The cost of getting healthy!

I have made a commitment to myself that 2009 is the year I will finish the journey I started in January 2006 - have my skin removal surgery and get back to working out at least 30 minutes a day 6 days a week. One of the goals that I set for myself is to find 5k races in Mid-Michigan and walk one each month, March - October 2009.
So I've been walking my dog as often as my work schedule will allow to get some training in and I thought the shoes I had gotten would be great for my new venture . . . I was wrong! So on my sisters advice, thanks Kel, I went to Runners. Don't go there thinking you will get a pair of shoes for 19.95 . . . 150.00 later I had 3 new pair of socks and a great pair of walking shoes.
Saturday morning my friend, Pam and I headed out to walk a 5k in Flushing. Although the sun was shining it was rather chilly but once we got going it warmed up. This is the first time I have walked a race alone (at my own pace) - it was a great opportunity to set a time to base future races on. With my I-Pod ready to roll we headed out, Pam set out on her pace and was off on her own and me at my pace . . . dam short legs! Having my I-Pod with all my favorite songs . . . ZZ Topp . . . Lynard Skinnard (? on spelling) and of course . . . the best of Disco . . a little Cyndi Lauper . . "Girls just Wanta have Fun" I was off! Just when I didn't think I had it in my to go another step farther . . . "We are Family" starts blaring on my I-Pod . . . yes I did have all my sisters with me . . Jessie, Kelly, Lee, Margie, Auntie Kay, Donna, Jenny, Bonnie and Annette were all there in my head telling me I could do it, keep going, don't give up . . and there it was the beautiful line on the payment that said I was in the last mile and than as "Family Tradition with my man Hank" started . . . there was the finish line . . . I was almost there.
I completed in 51.40 . . . I was thinking an hour maybe an hour and 10 minutes . . (you have to remember that I'm just starting out.) I was so very proud of myself (I did however pull a mussel in my upper leg which I'm nursing here at work with a heating pad) . . . but all in all I'm feeling pretty good about my accomplishment. I'm looking forward to next month when I will walk another local race.
In June, Pam and I will be heading to Mackinaw Island for a 10k race . . . the thought of walking 6 miles has me a little freaked out but she says it's just like walking around Cedar Point . . . I forgot to tell her . . . I hate Cedar Point . . lol