A few months ago I started to run with my friend Andrea about once a week just so she would have a running buddy. She started to run in a bunch of races and every time one would come up she would ask if I wanted to join. My reaction was always a hearty laugh and a resounding no. I would always say “Why should I pay to run my butt off when I can do it for free.” You see I’ve never been a great runner. I think the most I’ve ever run was 1 1/2 miles and that was over 10 years ago with my roommates in college. Andrea was persistent and she finally convinced me to run. So I started to train with her and Melanie 2 1/2 weeks ago.
This morning, after a very restless night, I got up at 6:30 am started to get ready. Dropped the kids off at a friends and picked up the girls for the run. We arrive to a very hot and muggy 26 degrees (yes that is sarcasim). As we wait for the race to start our fingers and toes slowly go numb. At this point I don’t even know if I can feel my legs let alone run on them. Finally the call to line up “ready, set, go” We set off at a pace that I know will kill me after the first 1/2 mile. I think to myself, did I leave my legs behind? We ran a 3 loop course. That’s where you run 1 loop 3 times. I start to feel my fingers and toes after the 2 time around. Last lap I hardly feel like I’m moving I think I’ll be lucky to make it in 35 min. Oh and don’t forget to smile for the camera (thanks Makenzie). Finally the last stretch. Can that be right? The clock it must be broken. It’s coming up on 27 min. Wow I thought I was doing horrible. Finish time 27:11. I feel so proud of myself I can’t believe I finished. Here comes the balloon popper. Someone tells us that the course was only 2.8 miles. Bummer but still well within my goal of 30 min or less. We also had a raffle afterward and I won a $5 gift certificate to Jamba Juice. My friend Andrea got a months worth of free tanning. She gave it to Melanie. Over all out of 90 people I placed 38. Andrea placed 33. Melanie did the best out of all of us and placed 20. It was a cold but fun race. I can’t say I’ll do it again though. I still think I can run my butt off for free and get the same results.
