My First 5K Run

Yes, I completed my first 5K Run! I felt it was time to challenge myself. I'm always talking about how I want to do this and that, yet I don't do it. A few weeks ago I went to the local recreational center to see what activities were available for Arden and there I saw it. The advertisement for the 5K. I took the flyer home, filled it out and returned to the recreational center the following day before I chickened out and changed my mind.

I only had about 10 days to train. I have been walking/light jogging with a friend who lives 2 blocks away from my house. Even though I've been working out, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. Plus, I had a pretty yucky week, with Arden being sick with the croup, unpacking, working, my exercise buddy couldn't work out with me that week and being sleep deprived.

That week, I still tried to go for a walk/run.

My personal best time (running on my own) had been 37 minutes that week. My goal for the race: To not be the last person in race and to at least complete it 1 minute less than my personal best.

Saturday (25th) morning I got up early, got ready, got in the car, and headed to the race. Newel and the children were going to go and support me, but I let them sleep in instead. When I arrived to the recreational center there were people wearing really fun costumes and other serious looking runners. I felt a bit intimidated to be among these runners. I almost felt like a fake, but once I started to talk to people, they were really nice, and I felt at ease again.

The race began. I ran the entire first mile. GO ME! I was dying on the second mile...I was sure I had gone the wrong way or I had totally missed the 2 mile marker (which I new neither were true, I was tired!). Once I reached the 2 mile mark, I new I only had one more mile to go, and even though I was tired, I had the energy to make it. Final time :31 minutes and 9 seconds. In my age category I even placed third place! I can't wait for the next race. I really enjoyed it. It's one of those work hard, sweat, painful experiences, but once you're done, you're proud of the accomplishment.