I'm 100% That...

A few things I never plan to do in life:

1. Eat at Waffle House
2. Eat cottage cheese
3. Watch The Office or Parks and Rec all the way through
4. Run a 5K, or any type of race

I've made it my life's goal to never eat at Waffle House. I won't stop others from enjoying it; I just don't want to eat there.

I once accidentally drank expired chocolate milk. It was soured and lumpy. I don't need to relive that nightmare by eating cottage cheese.

If you like those shows, I don't judge you at all. Good for you. They aren't my cup of tea, please don't judge me either.

Never say never.

Sometimes things you once thought impossible, become possible. I am accustomed to hard work. I've worked hard to accomplish a lot of things in life. Sometimes the little things, like making it to church on time, are great successes. Sometimes, it's the culmination of 4 years of hard work resulting in being the Salutatorian of your high school class. Or it's 3 years in the making, plus 10 months of studying and competing, to place 3rd in Parliamentary Procedure at FFA Nationals.

For people who know me, it might seem silly for me to say, but I think completing a half marathon has given me the greatest sense of accomplishment in my life. Not that I discount any of my other achievements. They all required a lot of my time and effort, but those all came easier, more natural, to me.

To put it into some perspective, Beth ran 190 miles while training for our half marathon. I ran 545 miles. No, that is not a typo. Even with all of my extra miles, I still only beat her by 2 minutes. Did I say I'm not a natural born runner??

Beth still convincing me I'm a runner.

 I learned if I set my mind to do something, even if it's hard, I can do it. I gained perspective for my students who struggle in school. How many times have they tried, put in extra work, and failed, but keep trying? Meanwhile, other students don't even have to try to get good grades. (Guilty!) I also learned why people put stickers on their vehicles with their race lengths, and quit judging them for it. 

RUNNING. IS. FREAKING. HARD. AND. THEY. EARNED. IT.

Sorry, not sorry!

Beth bought me a 13.1 sticker for my car as a thank you for being crazy enough to motivate her to run a half marathon. (Why these aren't awarded at the finish of a race, I will never know.) Needless to say, I proudly display my 13.1 sticker on the back of my car. I must admit, while putting it on the back windshield, a small part of me felt like I should be playing the opening line to Lizzo's song, Truth Hurts. If people see my sticker and think that, I understand. That was me once, too. I now know the amount of work that went into earning my 13.1 badge of honor.  

I also might, possibly, kind of, sort of, be ready to admit that I'm a runner. Maybe.