I did it! After 8 weeks of training, I finished my first 10K (6.2 mile) race today in the Run Through Redlands! Oh my goodness...it was so awesome! I've never run in a race before. Actually...I've never really been much of a 'runner' until I started training for this one, but it was so neat! I really feel a sense of accomplishment tonight as I type! What a good feeling!
My adrenaline was pumping so hard from the moment I bolted out of bed at 5:15am! My race began at 7:35 and I so surprised to see how many people were there to participate! I guess it was a record turn out this year...upwards of 3000 participants! Whoa! There was a 5k, a 10k and a half marathon. We each started at different times.
I was happy to run into our friends Shawn and Jamie just before the race began, and even happier to learn that Shawn was running the 10K too, so I had a buddy to wait with me at the starting line and to help ease my nerves! That adrenaline is a crazy thing! As I began the race, it seemed as though my thighs might give way underneath me from the jitters. It took me a good mile and a half to finally get into my groove and from that point on, all was well!
Here is Shawn and I just as we started...
How awesome it was to hear (even over the music pumping through my Ipod!) the thumping of all those feet on the pavement all around me! Ty hustled around with the kids to several spots along the route to cheer me on! It totally bolstered my spirits to see them (and a few others...thanks Sarah, Meemaw and Jackie!) along the way!
Sarah caught this one of me as I was cresting one of the final hills...
I think the coolest part of the entire run came towards the end, in the last mile stretch when our 10K route meshed in with the runners from the 5K, and I could look out onto the sea of runners and walkers ahead of me. I was quite tired at that point, and it just so happened that my the song that began playing on my Ipod was Lincoln Brewster's Everlasting God. At the end of the song, a little girl comes on and recites Isaiah 40:28-31
Krystal, my parents and our neighbors Kristin and Bill were there along with Ty and the kids to meet me at the finish line! It meant so much to me to have people out there to support me! It really boosted my spirits! After my race, Luke got to participate in a Kinderdash for his age bracket, so we lingered around for awhile to watch the kidlets run and to cheer Luke on when it was his turn! He was delighted and was SOOO proud of himself when it was all over! He even got a little metal! :) So cute!
Can't forget about our Belly-Boo, who was SO good for us through all the waiting around! Maybe that sucker had something to do with that?!
After the race was completed, I was able to check all the stats online. They provided little tabs that we each wore on our shoe that clocked our individual time, so I was able to see my precise time. I completed the race in 1:01:09 at an average pace of 9:51 per mile. (I have to add in, so I don't forget, that I ran nearly the entire course...I only walked 10 steps at the top of the final hill to catch my breath!) There were 592 10k runners in total, and I came in #242. Of those 592, 334 of us were women, and of those women, I came in 90/334....the top 26%! AND....of those 334 women, 54 were in my age bracket of 31-34. Of those women in my age bracket, I came in 14/54...the top 25%! I was pleased with that!
We spent the rest of the day relaxing mostly, with a quick little trip down to visit Meemaw. Surprisingly, I felt really good most of the day...I was energetic and happy! Honestly, I felt like someone gave me happy drugs all day! If that is what endorphins do, I want me some more of those! :) LOL! Ty kept asking me how I was feeling and kept warning me that I might hit a wall. And at about 4:30pm, I finally did! LOL! I suddenly felt so tired that I could hardly move a muscle! Not a mental tired...but one that just overtakes your body....a warm, content, blissful exhaustion! So as my sweet hubby prepared dinner, I took a catnap on the couch and rested. He is so good to me! Today definitely wouldn't have been possible if it hadn't been for his willingness to help me with the kids these last several weeks, encourage me when I didn't feel much like running and then to be my 'support team' today for the race. I love you, sweetie! Thank you so very much!
Overall, this running thing has been an awesome experience....definitely one worth repeating! Iris Festival 10K....here I come! :)
I was happy to run into our friends Shawn and Jamie just before the race began, and even happier to learn that Shawn was running the 10K too, so I had a buddy to wait with me at the starting line and to help ease my nerves! That adrenaline is a crazy thing! As I began the race, it seemed as though my thighs might give way underneath me from the jitters. It took me a good mile and a half to finally get into my groove and from that point on, all was well!
Here is Shawn and I just as we started...
How awesome it was to hear (even over the music pumping through my Ipod!) the thumping of all those feet on the pavement all around me! Ty hustled around with the kids to several spots along the route to cheer me on! It totally bolstered my spirits to see them (and a few others...thanks Sarah, Meemaw and Jackie!) along the way!
