Success: Completed my first 5K

Running in the Santa Monica 5K yesterday was fantasmagorical. I never thought running could be so much fun.

XX and I woke up at 5:20 am, got dressed and jumped in the car by 5:40. We ate our breakfast on the way down – I had one cliff bar and half a Gatorade, XX had two cliff bars and a full Gatorade.

I hate eating before working out, especially this early in the morning, but I forced it down since I knew I was going to need the energy.

After picking up our numbers (I was 106,), we ran a bit to stretch out and prepare for the race. We positioned ourselves near the front of the starting line, I gave XX a I'll-see-you-at-the-finish-line-kiss, and at the sound of the blow-horn, away we went!

The sound of all those feet running toward one goal was pretty badass. I pulled over to the side to let all the Speedy-Mc-Speedters pass my slow ass, which was fine. I figured some of these people would burn themselves out and I would eventually pass them.

My goal was to keep going no matter what. If my hip started to hurt, too bad. If a cramp decided to stab me in my side, too bad. If my shoulder were to spasm (as it often does), too bad.

I was pretty amazed at the amount of people who passed me. It kept going and going. I almost felt fat and bad about myself running so slow... but then I saw people walking and any negative thoughts were kicked to the curb. HA! I ain't walking, bitches!

I'm proud to say that I stayed the course and ran the entire 5K without stopping. I ran at a steady pace the entire time and only started to cramp up a bit during the last kilometer, in which I responded by speeding up.

Naturally, I felt accomplished when I crossed that finish line. I sort of sprinted toward the end. Apparently the announcer even said my name over the PA system, but I was in the zone and didn't hear him.

I ended up running the 3.12 miles in roughly 35 minutes.

Now I have a time to beat for the next one.

Afterward, my mom took XX and I out to breakfast at a poshy place called Canali Cafe. Having my mom come out and support us meant a lot.

I'm stoked, too, cause now I have a new found respect for running... and I want to continue doing it.

No chip, no time!

106 baby.

Giving my mom a wake-up call.

I did it!

Checking off the list: Running a 5K

I'm running my first 5K tomorrow. I'm excited to cross it off my list of things to do (check out the link above). I'm not really nervous, even though maybe I should be since I haven't really been keeping up with my running schedule the last 2 weeks.

I ran a 5K yesterday and it was... painful.

My hip doesn't hurt anymore, but I got a cramp 0.3 miles into the run. I'm serious. I literally ran for 4 minutes and my side started to hurt.

NOT GOOD.

I managed to finish, but I had to stop every mile to give my side a break. I don't plan on doing that tomorrow though. If I get a cramp, I'm going to push through.

The goal is to finish.

Here is the map.

My mom is cute. She is going to come and support me and Nathan. My dad told me to come in first place.

I told him I'd bring him home a medal.