If you’ve been following my FB or IG, you may have noticed that I’ve had some commitment issues with Core de Force. I tried to start it in November, but it was too soon after getting my appendix removed. So then I tried to start it again in this month, and I have my first half marathon at Disney coming up next month, AND a new CIZE class I’m starting, so those have interrupted my schedule with CDF.  And with 1 month until my first half marathon, I HAVE to go back to the program that got me started with the whole idea in the first place… 21 Day Fix Extreme. So here’s why…

I used to think I’d never run more than 3 miles without walking. And then I did this program for a week. After only 1 WEEK, I went for a run and didn’t stop for 5 miles. That was HUGE for me.

As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up with arthritis. I wasn’t able to run for many years. My physical strength and cardio endurance were poor for most of my life. I was happy with running 1 mile when I could, I was STOKED when I’d make it up to 3, but I was NEVER able to get past 3 miles. Never.

When I finished my first week of this program and went for a “quick run” that Saturday, I just kept going. When I would start to think I’d need to turn around and head home, I would realize I still felt good and would keep going. And going. And going. And going.

There are no words for how excited I was. It was about so much more than a running accomplishment. It was about overcoming something that had control over my life for most of it. It was realizing that all I had ever known of my physical limitations weren’t there anymore.

I was stronger. I was capable. I was doing things I thought I would never physically be able to do. And I HAD to keep going.

So runDisney, I decided that you would be next, all 13.1 miles of the Princess Half Marathon. That’s a lot more than 5 miles, but it no longer feels impossible for me. I’ve been working. I’ve been running. I’ve been building my strength and endurance. And I’m more and more excited with each run or workout that I do!

I’m sure there will be walking, crying (happy tears, I do that sometimes when I run), soreness I can’t imagine, and a whole lot of other things I can’t anticipate at the end of those 13.1 miles. But I am SO ready. Ready to do more things I never thought I could. Ready to be an overcomer, so I can show my kids that they can be too. I want to lead by example, and teach them not to be victims of any circumstance that comes their way.

I am not a victim of my circumstances. I will be better because of them, because I will continue to learn to be stronger than them. I will be thankful for the challenges that come my way, and I will face them head on. Because I’m able. And I will do what I can, for as long as I can, because I can.