the training.
the anticipation.
the excitement.
the nerves.
I'm pretty sure i experienced all of these thoughts and emotions running through my head in the hour leading up to the race on that Saturday. did i train long enough? this wait is KILLING me! oh my gosh, there's so many runners around me, i love this feeling. uh...am i going to trip and fall or pass out?
i started my running adventure at the end of august/beginning of September, using the Couch to 5k program. the first week was HARD. i could barely run a full MINUTE, let alone 3 miles! and now, here it was a mere 13 weeks later, running a 5k.
and ok, ok. i know 3 miles isn't far. but for me, it is a milestone.
i initially was going to run with my friend Babs, but she hurt her knee a few weeks ago and hasn't ran since, fearing she'd make it worse. for awhile i thought about not doing the 5k. after getting off the jillian cruise, i have been super motivated and working out regularly (and loosing 7 pounds in the process. WHAT?! where'd the fat fall off from? haha...) so the Friday before the race i went down to the convention center where the health and fitness expo was being held and signed up for late registration.
5 minutes, $30, a shirt & bib later...I WAS REGISTERED. I went and walked the course to become familiar with it, grinned ear to ear, and then went home and did a happy dance. (literally. i danced around my studio.)
Saturday i woke up quite early. I stretched, ate a banana & some peanut butter, drank some powerade. I wanted to make sure i was set to go! Headed down around 8am, and watched the end of the kids’ 3k. Dude, those kids run FAST!
Finally, they corralled us 5k-ers into the street, and with a countdown of “10, 9, 8...RUN FORREST RUN!” we were off!
Stupidly, I did not check to see if my laces were tied tightly, so before I even hit the 1 mile mark I had to stop to tie my left shoe. Seriously?! I picked up my speed to catch up on some lost time, and ran my way through the next mile or so where...MY DAMN RIGHT SHOELACE CAME UNDONE. UGGHHH!
I made it through the 3 miles though, and when I turned the corner and saw the finish line i couldn't believe it was over.
31:05 was my time. I’m happy with it. It could use much improvement, but hey! Its my first and the only goal i had was to finish, and that i did!
Afterwards, I met the wonderful Cindy Lou! We were both on the Jillian Cruise, but hadn’t met in person. She found me on Facebook, and I spotted her afterwards and we chatted and gushed for a half hour. We have a lot in common and I’m glad we met! HI CL!! :D
So now I am hooked and want to do more. I actually made a goal to run the HALF marathon next November. it sounds crazy, but I think I could do it.
