Okay, sorry this took a bit, but we had some technical difficulties with the photos... I know SOME of you, at least, have been itching for this post. Thanks, by the way, for the interest and support.
ANYWAY, Saturday just past Mi and I ran in a 5K. It was pretty intense. A wack-load of the runners were hanging around before the race wearing their Boston Marathon jackets and full-on it's-cold-outside running gear. I wore my only pair of running pants, unfortunately only half-length, and a long sleeved tee. I was pretty happy when they gave me my 'free' participation shirt and put it on for extra layers.... COLD COLD COLD!! Beautiful day, but it was cold.
Felt pretty inadequate, I have to say, being amongst all those serious runners, buuuut OH well!!
To START there was this great 1K race that was mostly kids and a few adults who've JUST taken up the sport. The kids were hilarious to watch - I can see it being something Little Miss could get into if I continue to race occasionally and she comes out to watch; she's such a little mimic. Anyway. It was great!
THEN it was our turn. The clock inched closer and closer to 10:00 and people started flocking towards the starting line. Some of the more serious competitors were running through the parking lot, warming up, dynamic stretching.... Mi was bouncing up and down to try to keep warm, and I was standing around feeling like a fish out of water. Soccer I can do. Running in a race?? SO not my thing....
We joined the horde at the starting line and ended up much nearer the front of the pack than I had anticipated/hoped, so I spent a few minutes waiting for the start dreading the oncoming stampede from behind. I even turned and suggested the two men behind me just shove me out of the way when at the start - they weren't really for my humour. Oy. (Lighten UP, people!) Real nerve calmer that little experience.
Then, much too soon, 10:00 - the start signal goes off. I wasn't ready. People TOOK off - Mi exploded off the ground like someone lit a fire under her rear - I kept pace with her for about 100m and then just LAUGHED and said to her there's no WAY and let her drift (read: speed) away from me. I was passed by SO many people in that first few moments, I should have probably just stopped at the side to let them all pass with ease, good GRIEF!
I ran along feeling tired and stiff and deflated with every person that flew past me - a LOT of people were passing me. I was passed continuously throughout the duration of the race. I can't imagine there was anyone left behind me with the numbers sailing by.
THEN we hit the 1K marker. ONE KILOMETER. I'd only run ONE kilometer. That meant there were FOUR left.
Oh someone please kill me now. Then I thought this is ridiculous - I've run 5 kilometers oodles of times, and even 10 a few times - I can DO this. I hunkered down to finish the race.
Then passed the 2K mark.
What a JOKE. I felt like death. It was cold enough that my legs were frozen - I felt like I was continuously fighting to lift and plant two giant ice blocks one after the other. I couldn't believe how difficult it was to initiate each stride.
Each kilometer marker was just another slap in the face. Not there yet. I felt I was running as slow as molasses, people kept just running by.
I couldn't breathe. Without Mi I'd forgotten about my breathing. I was slow as ever and unable to breathe. And I had that cold earlier so when I DID get a big breath in I choked on the left-over phlegm from being sick, which left me sputtering for more air... I'm sure the droves of people passing me must of thought I sounded like I was going to die. A couple even stopped to encourage me on, probably worried they might be the one to witness my downfall and hoping not to have to stop their race to call the paramedics.
FINALLY I was in the last kilometer. I'd run 4, had one more to go.
This is only 5 laps - I can run five so I stepped it up a little bit. Big mistake. Had to SERIOUSLY slow it up, catch what breath I could. I was barely shuffling my feet one in front of the other when this sweet little old lady caught up to me - she'd passed me once before and then I'd apparently turned it on too soon to finish - she stopped and stayed with me telling me what a good race I'd had and that it was almost done and I could do it. I laughed and told her I'd forgotten to breathe, and we carried on in silence, her presence helping me on.
THEN to the LAST leg, as we approached the final corner immediately before the finish line. "Okay, now, GO!" she told me, and I took off with what little I had left. I was passed in my last few seconds BUT looked up at the time clock over the finish line.
I was UNDER MY BEST TIME!! I'd run it FASTER than EVER!!!
I DID IT!Mi and her family were on the side cheering and hollering (she finished WELL before me, which was expected), and then it was over.
I felt like death.
But I did it!!
They used chip timer thingies (a little sensor around the ankle that senses when you cross the start point and the finish line) - I did it in 27:21. Previous best time 27:58. Out of women I came 91st out of 199, and in my age group (25-29) I came 12th out of 26.
I think I'm good for a while. I'll probably in time do another race, but I'm in no hurry.
I definitely have to work on the weight so I can look a little better in those sexy running pants of mine... ;)
