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.
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| No chip, no time! |
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| 106 baby. |
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| Giving my mom a wake-up call. |
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| I did it! |
