Motivational Monday-Steps For Students 2017

January flew by me this year.  I seriously have not been able to get a grip on things.  Here we are in February, to our first race of the year for our family. 

Steps for Students is an annual race we have started to take a part in to support our friends who have children in the surrounding Catholic schools.  It is a family fun run that is always fun to participate in and of course, contribute to the cause.  This year, it happens to be the first race we do as a family.

My son just turned eighteen this month and will be graduating in May.  Education has always been important to me.  I am trying to make sure my kids understand how important education should be for them.  As he becomes a young adult, I hope moments like this will keep him grounded.  I always enjoy running side by side with him, even if he does beat me by a whole 10 minutes. 

-Teaching them to start and finish things in life.
-You may not be the winner every time but you can continue to improve.
-Community can be, do, and overcome anything.
-In life you have choices, to watch life (the race) from the sidelines or to be a part of something.

We laugh.  We compete against each other.  We motivate each other to do better.  We do it together.

After each race, I always reflect about the struggle.  Because let me tell you, the struggle was real.  I have not competed in a race in a very long time.  Like I said, life has had me busy.  I set goals and then life happens.  When I started the race, I started side by side with my son.  Daddy pushed the Princess on the stroller because her struggle was real too this day.  She decided she was not running.  She wanted to be a part of the race but not actually participate.  I feel her pain.  That morning I thought, why did I do this to us?  Anyways, I told my son good luck as he took off right after we crossed the start line.  I then focused on not stopping.  It was hard.  I knew the faster I went, the faster I would finish.  My body started to play tricks on me.  Soon enough the water station was in the distance and I took my jog to a walk.  Passing the last trash can, my body knew it was time to start jogging again.  This happened a second time at the second water station.  I saw little kids, older people, and even nuns pass me.  Yes, nuns.  When I came around the corner, I could see the finish line and I knew what I had to do.  Run, Forrest, Run.  And just like that, it was over.  I did it. 

The journey along the way will make you think twice about your final destination but you must never forget what your goal is.  Mine was to start and finish this 5K.

Now, to start recovering for the next one.