| It is no secret I have not been running lately, which I am not happy about but you know my shin splints had me scared. |
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| I saw this race and signed up a few weeks ago thinking maybe a flat course was what I needed. Paying for a race, well I had to show up. This race is a nice flat course along the Chattahoochee in Roswell Georgia. It is a great cause as well. All proceeds support The Ghana Friendship Project’s work in 2012 providing medical and health care supplies, administrative and educational material, and clothing to the people of Ghana. Support is also given to Helping Hands Medical Mission Teams in Ghana who have served annually since 2008. There is a 10k and a 5k. |
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| Because its a smaller race, I was worried I would be last……so I set 3 goals |
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| 1. Get Up Early |
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| 2. Get to Race |
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| 3. Finish Race |
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| Sometimes just setting the most basic goals helps mentally. I wasn’t focused on “oh, what If I am 10th from last…… or last?” I knew I would try to finish and worst case I could always walk the whole thing, though I really wanted to do my intervals. Note: Nothing is wrong with walking. |
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| It was an incredible morning weather wise, 55 and cool. Fueled up on a banana and some coconut water on the ride over. Parked, got my number and my Tshirt and ran into my friend Donna. We chatted as we put my shirt in the car and then ran into another mom friend Stephanie. |
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The Race started and we were off. The 10K and 5kers went the same route for a while. The road was nice and shady though we were running into the low morning sun, thankfully I had the hat and shades….seriously, I can’t run without them! I was going to try out 30 seconds of running and 30 seconds of walking, but hit the 1 minute intervals instead by accident on my Iphone Interval Runner App (by Delta Vee, that thing is da bomb).
Donna and Stephanie ran ahead and I happily tried to find my pace. I had decided not to wear my Garmin so I would just try to focus on my body and what felt right.
Found my pace setter a gal in a Panda T-shirt, she seemed to be going fast enough I was a little challenged yet not too fast. With my 1 minute of running I would pass her, then she would pass me on the 1 minute walk.
Just before the 5k’s entered the turnaround area I decided to get off the road and up onto the gravel path which is essentially the sidewalk. I have run this path many many times and was thinking how good it felt to be running again on such a great morning. I hit the 5k turnoff and saw Donna and Stephanie coming back. They looked great. As I hit the road coming back, some great songs literally got me to smile. Music is a great motivator and nerve soother for me when running. I much prefer it to chatting with someone.
I rounded the corner for the final oh .5 miles and “Dare you To Move” by Switchfoot came on the Ipod. I got a tear because I really felt pretty good, had found my non huffing and puffing pace and the lyrics “I dare you to lift yourself up of the floor” always inspire my non athletic self when I am out running.
I saw the driveway to the finish line as I heard a motorcycle cop tell me “Move to the left, give the 10k leader some room”. DARN, I was about to be passed by the 10k winner – funny how “Dig a Little Deeper” from the Princess and the Frog was playing, oh well…….I cheered “way to go” as he ran by. Hey, he was the ONLY 10ker who beat me though LOL and by a 22 seconds. Here is a goal for next year, beat all the 10k runners!
Finished the race feeling great. Donna and Stephanie were at the finish to cheer for me. AWWWWWWW. Donna ran it in under 30 minutes too…..way to go D!
I finished in 36:13. In 263rd place out of 374. Hey, not bad! Not my best time, BUT I had only run like handful of times before that race and I kept a good pace to push my out of shape self and finish strong.
As we were leaving a man thanked me for wearing my pink Sparkle Skirt. He told me I was easy to spot and he was using me as his pace person. It was the first race he had run in 26 years. How wonderful to think I kept someone going….and my most awesome Picasso Pink Sparkle Tech Skirt certainly was easy to spot….and so functional too.
I am glad I did the race, I think even when you are not fully trained a 5k is a great way to see where you are. Obviously, I need to keep training consistently is my takeaway. I did however meet my 3 goals.
Next race is a hilly 10K July 4th. I need to keep running to be prepared to enjoy that one as well. Here is a photo of me, Donna and Stephanie after the race, LOVE my pink skirt.
Wife, Mom, Southerner, Former Cubicle Dweller, Sting Fanatic and Reluctant Runner. I got started on family a little later in life than most and run for my health. A fan of Food, Entertainment, Travel, Galloway Running and Disney, I like to find the fun in all things in life.
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Great job on getting out there and racing. So jealous that it was 55 degrees!! I wish wish wish it got that cool right now in Jacksonville. I’m hoping I don’t pass out during my 5k tomorrow lol. Anyways, proud of you! You did not finish dead last at all. You finished with a great time 😀
Congrats on meeting your goals 🙂 Keep it up and I know you’ll do great with the Peachtree. I hope to run it next year