Last Night, Jeff and I ran in our very first race together. It was called the "20 Minute Challenge", put on by the Running Room. I had a blast! We started off strong. And then a narrow place in the road seperated us and I misread Jeff’s hand gestures to mean "go on ahead without me, if I’m slowing you down". What I later found out is the wave of the hand meant "aw stupid bugs, flying around my face." haha WOW!

What I learned by this: Body language is very easily misunderstood!

So it was a 20 minute run. Marlene blew the whistle for us to begin our 10 minute run in and then she blew it again to resume the 10 minute run back to the start. Like I said before, I ran off ahead of Jeff for the first 10 minutes and then I thought, when we have to turn around I’ll have to catch up to him. So the people in front, then become the people in back. I couldn’t even see him when I turned around. So I ran harder. Couldn’t breathe-my asthma is worse outside (especially in the boiling hot sun, but I’m thankful there was a cool breeze.). I slowed to a short walk (pretending it was just to pick my humongus wedgie, which was half my problem.), then "sprinted" at about a 3 speed on a treadmill to finally see Jeff. He was jogging and I thought, "slow down, so I can catch you". He finally obviously read my mind and I was able to catch him. Once I did, he said "I can’t run anymore. My ankle and knee are too sore." And I said "that’s fine. We’ll walk it back."

Along the way, people ran beside us encouraging us, and cheering us on. We weren’t the last but we weren’t the first either. (At the beginning, everyone who attended got a free hat and a group picture taken. This photo will go in the Running Room magazine-so look for us in there!)

Even though, we walked the end of it, it was still a good race, and a very humbling experience for me. I know I could have most likely done a lot better, especially if Jeff was running along side me encouraging me, but I pray that will come in time. I don’t want to have kids until we have both lost 100 pounds! So far I’m down a little over 50…50 more to go and then I get to start Jeff’s 100lb decrease! I’m so excited for this.

I KNOW how much better a person feels when a majority of the load is removed. I’m so thankful for my Heavenly Father who walks beside me daily and carries my precious cargo for me, when I ask Him to that is!

Thank-you Jesus for beautiful hot weather, loved ones who care, and healthiness. Amen!

Off to continue making Network Cables at the office now-and then I’ll pick up Rika. I hope to take her on another walk for pictures today! Talk to you later, my friends,