The numbers are in!

I weigh 217 lbs.
At 5' 4.2", that puts my BMI at 37.
My A1c came in at 8.3. I have type 2 diabetes.
My cholesterol was a bit high at 244 as were my triglycerides at 167.  My LDL needs some work as it is 160.17. 

These are my numbers, but they are NOT me. They are just a point of reference.  My starting gate.  And nothing more. 

Who am I?

I am... a Daughter of God.  The wife of a wonderful man.  Mother of 8 incredible human beings.  Grandmother of 3 (soon to be more) of the most intelligent children EVER.  Raised by terrific parents with great siblings.  Friend to the best sort of people. Lover of sunrises and sunsets, birds, cats, dogs, and oddly enough--chickens, moss covered trees, berry covered bushes, and sweet fragrant flowers, the ocean, the river, the stream by my house, 80's music, classical music, and relaxing smooth jazz, winter storms, thunder storms, and warm summer breezes,  sunny days, cloudy days, rainy days, and occasionally even snowy days, the sound of the ocean crashing to the beach, the cry of seagulls overhead, a heavy rain pounding on the rooftops, and birds singing their songs in the early morning light. .  I am the lover of many things.  I am a lover of life. 

And lately, I am a runner.  My running numbers suggest that I run fairly slowly, but that I am improving my times steadily.  Since January 6, 2014, I have actually run 15.52 miles.  My greatest distance this year has been 2 miles.  My slowest average pace has been 19.57 minutes per mile, while my fastest pace has been 17.08 minutes per mile.  I have been running 4 times a week and my goal is to add two upper body weight training days to my schedule. 

Why do I run?  Well, mostly, I run to reclaim my health.  I want to be happy and full of energy. . . full of life!  I run because I want to set a good example for my daughters.  I want them to know that we can do hard things.  I run because it inspires my husband.  And, some days, I just run because I can.