Hi everyone! I made it 1/10th of the way. It wasn't so bad. I keep thinking back to my running program and how I was so hard on myself. It was all in my head. And in my blood oxygenation issues, it turns out. I got my lab results back and my hemoglobin is up to 11 and my hematocrit is at 38 which means I have normal iron values now. On the low end of normal - but still normal. It's funny, I don't really feel it in other areas of my life - but when I run - I'm just amazed. I feel like I could keep going after the 5K and I recover so much more quickly than I used to. The body is an amazing thing.
On Sunday, I went to meet up with Caitlin at her apartment complex and we walked to the gym there. We both hopped on treadmills and went on our way. It makes SO much of a difference to have a gym buddy. It's not only the comfort you feel, but you share a sense of pride with that person at the end of your workout - because you did this - this thing that sounds awful - and you did it together.
Caitlin is going through her own life changes right now and her progress has been amazing. She is doing 3-4 miles of running a day and she's only been running for a few months now. I am so amazed by her and her progress - not to mention, her ability to stick to a schedule/plan. Cait - I sometimes look at you in such awe because you have yourself together. You are such a hard worker, and a wonderful kindergarten teacher - those kids are very lucky to have you to start off their school-age careers with. I'm so proud of everything you've done. You challenge me to be better and do better. Thank you for being such a great workout buddy and a wonderful friend.