The Peachtree Roadrace is the largest 10K in the country and one of the largest in the World.

Nearly two years ago I was sitting on my apartment balcony eating cereal.  I think it was some type of Kashi Go Lean and some vanilla soy milk.  I was sitting there overlooking Peachtree Street as 55,000 people ran past my building, down 10th Street and capped off in Piedmont Park.  I woke up pretty late, so I saw the last of the 55,000 runners as they took part in Atlanta’s #1 tradition – the July 4th Peachtree 10K Roadrace.  As I sat there sipping my vanilla soy milk out of the bottom of my favorite breakfast bowl (it has little legs.  I’m serious) and thought to myself, “I want to do that one day…!”  I remember calling my now ex and saying it out loud – as if saying it out loud will somehow make it really, really, really real.  Now 2 years later, I meditate on how much has changed.  For starters, I don’t eat cereal any more and have to find new, creative ways to use my favorite cereal bowl.  Then there are those other changes – the ex, the view from my apartment (I can no longer see Peachtree Street thanks to the new high rises being built), my career, my weight, etc.  My life.  I am neither where I was nor where I want to be – but isn’t that where you’re supposed to be at 27?  I feel on my way though – definitely headed in the right direction.  We want life to be linear (that’s where our control issues shine).  Life isn’t linear.  It’s very cyclical.  And I think these moments we have remind us of that.  Where we see who we were and where we are – and where we are now – and where we want to be.  Little landmarks.

Do I think I’m going to run the whole 6.2-miles.  Well, to be honest, I don’t.  But does this mean I didn’t wake up at 5 am to register  for the race or commit myself to a 10-week running group at 7:30 am on Saturdays – or got so over-heated one day running that I thought I might throw up – or was so overjoyed on another run that I felt surrendered to all things?  Everything like this has happened.  And it’s been a journey.  Now down 82-pounds and counting, I am proud – so very proud – of how far I have come.  I never really thought I’d ever take part in “those” races.  They were for other people.  All those “other” people were doing it that day I watched from my balcony at ate my cereal.  Friends at 4th of July parties I’ve attended the last 15 years.  ”Those” people did the Peachtree Road race and wore their t-shirts at the cookouts afterwards and talked about how hot it was.  It was for them…”they” did it.  But now it’s for me.  Just as I am right here and right now.  Imperfect and dreaming and pushing my goals forward.  Anxious to wake up at 6 am and get on MARTA and take it to Lenox Mall.  Anxious to get to the Start line. Anxious to get to the Finish Line at Piedmont Park (a few blocks from my apartment…I am so lucky!).  Anxious AND excited!  I will be with 55,000 people tomorrow – walkers, runners and in-betweeners – I’d like to think it’s a testament to my commitment to challenging myself and pushing my health further and further.  I am the very first person in my family to do the Peachtree!

I have to give a HUGE thanks to my friends & family who have supported me these last several months and have wished me well tomorrow.  I can’t wait to cross that finish line – even if I am wearing a nerdy “Fuel Belt” (H20 bottles attached at my waist) – I know people will be jealous  It makes me feel prepared and maybe a little bit like a nerdy Super Hero.  

I can’t wait to report back tomorrow on how it goes!  

From a novice Peachtree Road race runner.

This is from my blog Live Life To The Fullest