I'M ALIVE

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High of 80 forecast all week

I did it!

On my first day of week 9 of the Couch to 5K running plan, I was supposed to run for 30 minutes straight but I knew I'd be short of my distance goal. About 20 minutes into my run I decided I wouldn't stop running until I passed 3.1 miles (5k). I just kept my feet moving; one in front of the other; nothing was going to stop me today. My podcast trainer congratulated me at the 30 minute mark but that wasn't going to stop me. I continued running right through the 5 minute cool down. Seven tenths to go. The podcast ended and Kenny Chesney began singing, "I'm Alive." When I rounded the corner at my street I knew I had exactly three tenths of a mile to go. I felt more alive than I had in I don't know how long. At the 39:28 mark I crossed the finish line, having completed my goal of running 5 kilometers without walking. The plan promised to make me a 5k runner in about 2 months and it worked. My first official sanctioned 5k race will be the St. Pete Beach Classic on January 17. The lyrics to my victory song sum up my feelings :

So damn easy to say that life's so hard

Everybody's got their share of battle scars

As for me, I'd like to thank my lucky stars

That I'm alive...........and well

It'd be easy to add up all the pain

And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames

Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain

But not me, I'm alive

And today, you know, that's good enough for me

Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see

Today's the first day of the rest of my life

And I'm alive.........and well

I'm alive and well

Stars are dancin' on the water here tonight

It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight

This boat has caught it's wind and brought me back to life

Now I'm alive.........and well

And today, you know, that's good enough for me

Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see

Today's the first day of the rest of my life

And I'm alive..........and well

I'm alive and well