When I was a sophomore in college, I had the bright idea to start running to stay in shape {this is going somewhere . . . I promise}.  The problem with said idea is that I am a horrible long distance runner.

Like, seriously.  It’s pathetic.

My good friend Rachel {a runner} offered to be my mentor for the Turn-Courtney-Into-a-Runner Project and offered to go with me on my first few treks.

Bless her heart.  She’s a sweet one, that Rachel.

For our first jog, we decided to only do a mile.  Piece of cake, right?

Yeah.  I think I died.

I had honestly never run that far before in my life.

As we were running this 1-mile course she had mapped out, I’ll never forget when I realized we were approaching a small hill.  It seemed impossible to tackle.  At that moment Rachel said, “Okay, Courtney.  We’re going over the hump . . . literally and metaphorically.  Not only are we going up a hill, but this is the halfway point.  Get past this and it will be smooth sailing.”

She was right.  Once we got past the half way point—once we got over that hill—it seemed so much easier.   It wasn’t as daunting.  I had this.

What a metaphor for life.  When we start a task, it can seem so intimidating, but if we can just get over that “hump,” the rest of the journey seems doable.

I am proud to say that this past month we were finally able to get over the “hump” in our debt-free journey.  We are now over half way there!!!!

Click here to see our new balance.

You have no idea how refreshing it feels to see the “amount paid” be a higher number than the “amount owed.”

During the month of October, we were able to pay off $3,012.  Here is what we did this past month to make extra money to put toward the student loans:

• I was a line judge for several volleyball games
• I was a home bound teacher for a student with cystic fibrosis for over a month
• Randy has continued working with his Promise Painting & Contracting business in addition to teaching
• I supervised the ACT test on a Saturday morning
• We were under budget in several other categories of our finances, so that extra money went to the debt
• I supervised several detentions on Saturday mornings
• Bondbons had a record-breaking month in sales—thanks to a local bakery who has started referring us when their customers ask for cake pops.  That has been a major blessing.

October was exhausting, and there were many times I wanted to give up, but seeing that balance drop below the half-way point recharged me again.  What’s really exciting is that with every payment, more and more is going to principle while less and less wastes away with the interest.  Two years ago, $358 was going just to interest every month.  Now only $176 is going to interest each month.  That’s a difference of $179/month!  Getting over “the hump” has allowed us to gain more and more momentum.

Our next goal is to get under $40,000.  Stay tuned for December to see if we’re able to hit it.

Oh, and as for running . . . I’m still horrible.  I think for now I will stick to just paying off debt.  😉

Love