The Race

If you haven't noticed yet I'm a goal oriented person. Once I complete a goal I strive for the next. I may have several goals at one time. One of my goals this year was to do two 5k races. I had done the first race this past spring and completed it in 36 minutes. I was proud of my time but this time I was not focusing on speed. The focus was to complete the race without stopping to walk. I've been training by jogging in my neighbor hood 3-4 days a week about 2.5 miles without stopping. I'm ready to see how far I can push myself.

I was a little nervous this week because I was jogging a with a friend that I had never jogged with before. I don't usually jog with anyone and I didn't want to hold her back to my pace. She assured me that would not be the case. She just wanted to run the race with me.

Race day! It was a perfect morning for a race. The temperature outside was 55-60 degrees. I had a great support team at the race. My husband, two kids and my mother were there to cheer me on. We met up with my friend and stretched before it begun. I told her if she wanted to run ahead she could. I would meet her at the finish line. But again she said she was there to race with me. The first mile we jogged under 10 minutes. I knew I was going to fast and I needed to slow down if I was going to last. The next mile was a struggle with a huge hill at the beginning of the mile. Mile 2 was at a steady pace and we completed it in 10 minutes 33 seconds. The last mile was going to be a challenge because I knew we had to go back over that huge hill. We got to the hill with about 1/2 mile left. This time we were going up the hill a different route. It was not a easier route either but I knew I could do it. The water station was at the top so that's what I focused on. By the time I made it to the top I had given all that I could have given. I did it! I got a drink and got a second breath. I could see the finish line. As we rounded the corner to the home stretch I knew I had succeeded my goal. I didn't want to get emotional but I was. I told my friend as we crossed the goal line that she helped me not only complete my goal but that I had bet my time by 4 minutes.

This was the first time I felt the emotions of the past year. It felt so great but I wasn't going to let anyone see it. Even now as I'm writing this blog I get a little teary eyed. Now I know I can do this and I'm setting my standards higher. My next 5k is the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day. Stay tuned!