Karen Squared

I was a bundle of nerves on race day. The weather was cold and rainy until shortly before the race started and I was glad the rain stopped for the race. I don’t mind running in the rain when it’s warm but I was already cold and getting soaked wasn’t going to help that any.

Ready, Set, Go! I started close to the back. Less people to pass me that way.

I passed the lady in the green shortly after the race started and she promptly passed me a few minutes later. That’s me behind her in the white shirt. I struggled to keep up with her for the rest of the race and got it in my head that I was going to pass her again right at the end.

I did everything I said I wasn’t going to do. I ran faster than my normal pace trying to keep up with other people even though there was a good chance I would burn out before the end of the race. I also do much better with a one minute walking break at the mile marks and though I did make myself walk twice, I could only last 20 seconds or so before I had to run again. Hearing people behind you catching up made it hard for me to walk.

Coming into the finish line. You’ll note I managed to pass the lady in green.

Crossing the finish line! The adrenaline rush during the whole race was unreal!

I did it! And cried like a baby when it was over. My time was 32:08 and about 3 minutes faster than I was able to run it on my own. I finished #183 out of 242 runners but the results only have the times for 210 runners posted. I have no idea why that is because they announced they had 242 people running.  I came in 9th out of 15 in my division and I was on cloud nine all day yesterday. I’m hoping that I will be less concerned with other people and less nervous for my next race. But I finished and I wasn’t last or second to the last or third to the last, so I made my goals! It was a good first race!

I signed up for my first 5K run for this Sunday. Running a 5K has been a goal of mine since last year and after many injuries and then a broken foot I am finally going to do it. I am unbelievably nervous. I don’t know why I am this nervous. It’s not like I am trying out for the Olympics or something. But I am, very nervous that is. And I’m sure it’s going to get worse the closer it gets. One of my fears is being last. I don’t want to be last. I know someone has to be last, I just don’t want it to be me. To be honest, I don’t want to be second or third to the last either. I guess anything after that is OK. I’ve looked up finishing times in my age group from previous races and they are so much faster than me! How do people my age run that fast? I can’t imagine ever running that fast. And my second fear is not being able to finish. I was advised from another runner to just run my own race. If I let all the people passing me, and there will be many, to get to me I will try to run faster than I am able and burn out before it’s over. So I guess those are my goals. I want to finish and not be last or second to the last or third to the last. Simple goals, right? Ha.

So anyway, I’ll let you all know how I do. Or if I never bring this up again you can assume that it didn’t go well and I am upset and don’t want to talk about it. OK?

Have a great weekend!