Race Day....One Down, Many More to Go.

Well, today was race day. I had been working towards this day for awhile. I know it was only a 5k, but it marked my foray into the world of "racing".

I was a bit nervous last night, partly because it was the night before my first race, but also because events had conspired against me in the last couple of weeks that really limited my running. It seems like everyone here has been sick (Wife, check. Oldest daughter, partial check. Baby, BIG check (pneumonia). Me, check there, too unfortunately.) As a result, the baby hasn't been sleeping well and the efforts to get up in the morning and run proved unsuccessful. Part of me feels really guilty for the lack of running the past couple weeks, but then again, Life happens. I think I've only ran two or three times in the past couple weeks total, so I felt justified in being nervous.

Initially when I started running and decided that I was going to run in the race, my goal was to finish in under 35 minutes. As I progressed a little in my "training" I moved that goal to wanting to finish in under 30 minutes. This seemed to be a bit in jeopardy, what with the lack of preparation the past couple weeks.

I felt good this morning; the gunk in my chest wasn't too bad and I could breathe, so there was hope. The race was in a little forest preserve here in town, and I got there about a half hour early to warm up, etc. When I got there I found several members of my family waiting, and found out that my cousin, her husband, and my aunt were all entered into the race. Which was good, since I would have someone to run with, but I also felt some pressure, as I didn't want to be holding anyone back.

There were a decent number of runners for our little town (I saw numbers into the 300's), all of whom were there to run in support of the town's efforts to get a new (SORELY needed) library. I started off towards the back of the pack, but in front of the walkers. Brandon, my cousin's husband, decided he was going to stick with me, so it was nice to have someone to hang with. I started out fairly quickly (I think about a 9 minute mile pace, if that can be called quick) and seemed to be going along pretty well. Now, we don't have a lot of hills here in Illinois, but it seemed that there were a good number of them on this course. At least enough to make parts of the run really burn. Anyway, about the time we hit the halfway point we ran into the first of the runners coming back. THAT was a little disheartening. Kinda like when watching the Olympic Marathon trials, and seeing how seemingly effortless those guys were running. And then you realize that they're running 4:30 miles. That's just sick.

Before long we hit the 2 mile mark, and I was starting to feel it a bit. My pace had dropped to about 9:45 per mile and my thighs were burning a bit. As we got to the 2.6 mile mark or so, Brandon said that he needed to walk for a minute, and, while I didn't WANT to, I sure needed to. We walked for about a tenth of a mile or so then put on our last push to the finish. Our family was waiting for us at the finish, cheering us on, all except the baby who was asleep on mom's shoulder. Finish time 29:09.7. I know that my Nike + says I finished in 30:38, but to be honest, I was having a bit of trouble pushing the buttons by the end. Being focused and all, you know. So I made my goal, and am happy with that, but if I hadn't walked may have come in a little bit faster. Next time, I guess.

After the race there was a pancake breakfast, and we all sat down to some pancakes and sausage. And I had my first taste of Accelerade. I had picked some up at the store, having seen ads for it, and thought I'd give it a try post run to see how it was. Mango Peach sounded good at the store, so I picked it up. When i tasted it at first, it tasted like something, but I wasn't sure for a second what. Until I realized that I kinda thought it tasted like I threw up a little in my mouth. Not the most pleasant taste. Kinda like a little verp. Guess we'll pass on the Mango Peach next time, though I still have a bottle of Fruit Punch in the fridge. Should be interesting.

On a Star Wars note (it IS called Jedi Dad, after all). Found out this week that I did NOT win the raffle for the set of Gentle Giant Clone Commander mini busts that I really wanted, but my friend, who I turned on to GG, BTW, did. Gotta say I'm a little pissed? jealous? some not so pleasant feeling? that he won. Oh, well. I'll save my rant on the wonderful "business" practices of the Gentle Giant company for another time.

Later, folks. And thanks for the shout out, Sis!! Just in case you didn't already know, I'm proud of you too!!