And I ran...

So I'm training for my first ever 5k. It's the 4th Annual Molly Marine Run/Walk at Parris Island SC. Yes, the place where Marines are Born.
I joined the Marine Corps on a very hot summer day. June 6, 1995 was my first day at Parris Island. In true Marine Corps fashion we arrived at zero dark thirty in the morning. After a few hurdles I graduated September 22, 1995. It was, other than the days my boys were born, the proudest day of my life. I accomplished something that very few do. Very few women also. I joined an elite crowd. It was something that still amazes me to this day. I look back...wow...I did that!
I enjoyed my time in the Marine Corps so much. Yes, there were days that I wondered what the heck I was doing. Why did I ever do this? Why do I have to give 120% every minute just to prove myself in a 'man's world'? Why? But more times than not, I thought...'this is some pretty cool stuff'. I have memories to last a lifetime!! I have bonds that will make it through time. I have a connection to other Marines even if we never served together. It's that bond that makes the Marine Corps special.

Back to my running. :) This run I am doing is with a group of Marines that I don't know. We chatted online on our web site for awhile now. Most of us don't know each other, but we are doing this together. We have a big 'carb' dinner the night before at a fellow Marine's home. Then after the race we will be headed out to celebrate. The race & my birthday!

So I've been back to training. 5K is nothing. 3.2 miles. Used to run that and more before the sun was up!! But 10 years older ~ training is NOT as easy as it used to be. I'm working..and I'm running.