The signs are all aligned!

There is a song by Five Man Electrical Band called “Signs” that says

“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?”

Today has been all about signs!

This morning was the first run of my 13.1 training program.  I was afraid the day was going to start out rocky because lately the air quality had been rough.  Rough that is for those of us that suffer from breathing issues.  I’ve had to up my breathing meds and with another day of “Air Quality Alert” status on tap I was nervous.  To nip it in the bud as Barney always used to say, I took a breathing treatment so I could at least start off the day with a full deep breath.  A little wired after but good! 

This is where the first sign comes into view.  A hot air balloon!

I immediately thought of the mantra that is coursing through my mind and blog.  You know the one, UPWARD and ONWARD!  Now I’ve been up in a hot air balloon briefly once before and since I am terrified of heights I’ll probably never go again.  However, the sign of the balloon was not lost on me.  I might be too afraid to climb up in one of them but I am still more than capable of going UPWARD and ONWARD.  Only I can hold me down.

Upon arrival at the store to meet up with my new running group what do I see when I look down as I am stepping out of my car?

A LUCKY PENNY! 

I’m not really superstitious or anything but again, another sign.  I tucked that shiny penny in my running pouch for good luck.  I think I’m going to let Abe hang out in there until after the Middle Half because he was sprinkling the good luck this morning.

I had perhaps one of the best, strongest runs in my brief running adventure.  Not bad considering it was the first of the training and you know I’ve been nervous.  Nervous about not being able to keep up, disappointing my coach, embarrassing myself or worst of all, realizing I might not have it in me.  I know I’m going to have a few rough patches along the way but today proved to me that I CAN do it!

More signs along the way, literally.  There were neat little bright yellowy-green signs placed along our route so everyone knew which way to go.  I like that!  When you are usually bringing up the rear it feels good to have a guide (sign!) along the way so you don’t lose your way. 

I also met a new running friend today.  C has completed a half before and has come back for more.  What is even better, like me and P, she is going to train with intervals.  We were like the Three Amigos, Three Musketeers or possibly the Three Stooges this morning but we hung in there and ran STRONG!

When we arrived back at the store our coach came up and asked us if our feet were sore?  What?  Then he said, are your feet sore from kicking butt today?  WOW!  High praise when you went in nervous. 

We’ve got this! 

There will be times when I will want to cuss, cry or both but I’ve got this!  My runner high has kicked in and I’m feeling the glow.

There is another part of the song that I mentioned earlier that goes like this:

“So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own little sign

I said, "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me. I'm alive and doin' fine."

That’s what I’m doing.  I’m making my OWN sign.  When I’m done it is going to be a little pink oval on my car that says 13.1!