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Enz and I on the shuttle bus before the race. That's Bev in the back...and Tanya's pearly whites!
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Bev kicked ass!
She broke her tail bone 5 weeks ago and completed her 1st 5k a good 2:20 ahead of me! |
Well, I made it through my very first race...and I
LOVED it! It is completely addicting and I can't wait to do it again. My next race is already this Saturday, the Hazel 5k in Mississauga. I don't know what I loved more. The overall energy of the race, or just the fact that I completed it without dying. There was a pretty long incline and a very steep hill that had a sharp turn. So there was a good chance of cardiac arrest during the run. But I did not falter, I finished!
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| Me, Bev, Pauline, Willy Wonka, Enz and Tanya before the race. |
I was waiting all last night for my official chip time, since I was given a chip for my shoe. They didn't record chip times. My gun time was 45:28, but we were in back and didn't cross the start line until about 1:40 after the gun time.
Enz worked out our race time to be about 43:49. Which I'm very happy with. It's better than any of the practice runs we did. And really not bad for someone who could barely run a minute 8 weeks ago. If I can learn to run and compete in a 5k eight weeks after my first running clinic, anyone can! Don't forget, I'm the person who swore I hated all forms of exercise only two months ago.
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| Just before gun time. |
We had such a fun day on Sunday. There was tons of chocolate! Chocolate croissants and milk for recovery...and water/Gatorade and chocolate covered marshmallows and strawberries at the aid station. And with your medal, you were given three coupons you could redeem in the village for truffles, a brownie and a chocolate martini. Needless to say, no chocolate of any kind touched my lips. My running girls were more than happy to eat my share.
I think the absolute most exhilarating moment was crossing the finish line. People are lined up along the route, cheering you on, and they announce your name when you cross. Just before Enz and I crossed, this 10 year old girl, just flew by us. Unfortunately for us, the official photographer shot her and missed us. I'm not too sad about that. I do not make pleasant facial expression when I run.
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The swag. Medal and t-shirt after the race.
I came in 77/103 for my age group and 334/441 overall. I wasn't last!!!!!!!!! |
Enz and I ran again tonight, in the rain. We almost ran 4k and did pretty good time. Not bad for an after race run. Running in the rain chills me right to my bones. I can't seem to get warm afterwards. Enz is such a supportive and inspirational friend. If it wasn't for her, and my good luck of meeting her through the blogging world, I would never have begun running. Running has really become a part of my life and I'm so blessed that I found something that I love to do. I'm not the best, or fastest runner, but I don't care. I will get stronger and lighter which will make me faster. I have accomplished so much in the past 7 1/2 months, that nothing is going to stop me now.
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| My good friend and inspiration! |
