My First 5k!

So this morning, February 19, 2011, was my first ever 5k race! And I didn't die!

I did the 5 Points of Life LifeSouth Blood Bank 5k here in town. It was a really big event...they even have the half and full marathons tomorrow, too! It went well considering I didn't exactly stick to my "training plan".

So the race started at 8. I got there at 7:40 and wandered around until they told us to go to the start line. I tried to get my nike+ sensor to "activate" and for some reason it just wouldn't. I was so sad that the big race wouldn't go onto my nike account. But I got over it and just turned on some tunes. It was weird starting in a big mass of people. Everyone is running but not really going anywhere at first. The first mile seemed to fly by. I saw the mile marker and was pleasantly surprised. I'm normally starting to get tired and want to walk right around 1 mile. I pushed through but had to stop to walk a half mile (or so) later. That was also the hilly portion of the route so I was glad to walk through that. After walking about a quarter mile I ran until the next water stop. I don't know about you guys but I'm so not talented at drinking while running. So I walked again. But when I finished my little cup of water I started going again. Once again I was proud of myself - sometimes it takes me forever to catch my breath and feel good enough to run again so to take short walk breaks was good thing. Somewhere in there must have been the 2 mile marker. I didn't see it but I'm sure it was there somewhere. I was on the home stretch! I took one more brief walk break and finished the last 3/4 of a mile strong. I got within half a mile of the finish line, saw the crowd, and told myself I wouldn't stop until I was finished. I really wanted to stop but I pushed through all the way to the finish line. Woohoo!

My time was 37 minutes 22 seconds. It's not a super great time but I was happy with it. My goal was to be under 40 minutes. I accomplished that, at least! I was number 257 total and number 23 for my age group. And I don't really care. I wasn't dead last (I was really worried I would be!) and I had a good run, all things considered.

I wasn't sure if I'd want to keep up the running thing after this race but I think I will. I don't think I'll ever be a really serious runner. My pace is slow, I lose my breathe easily, and I have terrible form. But the excitement of finishing and having people cheer for you (as you pant across the finish line) is just so fun! I think I'll keep doing 5k's here and there. Maybe one day I'll run the whole thing without taking walking breaks! But until then, I'm going to be happy with myself. I did it. =)

Pictures to come in a later post!