5K was a Success!!!

Well everyone I have truimphed again and completed another 5K!!! I felt so great today running it was so much fun. And I learned a few things about myself along the way.

The race was to support Cause for Paws the animal shelter so there were lots of dogs there. I wish my dogs were well behaved enough around other dogs because they would have had fun!

First I was feeling very crappy yesterday and I am coming down with a cold. I was starting to doubt myself thinking man can I really do this tomorrow? Then there was the weather, it has been crappy outside, it was 50 degrees and very windy and chilly! The race was right on the ocean front so it was beautiful but very chilly! I woke up this morning feeling nervous and wondering if I was going to be able to complete the challenge I had set before me.

Well I woke up 2 hours before the race was supposed to start, actually I had been in bed for an hour I had woken up 3 hours prior because of nerves but I forced myself to stay in bed and try to rest. So I got up and made myself a piece of toast and a poached egg. I wanted to get in a little food but not too much to upset my stomach. Then I got suited up. I was glad I had purchased my Under Armor cold weather gear pants and shirt a few weeks ago because I definitely needed it today! It kept me so warm and comfortable during the
 race.

And we headed off to the race. I began to swallow my fears and just get my mind ready to run. Once we got there I was surprised it was so beautiful right on the ocean. It was probably the prettiest run I have gotten to do.

We got lined up after some stretching and got ready to go. I was feeling a little bit cold but I knew I would be fine once we got moving!

And then I got to running! Once I started running all of the fears and pain from my cold began to melt away. It was amazing running alongside all the people I felt so empowered and in control of my body. I was running in the wind and honestly it felt so good. I learned that I do not like to run in a big crowd though lol I was feeling claustrophobic in the beginning of the race because everyone was in one big pack. I tried to make my way forward and out to the outer edge. About 4 minutes into the race we evened out and I got into a steady rythm.

I learned that I truly do love to run. I love the feeling of hitting the ground and just moving through space with my feet carrying my body. I feel strong when I run and it makes me feel like I can do anything. When the race was nearing the end I could tell because my legs began to feel a little like jelly but I kept going. I was ecstatic when I was that clock at the end of the race and I saw 26 minutes! I think at that moment adrenaline took over because I was so excited I started sprinting into the finish line! The last 5K I ran (my first) I finished in 28:10. Well you can imagine my smile and surprise when I finished in 26:52. I was hoping to beat my time and get in the 27 minute range. I was not expecting to see 26!!!!  

I finished 32 out of 108 runners. My average time per mile was 8:40 and I placed 11th in the age group females 0 to 39 lol. I was the 14th female to finish the race. It was not a big race and it was not about that, for me it was just getting out there in a tougher climate and rock it and I think I did just that today!

I recorded it this time on my monitor :) I left it on for a little while after while I was cooling down and walking and stretching.