Celebration Run

Today was the Celebration 5K run. It was the culmination of 10 weeks of learning to run. The course took us through the paved park trails, grassy fields and a wooded trail.
We woke up to heavy gray skies and rain. It is always tempting to stay at home on days like this. Yet, we stuck to the plan. We packed up the kids (the girls had slept in their running clothes!) and headed out.
On arrival we all pinned on our bibs and then watched the kids race. Abbey and Jenna were awesome! Abbey said she came in 4th place! Jenna actually ran the whole thing without me by her side! They both got ribbons.
Danny, Eli, Benn and I lined up for our race. Then Abbey wanted to try it, too. She ran with her grandmother whose running pace is a little slower. She ended up doing one loop of the two loop race, but her grandmother says she was running ahead and coming back a lot, so we think she probably ran at least 2 miles! Great job Abbey!!
As soon as I started running I knew I was probably running faster than I should at the start. I wasn't sure I could keep up that pace for the entire race. But this was a race so I decided to go for it. I hit one mile at 9 min. 36 sec. Then I hit 2 miles at 19:11. The last leg was certainly the hardest. It was raining, so I couldn't tell what was sweat and what was rain. I am thankful for the rain because it probably kept me cooled off a lot! I ended up running the race at 29 minutes 57 seconds. I improved my first 5K and ran pretty consistent with my weekday run times.
Prizes were awarded at the end to the different age groups. Benn ended up winning 2nd place for 19 and under, I won second place for my age group and Danny won 2nd for his age group! My running mother-in-law won 3rd for age group. We even got medals! Way to go guys!!!
We got our next phase running plans. I can't wait to get started on these. We will be doing more specific training for speed and endurance. I think I am ready for that!

Farm Road Frolic- A Country 5K

I ran a 5K this morning! It wasn't a race, it was just a measured distance on the road near my house. however, I did have an audience cheering me along the way.
There was the gardening man who said, “That's what I should be doing...”
“Come on out, it feels great to be running!”
“Maybe next week.” he muttered.
He doesn't know there is a runner inside of him yet. Maybe he feels like I used to. Maybe he thinks that running is only for certain people...you know...runners. Maybe he thinks he would probably have a heart attack if he ran more than 10 minutes, I used to. On my way back in, he was still in his chair, but he cheered me on to the finish line.
Then there were the horses glancing at me through their manes, the cows who quit chewing their cud and stared at me in awe as I passed them with speed and agility. (I can imagine, can't I?) All of the chipmunks and rabbits scurried out of my way before I ran over them. I think I saw one of the chipmunks peering at me from his hole. I think they are all amazed at the difference in my running. When I first started I would pant past the horses and I don't think I even made it as far as the cows. The rabbits sat still and watched me trudge by knowing I was not a threatening predator.
Except for all of the hills around here, I love running in the country. There is not a lot of traffic, the scenery is peaceful and pleasant. The hills are making me stronger, though. I really have to pay attention and pace myself on them. But I did find one of the hills I have been struggling with to be easier today!
Today's run: 15(min) run, 1(min) walk, 7 run ( a very steep hill) 4 walk, 9 run. A total of 36 minutes for a pretty tough 5K.
By the way, I had pretty much decided that it was too hot, I was too tired and my knee might hurt if I ran today. “Nah, I'm not going to run...Maybe tonight” And we all know how that goes. Then I just couldn't stand it. I decided I would go do an easy run, just to get my blood going. I told myself I did not have to run the entire 30 minutes, because something would be better than nothing.I'm so glad I made myself do it: )

The Day After

Now that the glow of finishing my first 5K has softened a little, I have some more thoughts on the race.
First of all, how do you drink a paper cup of cold water while you are running? There must be a trick to that. In fact, I think there is an art to getting the cup in the first place. I managed to time my grab just right and then jogged on a few steps figuring out how to drink it. After I choked on a gulp that went down the wrong pipe, I threw my cup in the pile. Which was another thing that bothered me. I littered! It went against my grain to throw that cup in the road, but I did it. I am sure someone comes along and cleans all of those cups up, right? Next time, I am just going to pour the water on my head.
Second of all, for those who were actually racing ( that means those who had a hope of winning it), can they cut corners? I mean a sidewalk corner cut could mean a difference of a few seconds and a win. A bush hurdle could be what puts someone in the lead.
Last thought: If Bea was my running coach, I would probably win a 5K one day! This coach was amazing!! She pushed those she was around just a little, not too much. But we all got out of our comfort zones. She gave good running advice while we were running and most importantly, she made the race a points game. Sort of like a video game. She said each person you pass counts for 1 point and each person that passes you takes off 5 of your points. She got me there. I tried not to think of it that way, but I couldn't help it. In the end, I am not sure I gained a lot of points, bit I sure tried hard not to lose any!!
The race was fun and not too hard for me. Don't get me wrong, I had to work for it and it was a challenge. I am proud of myself, too. But I am even more proud of those I saw come after me. I heard them struggling through the runs and saw them pushing as hard as they could to get to that finish line. For some of the people running this was an accomplishment they NEVER thought they could do. I am SO SO proud of them!!! I want to be like the grandmothers I saw running yesterday, never giving up!