By the title of this blog, I know you’re concerned. How did I get into this? Why now? Well, I asked myself the same questions and it went down to this: I longed for something I used to do.

So let me give you some background on my relationship with running. In sixth grade, I joined a girls running club, where we would run around the middle school a few times. I did try out for track the following year but due to the mystery at the time for chest pains (later known as anxiety) I couldn’t, but I still loved running during P.E., running almost 2 miles every day. In 2016, my dad knew someone who was participating the 5k that year and offered to sign us up. This was the year when Miss America was crowned from my town and her parents owned an orthopedics, they would host an annual 5k, and she participated! That year, I was only seconds away from placing in third place. When I got to high school, I completely stopped. So back in January, my boss informed my coworkers and I about the chance to be sponsored to do the 5k. My only requirement for signing up is if I knew someone else would do it with me.

During this time, I didn’t hear from anyone. My twin sister, Savannah, was interested because she had found the love for running at the treadmill at home but had an injury with her knee. I had told her that she would still be able to run, I knew she would heal in time after signing up with me.

It wasn’t until a month before when one of my coworkers texted me asking if I was still interested in running the 5k, and I was down. Word for word she replied, “I think I want to do it! Trick myself into getting some endorphins.” So, she sent me the resources for the training and a screenshot of her google calendar of her training schedule. I decided for my training I would run a mile every day. I was starting to be consistent (once I bought a pair of Hokas) by running a few days a week. By the last two weeks, I wasn’t feeling great, seasonal allergies became my nemesis. The day before the 5k, my coworker dropped off my packet and goodie bag at work and I was ready. Also, the day before the run, savannah ran outside and told me that night with pure excitement that she was going to run. I started to feel better about the big day.

The day of, Savannah told me that she warmed up by running outside our house and offered to drive us to the event. All I did that morning was stretch for a long time. I met up with my coworker and told her about savannah running with us. I got to meet up with some regulars from the coffee shop and a girl I went to high school with. And when savannah told me that she made a playlist for running (fun fact, she never makes one, ever) I asked her to send it to me.

The race began, and I didn’t want to leave savannah’s side. We communicated when we would run or slow our pace to a walk. Maverick City, The Walls Group, and Upperroom were playing the entire time, and if you know me well, I did take pictures of each mile we accomplished. But there were times when I couldn’t keep up with savannah, so I pushed myself to run just so I make sure I didn’t lose her. I know that I was holding her back from her true limits, but I was still coughing and trying to catch my breath. I kept thinking to myself, “God, please help me run the race well.” I was asking for strength and the motivation so my energy would go to praising Him instead of worrying. What helped me the most was truly my sister. She would show me her watch when we completed each mile and truly waited for me. She didn’t have to, yet she knew how important this race was for the both of us. Earlier in the year, he made it a determination to run a 5k, and you can see the joy radiate on her face when running was brought into conversation. I wanted to believe for us that one of us wouldn’t do it alone. Because truly, we are never meant to run alone. Yes, our pace may not be the same or the endurance of great lengths, but to have someone encourage you and push the limits you have set for yourself be tested, that is a true friend.

When it came down to the last mile, we planned on sprinting towards the finish line. Later savannah would admit to me that he wanted to start sooner, but when I saw my boss waiting for my coworker and I, it hit me then. I nudged my sister with my phone in my other hand filming, and we bolted to the end. It felt like one of those coming-of-age sports movies, where the main character sees the one person they didn’t expect, the one they care the most about pleasing, show up to see your victory. I was so surprised then, now looking back, this is what my boss would do for anyone. It is with the most pride I can muster to say that I did beat savannah by a second. Did I hold it over her head? No, I didn’t want to turn something special sour. We also ran our personal best with 42 minutes, so we celebrated with coffee from the shop of course, and when I met up with my boss, I was told that our drinks were on the house. Best reward ever. It wouldn’t be a day with my sister without getting chic fil a before heading home. I didn’t have much time once I got back because I had to work my shift to close the shop that Saturday. It was a power move, since I did release endorphins.

What did I take away from this race?

• sisterhood is a blessing

• community is special when together

• rely on God, even when your mind wants to give up.

There’s this saying at my church that I remind myself of constantly, “I don’t give up, I just don’t quit.” and that sums up the battle I go through every day. I know to not give up when it seems like the best option. If you persevere, you can endure more than you’re letting yourself handle. It’s proven that doing the things you don’t want to do actually does something to your brain.

So will I do something like this again? I’m not sure. I will try to get back into running consistently again. It’s been a little under a month since the 5k and haven’t run since, so you can see where my priorities are. Maybe I’ll sign up next year and train for it more than this year. I learned a lot of what I didn’t do and what I am capable of. I’m so grateful for an amazing girl group of coworkers who support one another and the fruits and labor of sisterhood. I wouldn’t have this much of a positive if I hadn’t recognized the joy of the Lord becoming my strength.

Thanks for reading and thank you for being patient with me.

I have so much to tell you and catch up on!

KEEP POURING,

KHALIE, X