The Beginning

The Intro...
This is for me. This is for Mary. This is for the love of life, for our family and our friends. We have the desire to change our lives and our living habits. And to change your mind IS to change your life. For a year, starting April 2011, we are committing to running/walking/doing a 5k every month. Life is about achieving goals, living outside of your box and committing to the things that matter most (ie, being on this planet for your loved ones as long as you can).  The Year of the 5k is about achieving better heath while accomplishing a much desired goal with a friend you can rely on. I love you Mary!

The Eyeopener...
In October of 2010 a very dear friend and co-worker was diagnosed with cancer. Mr. Terry Cordle. He was a long time smoker and one Monday when I asked him to come outside to smoke with me, he said "I quit smoking this weekend. Something inside of me said 'Terry you need to give this up, NOW'" and he did. I was so proud of him! Proud that he was doing something i couldn't yet do.  A few weeks later something was wrong, no one was exactly sure what, but something was definitely wrong. By early October it was confirmed that there was a spot on his lungs... CANCER. Even so, doctors were very hopeful "This is small we can get this". Treatment after treatment, still we had hope. Now there is no more treatment and very little hope. I love you Terry!

The Push...
In January of 2011, Rome, Ga YMCA and Floyd county hospital (and others) came together to do the 2nd Annual Health Quest. Last year my results were less than awesome. Questing for health is something you have to commit to and desire or you will end up living two lives. One for the quest and one for you. This year, with or without weight loss, I am committing to the change. The desire to improve my life, my health and my ability to keep promises to myself. I have already quit smoking and been cigarette free since January. This year I will truly Quest for health. But slow is the road to change. Keep your chin up!

The Relay...
As everyone knows, there is a foundation called Relay for Life. It helps to raise money for the American Cancer Society. In March of 2011, the Rome News-Tribune started a team. Terry's Barristas: Terry loves his coffee! Obviously this is something i want to do, am doing, and will do from here on out. This years Rome, Ga relay is on April 29th, from 5pm - 7am. This relay is always all night because cancer never sleeps. So for day, neither can we. Me and Mary are scheduled for the 9:30-11:30 and then work the booth from 11:30 -1:30 and then maybe some more walking! : )

The Result...
So you ask where all this is going.... Mary mentioned to her facebook family about walking in the relay and one of her long time friends mentioned that she might also do a race with her in Atlanta in October. Mary mentions this to me, we start talking about the reality of it. And the reality is that if are even going to think of doing a 1/2 marathon we are going to have to commit to some extremely hard work. After a good bit of advice from others one thing kept coming up. Do a 5K first. Which then turned into "Do a 5k" every month. So we are going to commit to the 5ks, commit to the relay for life, become extreme health questers and change our lives!

The Start...
After a good bit of walking and jogging, a few injuries on both sides..... ready or not our first 5k is in 4 days! Saturday, April 16th we will be Jogging for Justice at Shorter College in Rome, GA!  We may end walking the entire thing and come in last place, but we are going to do this. These days life is and should be all about accountability.  So with you and this blog, we are hoping it will help us be accountable. Accountable for achieving our 5ks.

So join us on our journey to lifes greatest and hardest accomplishment. GOOD HEALTH!  It should be hard, fun and enlightening!

Good health to you all!

by Jamie