8K Recap

S aturday morning I woke up bright and early at 6:00 AM. Err, I mean, I set my alarm for 6:00, but woke up at 6:40. It's my own fault for not setting two alarms.

That's okay; I still had plenty of time to get ready for my race. It was drizzling out and I was worried that it would start storming, but luckily the rain held off. My boyfriend, Eric (maybe you've heard me mention him before), drove me to the race while I ate peanut butter mini bagels and iced coffee for energy.

The race was held at Panera bread in Springfield, and the parking lot was PACKED with many runners. Apparently there were four hundred people who ran. A lot of them looked really professional and I felt out of place. I picked up my registration packet with my number and shoe clip. But guess what? They ran out of T-shirts. And I registered two weeks ago. I was very disappointed since this was the first race I've ever ran. The organizers said "If" they order more, they'd contact me to come pick one up.

Eric snapped some pictures of me getting ready for the race.


Lucky number 60!


Then it was time for the race to start. Unwillingly, Eric let me kiss him before I left for the starting line. ;)
I shouted, "Just let me kiss you!! Hold still!"
Then he started crying.


He sat and waited for me the whole time while I was running. Isn't that sweet? Thank you, boyfriend.

The race started and all of the people began running pretty fast. I was a little worried about how fast everyone was going. I ran with a few friends from work for a little while, and then they went on a different course for the 5K.

The race course went through some hilly neighborhoods and onto some trails as well. It was very pretty and I didn't mind running in the rain at all. I felt good and strong throughout the whole race and didn't get tired at all. The only thing I didn't like was there were no mile markers so I had no idea how far I had ran. Maybe that was a good thing though?? Before I knew it, I could see the finish line in the distance.


Action shot. Just look at that form!

I started running faster and faster, because I knew I'd have to hurry to make it in fifty minutes. What really made me run faster was the table full of bagels, cookies and croissants at the finish line.



And... I did it! I ran five miles in fifty minutes! That's not that great of a time, but it's not bad for a first race. I think. That's what I tell myself anyway.

Then I had some blueberry bagel sticks to replenish my carbs. I love blueberry bagels SO MUCH. I wish they had the cinnamon crunch bagels though - they're incredible. I went back for more bagel sticks. And then I went back for more and took them home with me.

So that's that. I ran a race! I can check that off of my to-do list. Next on my to-do list: learn to fly fish.