What Running Has Taught Me

It had been a long and anxious wait, lacing up the sneakers through the past 18 weeks of training, through a gamut of weather conditions and dealing with just a few aches and pains along the way, but we've come so far in our running quest, all in the name of Mustard Seed Communities.

Finally, it was here - the culmination of all of our hard work-the big show- my first half marathon, knowing I didn't want to let down our supporters, friends, and of course all of the "Super Heroes" at MSC. Although it took me 2 hours and 41 minutes, I ran alongside my awesome teammate Kasey in her bright green and yellow outfit, through the woods, and picturesque residential streets, past "Larry the Lighthouse," encouraging each other through all kinds of uphills and long stretches of open road. I felt an emotional burst of energy sprinting toward the time clock, with all of my teammates cheering me on. Even though I was feeling "a bit" tired, so many of them came up to me saying I was aglow crossing the finish line. For sure, I had a flashback of all the times I was tempted to be discouraged or focus on the negative but didn't, from checking my fund-raising page and all that were inspired to support us, and all associated with MSC Jamaica.



Running has taught me many things - to live in the moment, to understand my body, it's needs and all it can do, and although I'm not the fastest runner, to be thankful for all that I have and all I can give. Michael and the team never once gave up on me, as crazy as a half marathon seemed to me, when we first started talking about it last winter. Mile after mile as long as I put in the effort, and it was certainly God who brought me exactly what I needed at all the right time in my life - the inspiration and power to accomplish great things, especially for my favorite cause.

~ Melissa