Here in the US and Canada, Thanksgiving is originally celebrated every year as a moment to say thanks and appreciation for all the blessing of the harvest as well as the upcoming years. It is the occasion when we express our gratitude for all those blessed days. In the US, it's celebrated every fourth Thursday in November.
And speaking about being blessed, I constantly feel grateful for all the blessings given to me and my family. Although it might be in a different context, but being blessed and grateful for what have been bestowed upon me and my family help me get through difficult and challenging times.
One moment I truly fee blessed is when I joined Abbot Dash to Finish Line - 5K.
For many if you here, perhaps joining 5K run is nothing special. But for me, it's the first experience that is so enriching. Being a breast cancer survivor and had a life-changing experience during the recuperating process, I have been struggling to life healthier.
Never in my life I imagine myself joining a 5K run. Never!
Well, sport had never been my cup of tea, although I love yoga, swimming and diving so much. But running is surely at the bottom of the list.
Then as I join Making Strides against Breast Cancer since 2014, I started walking and jogging for fun. The last Making Strides, I walked for a full 5 miles.
That surely boosted my spirit and when my colleagues asked whether I would join UN Team for Sustainable Goals 5K run, I decided to say yes!
Yes.. And then I just realized that I had no experience on it all, let alone the stamina required to finish it!
But then, when there's a will, there's a way indeed. I started to get myself used to the jogging and running with Rudi, my hubby by doing it every morning, plus some cycling session at home to help me with breathing. My hubby was super patience with me LOL, as I have zero experience on it at all.
After merely two weeks of continued exercise, I started feeling slightly more confident. Of course my pace is still horrible but the fact that I run at all is quite surprising, even for me.
A day before the race, I took the number and the t-shirt at Javits Center.
What a vibe! Everyone was sharing the joy of running and many of them joined the Abbott run and TCS NYC Marathon as well
A day before the race, I took the number and the t-shirt at Javits Center.
What a vibe! Everyone was sharing the joy of running and many of them joined the Abbott run and TCS NYC Marathon as well
I arrived at 7.30 at the venue and tried to look for the UN team. We had photo session with everyone in the team and it was super fun indeed.
the UN Team..photo courtesy of Bo Li :) |
cheers |
I was a bit worried as there were so many people there.
Of course, Indah..it's one of the popular events here in NYC.
How if I couldn't finish it? How if I fall or tripped? How if I am running out of breath?
How if....
So many 'how if' that are so disheartening but I manage to overcome it and make a mental note that I would do my best but I wouldn't force myself too much :). Besides, my colleagues Erma et Radi really encouraged me to try as much as I can.
Then I just ran.
Ran then brisk walked, ran again and brisk walked when I ran out of breath.
Pretty amateur but for me, it's not just the run, it's more like allowing myself to be out of my comfort zone and try something new and challenging.
It's about being so blessed with the current health I have and try to improve it.
I love the fact that other runners are so supportive as well.
Regardless whether you know them or not, they look at me and some other people struggling to constantly run and encourage us to continue.
Every mile, I took a selfie of myself (I know it slowed me down but couldn't help it :)) and I saw how happy I was!
It feels good to actually challenge yourself and do something new.
While almost come to the finish line, I felt like crying ... not for being exhaustive but for being so grateful to be able to do it. Previous years, I was stuck with chemotherapy and all other procedures as part of my race for a better health. And look at me now...Alhamdulillaaah.
Then, after taking pictures here and there, I finished the race in 1 hour LOL.
Tired, but super happy and feel ultra blessed!
cheers...we made it! |
That's my little story about NYC Abbott Dash to Finish Line 5k.
Have you joined similar event? How do you like it?
Hope to join more :) |
I am so proud of you Indah! Running really is hard (it's at the bottom of my fitness list too) so you deserve a big pat on the back for making it across that finish line. A job well done!
ReplyDeletethank you, Theresaaaa....I am so proud of myself as well :)
Delete"Every mile, I took a selfie of myself (I know it slowed me down but couldn't help it :)) "
ReplyDeleteHaha... pokoknya fun ya mbak.
Sehat dan segar selalu mbak. semoga kita terus dikaruniai-Nya kesyukuran.
iyaaaa mbaaaa...I am sooo grateful :)
DeleteMbak Indah kereeen banget, aku boro boro 1 K. Kudu semangat, olah ragaaaa aach
ReplyDeleteayooo mbaaa...semangaaat :)
DeleteMama Bo, kereen, masiih kuat lari jauuh
ReplyDeleteNot an easy task. I struggle with running because of my asthma and I have an underdeveloped left ankle, so I have to wear special arch supports. Go you! That's amazing for sure!
ReplyDelete