First 5K!

Woo hoo! I ran my first 5K earlier this morning. It. Was. Exhilarating!

Last night I had at least two dreams about my upcoming race.
1. I was at the park where the race was to start and my parents, S, and A were all there with me to cheer me on. With about 10 minutes left till the start of the race, I look down, and I'm wearing a long black dress with flip flops! AH! I had to run back home and change clothes, and by the time I could get back to the park...it was over. :( Then I woke up.
2. I was at the park and when the race started, I watched it on TV (at the park) while I ran in place. When I got tired of running in place, I ran to our apartment and back. When the racers where getting back to the park , I let 10-15 through the finish line, then followed them on through. Ridiculous. I know.

Needless to say, I was nervous when I woke up this morning. Nauseated and shaking. That was me. As I got A and I ready, I called S on the phone (who would be getting off of work 1/2 an hour before my race started). He calmed and reassured my nerves a bit, but I still couldn't help but jog to the park rather than just taking it easy and walking. (I had to pound those nerves out somehow.)

S got the park soon after I did so he could watch A while I ran. What a lifesaver. Both to have him there period, and that he took care of A so I didn't have to push the stroller along as I ran. It was great!
They called the runners to the start line, I kissed S and walked over. We had 2 minutes until go-time, so S snapped a few pictures...

Ready, Set, GO! I was in the middle of the group, but of course I fell back at bit as the group stretched out based on fitness level. The first mile marker that I saw drove me crazy because I did NOT want to think about how much I had left. But remarkably, I felt good. I wasn't tired yet. Achy a bit in the legs, but not bad at all.

I can do this. I can finish this race is what I thought to myself as I passed each mile marker. Then, it started raining. Cold, icy, refreshing, wonderful rain. That was at about 20 min into the run. Its just what I needed to cool off, and go a little faster. Heavenly Father really does know me. I said a Thank you prayer in my head at that point.

The only hint of how long I was taking was when I passed two runners and the man asked the girl how much time had passed. 25 min. Only 25 minutes? Wow! This isn't too bad. About 2 minutes later I passed an aide station and the woman there cheered me on and said I only had 1.2 miles to go. YIPPEEE!

At that point, I decided to enjoy the scenery around me. Mountains. Beautiful sky. Historical buildings. The Temple only a block away and very visible. Passing the old LDS Logan Tabernacle. Gorgeous. Only two women passed me in my last 1.5 miles. I thought that was pretty decent...only 2 people. Then the image of Christine G (for those of you from the Ruston ward...you know her) 8 or 9 months pregnant and passing me made me run a bit faster. :)

As I rounded the last corner, I saw the 26th mile marker for the marathoners who would be running this same route a few hours later. Crazy people. Running 26.2 miles. Wait. I can do that...maybe by the time I'm 30. So that's my new goal. Work up to 26.2 miles. A whole marathon by the time I'm 30.

The cones leading to the finish line (which was really a huge balloonish arch) made my heart rate speed up. I can see the end!! I can do this. Oh look, there's S and A. Man, I love that guy. The sight of little A clapping his sweet little baby hands made my emotions go haywire.
44:58 is what I saw as I ran towards the finish line. 45 minutes on the dot is my time. Not great, but definitely faster than what I expected.

I finished. And I'm not last. I didn't puke or passout. Wipe your tears quick...S's coming. :)

I was crying again by the time I got to S.

The best part? Knowing that I achieved a goal that I set for myself. And getting a hug and kiss from S who waited the whole 45 minutes for me to return to him. Gosh, I really love that man!