* Joshua's Journey: My Champion!

I did it! I completed the half marathon! I am so proud of myself! One month ago I broke two toes and was sad and depressed. It seemed like God had yet again taken away something near and dear to me. It didn't make any sense, breaking two of my toes at the worst possible time for Disney World and for my training for the half. Training had been such a sacrifice for Daddy and me to coordinate, but it was good to take a step away from mom responsibilities for a moment and try to use that time to pray and heal. But once I broke my toes, my training was over. I did not run for 4 weeks. It was a very frustrating and disheartening time because I figured I would barely be able to walk within the maximum allowed time of 4 hours. I debated about even participating.

BUT...a few days before the race my toes started feeling less sore and I figured I could try to jog as long as possible and go from there. So I started the race with my NICU friend Callista running at her pace of 10:30ish...and I kept running...and kept running! My toes were super cold and didn't warm up until 3 miles, and didn't hurt too bad until the 10k. But I kept going. I was close to NCH by this time and I really didn't want to stop, so I kept going. Shortly after running past the hospital I told Callista to go ahead and I walked on and off during the last 3 miles.

At the start a mom read my sign on my back and asked about Joshua. Another man encouraged me saying we were fundraising and running for a great cause. A woman during the race asked about you too, how early you were, how little, etc. I got to celebrate your story during the day and just think back on the hard year it was and being so thankful of the outcome. Thinking of all your NICU friends, all your primary nurses, all the patient champions, all the kids that were on the holiday giving commercial with you last year, thinking of Madi (Cami's twin who passed away) emotions came in waves throughout the race. As I neared the finish though I really wish my toes could have cooperated to sprint to the finish. So I could pound my emotions on the pavement, it was emotional finishing for many reasons, but also because I really did not think I would be able to participate! I not only finished, but I ran about 90% of it! with 2 broken toes! Thank you Lord! Makes me want to do it again next year...hopefully I'll be healthy!