Sarah caught this one of me as I was cresting one of the final hills...
I think the coolest part of the entire run came towards the end, in the last mile stretch when our 10K route meshed in with the runners from the 5K, and I could look out onto the sea of runners and walkers ahead of me. I was quite tired at that point, and it just so happened that my the song that began playing on my Ipod was Lincoln Brewster's Everlasting God. At the end of the song, a little girl comes on and recites Isaiah 40:28-31
"The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the Earth. He never grows weak or weary; no one can measure the depth of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaust; but those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."How cool is that?! Thank you, Lord for that timely encouragement! It was certainly a moment I will not soon forget! What an awesome day!
Krystal, my parents and our neighbors Kristin and Bill were there along with Ty and the kids to meet me at the finish line! It meant so much to me to have people out there to support me! It really boosted my spirits! After my race, Luke got to participate in a Kinderdash for his age bracket, so we lingered around for awhile to watch the kidlets run and to cheer Luke on when it was his turn! He was delighted and was SOOO proud of himself when it was all over! He even got a little metal! :) So cute!
Can't forget about our Belly-Boo, who was SO good for us through all the waiting around! Maybe that sucker had something to do with that?!
After the race was completed, I was able to check all the stats online. They provided little tabs that we each wore on our shoe that clocked our individual time, so I was able to see my precise time. I completed the race in 1:01:09 at an average pace of 9:51 per mile. (I have to add in, so I don't forget, that I ran nearly the entire course...I only walked 10 steps at the top of the final hill to catch my breath!) There were 592 10k runners in total, and I came in #242. Of those 592, 334 of us were women, and of those women, I came in 90/334....the top 26%! AND....of those 334 women, 54 were in my age bracket of 31-34. Of those women in my age bracket, I came in 14/54...the top 25%! I was pleased with that!
We spent the rest of the day relaxing mostly, with a quick little trip down to visit Meemaw. Surprisingly, I felt really good most of the day...I was energetic and happy! Honestly, I felt like someone gave me happy drugs all day! If that is what endorphins do, I want me some more of those! :) LOL! Ty kept asking me how I was feeling and kept warning me that I might hit a wall. And at about 4:30pm, I finally did! LOL! I suddenly felt so tired that I could hardly move a muscle! Not a mental tired...but one that just overtakes your body....a warm, content, blissful exhaustion! So as my sweet hubby prepared dinner, I took a catnap on the couch and rested. He is so good to me! Today definitely wouldn't have been possible if it hadn't been for his willingness to help me with the kids these last several weeks, encourage me when I didn't feel much like running and then to be my 'support team' today for the race. I love you, sweetie! Thank you so very much!
Overall, this running thing has been an awesome experience....definitely one worth repeating! Iris Festival 10K....here I come! :)
5 comments:
That is so awesome! You did an amazing job! You are definitely motivating me to get my tush off the couch :-)
Looks like it was a beautiful day for a run.
time to sign up for a half marathon! i've done 4 and they are amazing! carolyn (from LLU child life and now, "just for moms") is a marathon runner. she's done several marathons and half marathons... as was there with you on sunday!
i started training for my first half marathon and had NEVER (and i do mean NEVER) run a mile. i was the girl who had the mom who would write me notes to be exempt because i had, "cramps," or a "sprained ankle..."
and it feels so good to know that anyone can run. it's just one foot in front of the other. and training is running just a little farther than your last run!
you go girl! way to go!!!!
now... i want to recruit you to be a camp counselor at a weekend bereavement camp called "comfort zone camp." you'd be awesome and they're always looking for qualified volunteers. check it out: www.comfortzonecamp.com i spent last weeked there and it changed my life!!!!!!!
melinda
Great job Kris!
GREAT JOB!! 10k is no easy feat and you made great time. You should be very proud of yourself. Have you heard about the IRONGIRL 5k/10k? It's in June at the Del Mar racetrack. It's an all women run/walk with everyone rooting eachother on. I heard it is very empowering.
Thats so Awsome Kris...I am so happy for you. what an accomplishment!! The Napa Tri is in May and I super nervous..not sure if I'll chicken out yet....On another note what is the website for Angel again? I wanted to share it with my mom....hope all is well Ya'll look so BEAUTIFUL!! xioxooxo Jenny
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