(Yes, I named this post after a Black Eyed Peas song)
Since December of last year, I have participated in 4 races. I kind of got into this kick in November when I decided that I wanted to start running. It’s always been a nice “thought”, but I’ve never really made myself do it. I am the type of person who loves to exercise, and now that I am staying at home, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for me to give it a try. Once I got past my first week of it… I was hooked. I no longer had to force myself to go run. I WANTED to. I hated missing a day! I decided to sign up for a 5k. I know a lot of people don’t understand this new obsession (i.e. my family: “Why don’t you just give me $25 and you can go run around the house 20 times”) but I’ve always been a competitive person and doing something I loved AND something that I can compete in sounded awesome! So for the Frosty 5k, my sister, Cara, and my friend, Sengla, ran as well.
It was a little chilly!
That run was great. My very first 5k that I had run about a year and a half earlier, I had finished in 34 some minutes. This time, I finished 2nd in my age division with a time of 27:42! I was ecstatic!
Also note this is where I cracked my first iPhone. (cough) Cara (cough cough)
The next 2 races, I entered without really paying attention to what days they were on. BAD IDEA. Yes, they were scheduled for the very same day, thank GOD not at the exact same time. The first was the S. Ray Lowder Spring Spirit 5k. It was that morning and I was ready to go!
I ended up finishing that one 1st in my age group with a time of 25:24!
I was pretty psyched, to say the least.
So you know how I said I signed up for 2 races? Well not only was this next one just another “race”, it was an 8k. Yes, believe me, I know. I am an IDIOT.
I was super exhausted from running that morning, but I still went to the race (The Leprechaun Loop hosted by Summit Coffee in Davidson, NC). Note, the race was called “Leprechaun Loop” because it was run on St. Patricks day. You know what this girl wore? A bright PINK shirt. (bangs head on wall) I stood out like a sore thumb. EVERYONE there had on green shirts. I literally mean everyone. Set aside that embarrassment, I psyched myself up for the race and was ready to set out on a 5 mile run.
That one I finished with a hearty 47:24 time. Not that I wasn’t excited about it, but I did wish the races had been on separate days.
Here is a pic from crossing the finish line. That race literally felt like the longest race EVERRRRR, but I was oh so happy to cross the line!
My last race was this past Saturday. It was a half marathon. (Talk about stepping it up) The longest distance I had ever ran beforehand was 8 miles. A half = 13.1. I was determined though. And isn’t that all you need? A little determination?
So that morning I set out at 5:00 A.M. for this little endeavor. Anyone that knows me would tell you it was a feat in itself for me to get out of the bed at 5:00 A.M. But with all of the nerves and excitement, it wasn’t as hard as I was expecting. The race was to start at 7:30 and it was in Charlotte, so I needed a little time. After a peanut butter sandwich was downed, I was ready to roll.
I got there, got signed in and the rest was just a waiting game. I did down a GU Gel before the race and took one along with me (which I ended up using around mile 7). Those things REALLY helped out. I totally recommend them.
I honestly didn’t start wearing out until mile 9. The rest was pure determination to finish. I had set an “out loud” goal of finishing in 2:20. My “inside” goal was actually 2:10. And I DID IT! I finished with a time of 2:10:27! I came in 848th out of 1297 people, so that was good enough for me! I do intend on improving that time, but I first just had to tackle the THOUGHT of running 13 miles!
Needless to say, hearing about the bombings at the Boston Marathon yesterday really hit home. Why would anyone want to attack people doing something so innocent and harmless? Do people not have any sense of humanity these days? All I can say is, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones and the injured.
I loved my cute little place cards made by my friend 
It was a lovely day for the party. Oh, and there was one more pic… I thought it looked like it could be used for a Pretty Little Liars cover! Ha! Toodle loo! Top of the mornin’ to ya!
