First 5K — woohoo!
16 12 2007Well, I just can’t stop smiling right now. The non-runner…..the girl who could barely manage to do the mile run in PE in under 15 minutes….the girl who five months ago could not run a mile without walking……
Got 2nd place!!!
Oh yes, this was momentous indeed. So, the fast runners in my age group didn’t come out to play today, but there were 15 or so of us, and I was #2. I hit the podium in my very first running race, and I can’t stop smiling! There were over 1000 of us towing the start this morning, and it took about a minute and a half to clear the start chute and get running. I felt like I was out in the water at a triathlon, battling for space…..I had no idea that runners experience the same thing. In order to make up for the non-movement at the start of the race, I knew I’d have to pick up my pace for the first mile, then settle into my 9-minute miles for the rest of the race. I was surprised at how well things went for me. In triathlons, the 5K is a nightmare and I am tired and hating life. Today, I was invigorated running in the crowd and enjoying dashing around people in their costumes. The last mile was a bit tough, but I kept up my pace and finished strong. It was the first time my husband has been at the finish line waiting for me, so that was excellent motivation to not slow down and disappoint him. But what fun! And then finding out that I’d placed was pretty sweet, too. My official time was 28:03 (I said that the fast people didn’t show up in my age group!), but if I back out the start, I probably did a 26:30 5K. THAT makes me exceedingly happy.
Now I have a taste for it…..and I’d better get close to the podium in triathlon now, because that’s what really gets my juices flowing. I just need to buy more frozen peas….my poor knees are hating me right about now!
Here’s a pic from the race….I dressed up a little, but I still look like I’m hating life!:
Congratulations on your 5k! That is great. I used to run and complete all the time, but since marriage, having a kid, graduating from college and starting a career, I have pushed it almost completely out of my life. I know that i need to get back doing it simpy because of how GREAT it makes you feel. There is absolutely nothing like it, and reading your post made me remember just HOW great it made me feel. I am going to look and see when the next 5k in my area is and sign up for it now. Thanks for motivating me!
Whoo Hoo! This is great. I’m so proud of you for trying the 5K. I know that it was a stretch for you to try it, but you did great! How exciting. And, I’m sure it is fun to have races to compete in during the off-season of tri!
Although I had to do a double-take on your comment about passing people in their costumes, then realized people probably dressed up for Christmas.
I’d had a hard enough time without a costume!
congrats on your 5k! that deserves a big woo hoo! hope your knees are feeling better.
Congrats on placing that is so cool! Hope you’re knees are better by now and I love the socks! Great job and good luck on your triathlon!!!