Bucket List Item #43 - Run a 5K race - CHECK

Bucket List Item #43 - Run a 5K race - CHECK

The Bucket List post

It's all about the list and this year so far I have marked off 2 things but this one was kinda big for me. See I haven't really run or done any kind of real physical activity since about a year before Max was born. I have been trying to get out of my funk that has become my life for about 6 months now and while there are many things that I have come to accept and not worry about and have really started to feel better about being me, my weight was still one of those things that I needed to tackle. This race was kind of the beginning for that.

So I signed up for a 5K, I figured 2 birds one stone. I got to mark something off my list and I got to get out and be active again, and let me tell you, this was no easy task.

I found the Blazing Sun Race on Goggle (just typed in 5K races in Oklahoma) and I thought the time period was perfect. It was about 6 weeks away and I thought it was very doable. The main goal in doing this 5K was just to run the whole thing (and not come in last place, which I didn't).

I started looking at Couch to 5K training programs and I found one that pretty much fit my time line. So I asked Tim if he would help me and he of course said yes. The beginning was tough, I mean really tough but Tim kept me going, even though I was ready to quit. 

Tim and Max went to New York and I had my Epic weekend with Beth and I fell off the wagon. But once everyone was home the running started again, but the heat was just to much for me to run in the afternoon, so I started getting up at 5 a.m. to run when it was cooler. As much as I like getting things done and over with and the morning is a great time to do that, I still really like my sleep. 

So for pretty much 2 weeks straight I was running about 4-5 days a week. I was feeling pretty good but still getting a little nervous, I mean it was my first one. Tim and Beth both told me that once I got there my adrenaline would kick in and I would be fine and they were right. 

 So the night before I laid out my clothes. I had been trying different sport bras and found that the Nike one was the one I was going to go with since I only had to wear one instead of the normal 2-3 sports bras that I usually wear. I wanted my Adidas shorts because they had pockets in it and I wanted my newer Old Navy tank top because I felt that my fat didn't show as much in this tank than in my other ones. Yeah, I think like that. I had my sign all made up and put it in my pocket. I had driven to the park the day before so I knew where I was going and wouldn't miss my race.

I got there at about 6:30 a.m. or so. I got my race stuff and brought it back to the car. I was pretty impressed with the amount of stuff that I got, I think my favorite is my new American flag tote bag. It seems to be made pretty well. I really like it. I was number 8, the lady said that not a lot of runners signed up early for the race.

Then came the waiting. We waited and waited. Around 7:10 a.m. they did the sort of opening ceremonies, talked about the guy who the race was named for, and sang the National Anthem. It was no sooner than they finish singing, they did a prayer and we were off.

I started at about a 10:40 mile and at the 1 mile mark I had run an 11:40 mile, that's about 30-40 seconds faster than my normal run.

I stopped twice, once because my calves were on fire and I had to stretch them for about 50 feet and the other because my iPhone was playing a morning radio show and I couldn't handle it any longer so I had to switch it.

At one point I was ready to stop but well I knew I couldn't, I was tired but I kept going then I turned the corner I saw the blow up finish line and people on both sides cheering you in. It was a great feeling. I crossed the finish line and there was a photographer there. I told him to hold on, and I pulled my sign out of my pocket. I got lots of congratulations and good jobs once the sign came out.

 I went back to the car to get my camera and I went and got something to eat at the food tent. After feeling better I had someone take a picture on both my camera and my phone. Again, more congratulations and good jobs from people who saw me holding the sign.

Once I got back to the car I realized I hadn't taken a picture of my time. Its not the official time but at this point I don't really care. I'm sure they are about the same.

So what's next on the list, not really sure. I might be something simple like make pasta from scratch or take a cooking class. Who knows?

I am planning to run another 5K in August with Tim. It at the end of August and my goal for that one is run it faster than this one and to try and run/keep up with Tim. He's a much faster runner than I am.

I feel good, I'm ready for next item.