5King it

My first 5K was October 2009.  It was a hot, humid October morning, and I had only been trying to run for about four or five weeks.  Even though I was overweight, I walked a lot and figured I could handle it with no problem.  In the end, I handled it ok and was satisfied with my time, but it was not as fun as I had hoped it would be.  However, I enjoyed the company.  My husband was with me the whole time and encouraged me.  It was also for a good cause, breast cancer awareness.  My coworkers were there and we all cheered for each other.

I kind of thought I would keep up the running and get better, but I didn't.  I let it slide and wasn't very motivated.  Fast forward two years, and I'm trying to give running another try.  When I say I run, I use that term loosely.  I start out walking, do a little running, switch back to walking and then run a little more.  This October, I did another 5K with the Puddin' and the Taff's.  Again, I didn't have a strategy except to run the down hills and walk the up hills.  On one of the up hills, I was passed by a walker.  She was booking it up the hill.  I finally got to the point where I started running again.  I finished second in my age group. (A benefit of having a milestone birthday this year is moving up an age bracket in these events.) When the awards were given out, I felt a tinge of disappointment with myself.  The impressive walker on the hill that passed me was the lady who finished first in our division.

Becca, E and I before the 5K.  Wesley did not get to run it because he volunteered during the event.  Puddin and E were running buddies for the day.

Last weekend, we participated in another 5K with the Taff's.  It was a school system sponsored 5K in their city.  Wesley got to run this week.  He had an impressive time of twenty three minutes.  I can't even imagine running that quickly.  This time, we all received medals for finishing first in our divisions.  
I finished under my goal time, and I didn't get passed at the end by somebody making a move!  I'm not a pro by any means, but I'm starting to understand the runner's high that I've always heard about.