Another item checked off my 30 before 30 list, Participate in a 5k. On Sunday Morning, I ran as part of an all girls team in the Twin Cities Color Run. It raised money for a charity called Open Your Hearts to the Hungry & Homeless – Website Here. It was 90 degrees at 9:45 AM when we started the race through the fairgrounds, but I was easily distracted by the colorful world around me to let the heat bug me too much. I ran almost the whole time (for just 2 blocks towards the end, I slowed to a walk, but sped back up again).
Please remember that until Sunday, the longest I have run since high school was about 1.5 miles and that was a struggle. I’ve been doing the couch to 5k plan with my mom and we’re only 4 weeks into a 10 week plan. However, the best big sister (in law) in the world has something I admire, persistence. That sounds like an annoying trait, but it’s not. I’m grateful for it. She has become wildly addicted to running 5k races (what an unhealthy addiction, geez) and has been asking me to sign up for one. You can only tell the nicest person in the world “no” a certain amount of times before you’re forced to take a look in the mirror and understand why you are afraid. I either had to say “yes” this time or tell her that I was too afraid, out of shape and self-conscious to participate in a fun run with her.
There is no good way to explain the race, so this will be more visual. Enjoy!
Once I hit the finish line, I thought I would be so exhausted, but I drank two bottles of water and walked around a little so my legs wouldn’t stiffen up and then I got a second wind. I honestly felt like I could run the race all over again, but instead I went to Schroeder’s and treated myself to 2 mimosas, a beer, scrambled eggs and two pieces of wheat toast with Strawberry Jelly. We saw Spiderman in the theater (I couldn’t be in a well lit public place even after my second shower) and then ordered pizza & watched Overboard at home. It was such a great day.
Fast forward to today… I am so happy that I did the race. I am a little sore and have had 2 showers, been attacked by the hose and used baby wipes and there are still a few traces of color left on my body. I had so much fun with Holly & her friends. She honestly is one of the easiest people in the whole world to be around. I am so lucky. Thanks Holly for helping me check one off my list (I don’t think this will be my last race) and thanks Justin for coming to cheer us on and take lots of pics and thanks to the other ladies for not making me feel totally lame on my first attempt at running in a “race.” It’s on to my next adventure…
