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I woke up today excited to be running in my first 5K. I purposely picked a small one since I've only been running for 4 months, I didn't want to be intimidated by a lot of really experienced runners. My kiddos decided 7:00am on Saturday morning was waaaaayyyy to early and DH was on his way to the UT/Baylor game with friends so I was on my own. No problem, I wasn't disappointed actually. I kind of enjoyed not having to deal with any of the typical family stuff this morning. So I got dressed, skipped breakfast. I normally run before breakfast. I grabbed a bottle of water and headed off to the gas station when I realized I didn't have a post race snack. I ran in and bought a bag of trail mix, filled the gas tank, and headed across town. I was in a good mood, legs felt good and it was a cool morning. I got to the race which started at the Leander Fire Dept., picked up my race packet, and chip. Then I watched other people to figure out where to put the chip and the bib. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> Now I was ready to go, but the kids K started first. I wandered around for about 20 minutes until it was time for the 5K. We lined up. I moved to the rear of the group very close to the walkers because I didn't know my pace, but I was quite certain that I am not a fast runner. We started out all was good. I think I started a little too fast, but not too much faster than my normal pace. I got my breating under control when a couple of walkers passed me. Demoralizing, but I figured, my goal was to finish the race without stopping so I didn't worry about them. They weren't too much farther ahead of me. I was shocked when I got to the first mile marker and realized that I ran it in 15:16. That was near the bottom of the first hill which was a short steady incline. No problem. I was used to that. Get to a long flat area running through the neighborhood, declined the water that was offered, when I saw the bottom of another hill. This hill had to be the most ginormous hill I had ever attempted to run. I kept reminding myself that my goal was to finish without stopping to walk. I dug in and just kept moving. About halfway up, I looked up thinking I would see the end of it, when another part of the hill was revealed to me. Then I rememdered somebody's signature that says 'When you're going through hell, keep going' or something like that. I dug in. I got to the next mile marker at 30:36. When I finally reached the top, I got my breathing under control again and enjoyed the downhill run. I got to the flat keeping the two walkers and another guy who was walking/running in sight. I began seeing other runners who started before me. When I saw the finish, I began lengthening my stride only to realize I still had to go several blocks then go back around the other side of the road and back down those same blocks to the finish. I did get to run in with a guy pushing a baby who was right behind me all the way. I finished time was 45:49. I finished the whole thing without stopping to walk. I felt like I had a shot of adreniline (sp?) coursing through me all the way home. I called DH to tell him how I did and he and his friends thought my time was funny, but so what! I can smile. They laugh, but they are also amazed that I actually did it. I AM SO HOOKED ON RUNNING NOW! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">
