Today became my long run day. Normally, I have short runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Fridays or Saturdays I complete my long, training runs. But today, I woke up sick and tired. I didn't want to go to the gym and run, let alone workout with the trainer. My sweet soldier had given me a pass to take it easy today, but apparently, I was unwilling to accept it.

I threw everyone onto their respective buses and headed to the gym. I knew as soon as I got started that there was a good chance I would feel better. And you know what, I was right. However, something else very interesting began to happen.

I am training to run long distances at a particular pace. It is my "happy pace" and that is where I want to be. Since I didn't feel well I decided not to incorporate hills into my run and put the treadmill on 0.5 percent to level it out. As I began to run, I felt my chest loosen up. I felt my legs find their stride. It really felt good.

The plan was to run five miles. I reached 2.5 miles and realized that nothing hurt. I couldn't believe it. I heard my brain tell my heart that it was almost three miles, and 'If you can do three, then you can do five.’

I began to feel a pain in my side as I started that third mile and slowed to a walk to get some water. That didn't last long. My brain told my heart to dig deep and turn it up for that last mile!

And that is what I did.

I began to run a full minute faster for three-fourths of a mile and then all I wanted to do was finish! I turned up the pace to a minute faster. I heard my brain tell my heart, 'Come on, Sarah. You've got this. You can do it. Leave it all out there and don't hold back!' When I saw the screen read 5 miles, I threw my hands in the air to cross my virtual finish line! I was so excited!

I hit the cool down button. As I dropped to a walk and finished, I could feel myself moving with purpose.

We can always look back at what we did

All these memories of you and me baby

But right now it's you and me forever girl

And you know we could do better than anything that we did

You know that you and me, we could do anything

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby

You and me together yeah, yeah

Two of us together, we could do anything, baby

You and me together yeah, yeah

It is amazing what you can do when your heart and head work together! Keep your head in the game, Sweet Friends! He's almost home!

Strength and Courage ... sby