Fighting my Demons...

So after much persisting on my sister's part, and funding from her, I reluctantly signed up for the police run. I ran it 2 years ago, and I was 20 weeks pregnant with Jude. I did it in 30 minutes then, because I had been teaching 4-5 times a week regularly, and was in good shape. So that being said, I hadn't done barely a stitch of exercise all summer, and last week I decided to up and run a couple times and barely managed 29 minutes. So today on race day, after I ate a slice of leftover chocolate cake for breakfast, and with a half hearted attitude, I went to the race. My sister who is an avid runner and has been training for weeks, was running the 10km for a challenge for her 30th birthday next week. I, wanted to try and run the whole way and knew my limits, so I ran the 5k. We both finished in a great time and felt quite proud when it was all said and done, that us Mom's could get out there and give it our all.
I am not a runner at all, but have ran off and one for the last 4 years to try and get some cardiovascular endurance and to keep the pounds from packing on after the babies. You could say I was fighting my demons, and that is truly how I always feel about exercise because as a child and as a teen, I loathed exercise. My Dad used to take us on these hikes, when we went camping, and to this day I don't how he put up with me. I was always dead last, whining the whole time and annoying as all get out. In gym class in high school, I was the girl who would be dead last on any run no matter how short, trying to take the shortcuts or not going at all and pretending I did. I actually failed P.E. in grade 11 and I remember when I took my report card home, my Mom asked "Who fails P.E.?" Most people now don't know this about me and now if I sometimes bump into old classmates from high school, they give me a double take when I tell them I am a Fitness Instructor and a P.E. teacher. One guy even started laughing, and said "Leanne, you, are a WHAT?..the same Leanne I went to high school with?". Yes it is true, I never had the opportunity to join any sports activities before high school, so by the time I got there, I was bad at sports, never made any of the teams and so in my anger I rebelled...I guess. And I was lazy, I hated running, hated any form of physical discipline and so I was not known for being physically active in the least.

So today, was another day I fought off the old nature and brought on the new...and I still don't LOVE running. But I do love the feeling of sweat, hard work, a changed attitude, growth, respect, and another day that I can say "I tried my best". Again, I don't know where I would be without my sister, who always lovingly encourages, supports and loves me, especially when I am down in the dumps, and my self-esteem isn't at its best. We have such different strengths and weaknesses and we have been able to support each other at different times and in different ways in our lives. It as a beautiful thing to see how God created us so different, yet so complimentary, obviously by HIS design...and for a reason. So, once I again I will PRAISE THE LORD for his Grace...and take my 26 minute run with a proud smile, knowing it is all by Grace.