Neon 5k

The next race that I did was only a 5k.  It was an unexpected race.  I had several friends that were running and since I am always running in the race, I  thought it would be awesome to watch and cheer on the runners.  Who am I kidding?  Once a runner always a runner. 

We have a group of middle school aged kids that run with a team called Kicking Up Asphalt.  It is awesome seeing kids getting into the fitness world.  I was talking with one of the leaders in charge at the rec and asked if they needed more runners.  I was thrilled to be honest that they allowed me to run with me.  I rushed home real quick and changed clothes.  Since I was in a hurry, I grabbed my old running shoes for two reasons.  Like I mentioned I was in a hurry and two I wanted to see if my ankle would give me problems with my feet.  Got up to the start line and it was so funny to see the kids getting ready to start.

They were all lined at together and once we were told to go they started sprinting.  As most of you know, the first piece of advice that many people give first time runners is what?  Correct.  Don't take off too fast.  Not even 2/10 of a mile in the kids started dropping back. So I took my time and met up with 3 girls.  They were doing awesome!!!  Come to find out they attend the church that I do and we were able to chat a little bit while running.  Then we come to the hill.  When I first started running, I will be honest I dreaded hill.  Quite frankly I was terrified of them.  Trying to maintain my pace and not overdo it going up was a hard and what seemed like an impossible task to accomplish.  So this is part of the reason that I started to encourage them to keep moving and that they had it.  At this point, one of the girls was complaining about her legs hurting.

Every runner was a beginner at one time and can't certainly sympathize with them at this point.  I kept reminding them that once they made it up this hill that it was all downhill from there. They did great but my goodness.  Trying to keep up with middle aged kids running downhill was not an easy task.  I don't think that I have ever focused more on my breathing than at that particular moment.  I was so proud of them when they crossed the finish line.  When I looked at the clock, it was 31:03.  Certainly not my best but I was focused on the kids and they did great.

After I finished and caught my breath, I went out and was helping to bring in the other runners that were still finishing.  Running along side them till they got close to the finish line and then heading back.  After most of the runners finished, I went out to see if there was anyone else left.  I was able to meet a great person.  He was pushing through till the end and he never gave up.  When he got close to the finish line, he grabbed a torch and ran with it across the finish line.  About everyone was cheering for him at the finish line and that was an amazing thing to be a part of it.  I am so proud of him and each and every kid that finished.  You had the courage to start and finished with strength.  Keep going and you are already great in my book.

Sometimes running isn't about the best times that you have but the lessons you can pass down to others.  You never know what difference you can make in someone's life by just talking to them at the start or finish line.  Maybe in your case encouraging someone along the way on the course.  Whatever the case may be, you can be an inspiration to others.  How will you use it?

So until next time.

Ran a 10k & all I got was a dam rock

Hey guys!!  Sorry that is seems like I am not posting as much as I did when training for my half marathons.  I am currently trying to take a break from running and focus more on my weight training and core work.  I am hoping this will help me to be a better runner.  In the meantime, I have completed two races.  One was a 10k and the other was a 5k.  In this post,  I will talk about the 10k that I did a week ago.

The 10k was at a dam in here in town and was put on by a couple of people from our church. I had been keeping an eye on the weather and cringing every time I checked it.  It was looking like it was going to be a crisp 25 degrees when the race started and that was at 8 in the morning.  Race day came and sure enough it was around 25 degrees.  Freezing cold and to be honest, I questioned my sanity.  I have run 3 half marathons to date and I was beginning to wonder if I had really lost my mind running in below freezing temperatures.  Because of who I am, I still got dressed in pants, a sweat shirt, a hate and headed to the start line with all the other runners. 

I know one thing for sure was that I need to go shopping for winter running clothes.  What I wore that morning was just not cutting it.  I got maybe half a mile in and my toes were numb.  If I didn't know better, I would have thought they fell off.  It took probably 2 miles or so before I could feel them.  In between my toes warming up, my nose was running with no end in site.  With the way my nose felt, I would have thought that I was Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  Eventually I was able to feel about everything. 

As I have mentioned before, I have had ankle issues and was really hoping and praying that I wouldn't have any issues during this run and that was not the case. A little bit before mile 4, I was trying my hardest to run and pop my ankle by swinging it to the side and twisting it all this while running.  I am sure that I was a site to see.  I just couldn't take it anymore by this time and I had to stop and pop it.  I learned then that if I stopped and popped it when it first started hurting that I was able to do alright. I still came in a good time.  Placed 2nd in my age group and the medals were a rock from the dam.  Hence the title of this post. :)  I had one of the best runs that I have had in a long time and there were numerous things that contributed to that. 

I am just thankful that I am able to run so until next time.