to it. I was convinc

ed Justin was going to have to carry my butt for the last few miles or, at the very least, walk with me when I couldn't do it any longer. A few minutes before my wave (Y, the very last one!) I start to get nervous again, but decided I was going to try to run the entire race and if I needed to stop, I could, but I needed to always start running again. Let's just say it started out rough... super hot, I didn't stretch as much as a I should of, I missed the company of my friend pointing out funny things along the race and sometimes during the hills I walked a little as I caught my breath. Then at mile four something happened that I really didn't expect... I didn't want to stop at all. Not even for a hill, barely for the people ahead of me and surely not because I was tired. Before I knew it, Justin and I were crossing the finish line at an all out sprint! I was so stinkin proud of he and I and really not all that worn out!! What a difference a year makes : ) Hopefully our official time will reflect that!

Needless to say, I'm thinking about ru

nning longer distances and possibly doing a half marathon if I can hold on to the enthusiasm. As for now... I'm going to go stretch. While I was able to run the race and feel great, my body is feeling the need to remind me that training and proper stretching can keep you from feeling like an 80 year old the next day!