5K, me, what?

On Saturday, I ran my first 5K. For my friends that knew me toward the end of college, this probably doesn't seem like that big of a deal because I ran between 4-6 miles nearly every day. However, while I still love to run, I have not been running on a regular basis for YEARS. In fact, the last time I was running regularly was January 2009, just that month, and never over 3 miles.

A fellow teacher friend asked me a few weeks back to do the 5K with her, so I said, why not, what do I have lose? I ran the first weekend of March for the first time in over a year, and I got through two miles without dying, so I thought, that's a good start. I didn't run at all after that. Saturday came, and I was so nervous. I don't know why, there were probably at least 100-150 people if not more getting ready to run, and it's not like anyone even paid attention to me, but I was still nervous.

My friend and I ran about the first mile and a quarter together, and she decided to slow down and walk with her daughter, but told me to keep running. In my head, I thought, I may make it to mile 2, and kept jogging (did I mention there was a hill...a steep one...that took up most of the 2nd mile????). I got to the top of the hill, rounded a corner (which was still slightly inclined), and started heading back to the finish. I was about halfway through when I knew I just had to walk, but I wasn't walking for long when a lady who must have been in her 60's passed me, still jogging, so I started running again. All together I probably walked a 1/2 a mile of the 3.2 miles of the 5K, I think I ended up the 8th female to finish overall, and I was 2nd in my age bracket (I have no idea how many of us there were; there could have just been the 3 of us, but still!). I ended up winning a gift card!

It was so much fun, and I think it has made me want to start running again. I got up this morning and did a lap around our neighborhood (which according to the car is .6 miles, but my pedometer says it is closer to .9), but it was a little chilly this morning, and my ears were burning because they were so cold. I'll make sure to wear my hat tomorrow morning.

It's funny how addicting running can be. I have a lot of friends who say, I'm just not a runner, but I think if anyone would just start, they would love it. It's a great time to think, pray, clear your mind, listen to music, listen to a book, or focus. I love the feeling I get when I finish a run; it's like I have accomplished something.

So, I'll be getting up at 5 to take another lap around the neighborhood, who's going with me?