healthy

I set a goal for 35:00. I surpassed that. By myself.

The race was called "Defending Innocence" and is in remembrance of Jessica Lunsford, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped, raped and murdered all a few hours from my home. The race was all about protecting kids. This is an issue very close to my heart. An immediate relative tore my family apart through abuse on children. My life was broken to pieces from what this person did and the victim will never be the same.... I thought that this was simply be an issue I care about that I could support. Walking to the race and seeing the statistics, hearing the music... all to keep kids from experiencing what my family went through...what he did... was too much. I cried and cried. It brought the issue back in my mind. I took a break in my car and gave myself a pep talk. I would allow myself to cry later.

Also, I was alone. David didn't come. Surrounded by running groups, families and couples, with me fighting back my tears, I seriously did not want to run. But I did.

I ran so hard and pushed myself. I didn't wear anything to keep time. And with my progress, I was placing myself way above my goal.

At the end of the race, I turned the last corner to go under the bridge leading to the finish line. There were kids all over. There was a musician playing a melody on his guitar above the bridge. Then I saw my time. I felt such pride. I did it. I did it in spite of David not coming, in spite of not being the best runner, in spite of what this "immediate relative" did to my family. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions at once. I can't even explain it, but I couldn't keep from crying.

In a way, it was like I beat him. I beat cruelty to children. I beat reliance on a man. I beat my bad knees and my headache. He might be able to hurt my family, but I can fight back. I could put my mind to something and beat it.