Crawling with the Turtles - Part II

At 4:30 a.m. this morning, my alarm sounded.  Unlike most days when it is time to get up, I did not fight it.

It was like the first day of school.  I had my clothes out and ready for wearing and the excitement was almost too much.

I showered, dressed and kissed my wife goodbye and I was off to the Turtle Krawl 5k Run/Walk.

I picked up one of my running mates and we headed to the race location, chatting about movies, music and life.

When we arrived, we walked to the starting line.  It was there that I made a very embarrassing discovery.

I was complaining a bit about the fact that I didn't wear gym shorts with pockets on the outside.  I was under the impression, at that point, I was going to have to run this 5k with my phone in hand.  I told my friend I was sure I chose a pair of shorts with the pockets on the outside.

Indeed I did.  I had put my shorts on inside out.  This was going to be great race day.

And it was.  But it was also fun.

After our pre-race selfie...

... it was time to run.

I started off a bit slow, but after a few minutes, picked up the pace and I was in the zone.

Minus a 15 second stop, I jogged the whole 5k.

As I approached the finish line, my friends by my side, I started to get a little choked up.  I was about to do something I had never done in my life:  start and finish a race.  In fact, up until recently, I had never dreamed of doing anything of the kind.  I was simply too big and would not make it.

When I crossed that finish line, something happened in my head.  I finally said goodbye to the "big" version of myself.  No longer would he cast a shadow over the person I am now.

When I look in the mirror, I see this new form... the old a ghastly visage that's haunted me for years lingering the background as a reminder of why I MUST keep pressing forward.

Completing the 5k did that for me.  Crossing that finish line was like the wiping of a slate.

So what do I plan to write on that clean surface?  A list.  A list of all the things I CAN DO now... and couldn't before thanks to my previous weight and size.

Chief among them... more races.  Maybe even a 10k or a marathon.  And hopefully, more pictures like this.

That's not just a picture taken after the race was finished.  It represents true friendship.  I couldn't have completed the race without these folks by my side.  They supported me and offered "friendship power ups" the whole way.  And I needed every single one of them.

I also couldn't have finished this without the love and support of my wife, children, mother and other members of my family and my closest and dearest friends.

My sincerest appreciation to all of you for being a part of this personal piece of history.  I can't say it enough, but understand it is meant every time I say it to you.  Today's race is one of my favorite memories.

Oh... I received this little beauty.  

Until next time dear reader.  Be infinite.