Race for the Cure

The YW presidency decided to participate in the Race for the Cure together. We challenged our YW to train for the 5k, earn money for their entry fee and participate in the race for one of their YW projects and join us in this journey. Boy, it was a journey!

I was thrilled to have something to train for, although the thought of running in an organized race freaked me out! Our YW president led Saturday workouts and another YW advisor led runs a couple times a week. I ran mostly at home on my treadmill, but did join the Saturday workouts a few times. Believe it or not, I started to feel prepared!

A couple weeks before the event, I fell down the stairs at my sis-in-laws, holding Luke. My feet completely went out from under me at the landing... and because I was holding Luke, I couldn't break my fall. I landed hard on my lower back and slid the rest of the way down the stairs. Poor Luke was terrified! Initially, I was more sore from the rug burns and bruises, but as the day progressed, I could barely move. Justin gave me a blessing that night. The next day, I was in extreme pain. I could hardly sleep and move. I decided it would be best to take a break from training for a week.

After a one week break and exactly one week before the event, I went for a run outside. I was surprised that I was able to complete the "trial" 5k, but my back still hurt tremendously. I decided it was best to wait until the race to run again. I felt uneasy taking the break, but I didn't know how much my back could handle. I didn't really have a goal time in mind, I just wanted to complete it and run the whole distance.

Everyone was buzzing the morning of the race. It was so fun to see all the YW excited and even a few gals from RS ran with us. I've never been to Race for the Cure before and it was so neat to see so many people out for such a great cause. Some of the shirts women wore were hilarious and others were tear jerking. It was humbling to be amidst so many people who were touched by cancer in some way. Whether themselves or a loved one.

I ran the race with my great friend Heidi. She was so wonderful to stick with me. I kept telling her to go ahead-- I know I held her back! It was great to be with someone-- I loved chatting and passing the time. Honestly, she did most the talking because I physically couldn't! :) I was grateful for the distraction. But. I did it!! I completed the race and not in terrible time either! I'll be honest, my back hurt most of the race and I was definitely sore afterwards, but I was just so happy to complete it.

Our whole gang...

Krista, Heidi and me...

Our YW presidency, minus Vanessa, our first counselor. (JaNae- sec, Mitzi- pres, Me- 2nd couns)

It was such a wonderful experience. I couldn't help but draw the parallels to life's trials. Sometimes, we're making the right preparations and we're on the right track, doing the right things. Unfortunately, that doesn't prevent trials from occurring. Sometimes accidents, mistakes, and hardships arise at the most inopportune time. Actually, they almost always arise at the most inconvenient time. But, we can't let those obstacles deter us from conquering our goals and achieving that which we have set forth to accomplish. It's not always easy and sometimes it hurts, but it's all worth it in the end. We can compete. We can endure. We can cross that finish line.

I'm grateful for the Spirit that prompts and guides me. I know our Heavenly Father is mindful of us. I know our Savior ran the race before us and I know that He's here running it with us again, it's just up to us to look around and find Him. I'm grateful for experiences like these and for the spiritual epiphanies that follow.